ARTIST REVIEWS DESCRIPTION

Nora McCarthy performs in every setting from a voice and saxophone duo to a twenty-piece orchestra. Her original compositions and arrangements are stunning works of art and include graphic compositions, soundscapes, and poetic architectures.

Nora McCarthy is indeed a remarkable figure in the New York jazz scene. Her unique and original style has made her a prominent vocalist, composer, improviser, and poet. With a burnished alto voice, she blends classic jazz and rhythm & blues traditions, creating a sound that is both spiritual and deeply rooted in post-bop jazz.

Nora's performances are known for their emotional intensity and technical brilliance, making her a standout artist in the jazz community.

Her ability to interpret lyrics with exquisite phrasing and emotional depth has often drawn comparisons to the legendary Jimmy Scott. McCarthy’s contributions to jazz are not just limited to her performances; she is also a prolific composer and poet, adding rich layers to her musical expressions.

Nora McCarthy’s approach to improvisation is deeply rooted in her understanding of jazz traditions and her spiritual connection to music, making her performances truly captivating. Here are some key aspects of her improvisational style:

- Emotional Expression: McCarthy emphasizes conveying deep emotions through her improvisations. She often draws on personal experiences and feelings, making each performance unique and heartfelt.

- Technical Mastery: Her improvisations showcase her technical skills, including her control over pitch, rhythm, and dynamics. This allows her to explore a wide range of musical ideas spontaneously.

- Spiritual Connection: McCarthy’s improvisations are influenced by the spirituality of post-bop jazz. She seeks to create a transcendent experience for both herself and her audience, often drawing inspiration from the great instrumentalists and vocalists of the genre.

- Collaborative Interaction: She values the interplay with other musicians during live performances. Her improvisations often respond to and build upon the contributions of her fellow artists, creating a dynamic and interactive musical conversation.

- Poetic Influence: As a poet, McCarthy integrates lyrical and narrative elements into her improvisations. This adds a layer of storytelling and poetic expression to her music.

Everyone who hears this lady perform agrees she is one of the great ones! An original voice with a vast depth of emotion and a unique song stylist and improviser, her three and a half octave range allows her to soar effortlessly over complex harmonic and melodic passages dazzling, capturing and holding the rapt attention of her listeners. Her hard swinging style and bluesy approach is as exciting as it is sensual. An outstanding communicator and interpreter of the lyric, Nora's trademark phrasing and incredible rhythmic sense puts an identifiable stamp on everything she sings. It is obvious to all her fans that she enjoys what she does. Her enlivening performances brings spontaneous burst of joyful enthusiasm from the audience that she expertly engages on an intimate and personal level - she knows how to please! A true veteran of the jazz idiom, Nora embodies the history of the music. She is one of those rare birds who is both musician and singer and the respect she gets from her fellow musicians is obvious proof - she is as comfortable in front of the orchestra as she is a member of the orchestra. Those who have heard her comment that she is "in the music". A gifted composer, lyricist and poet, Nora McCarthy is an exciting and non-generic cutting-edge vocalist to be aware of. "THE REAL DEAL!" ......Steve Cannon, Founder of The Gathering of the Tribes, literary magazine and a multi-cultural interdisciplinary arts organization on the lower east side, Manhattan, NY.

"COMPLETE PASSION...ABSOLUTE CREATIVITY...TOTAL CONFIDENCE!" ...Niranjan Jhaveri, Jazz critic, author, lecturer, educator, panelist and organizer (director) of JazzYatra Festivals - Founder of Jazz India Vocal Institute (JIVI)

CIRCLE COMPLETING

Circle Completing is a collection of some treasured jazz standards; a gutsy blues, "Little Red Rooster", performed by the legendary Sam Cooke and later by the Rolling Stones; a beautiful rendition of "To Be With You", made famous by singer Jimmy Sabater, formerly with the Joe Cuba Sextet (Gilberto Miguel Calderon), in 1957; three originals penned by McCarthy: "In The Early Morning Light", a free improvised poetry piece; "Faith in Time", a tribute to the great jazz vocal legend Jimmy Scott; and, "Life Is A Song To Sing", McCarthy's inspired and uplifting anthem. A special treat is the unexpected, "Ke Kali Nei Au...the Hawaiian Weddin Song", sung with a prayer-like reverence, it is an homage to Nora's three Hawaiian sons and her love of the music of Hawaii. Nora is accompanied on this CD most intuitively by one of New York's finest musicians, pianist, John diMartino, who also played on McCarthy's first CD, red&blue. Circle Completing is sung in the rich tradition reminiscent of the grea t balladeers from the early Jazz and Rhythm & Blues era that McCarthy grew up listening to fused with a modern approach and an eye to the future reflecting Nora's current involvement and intrigue with the creative and free ,music art forms giving Circle Completing a contemporary feel. It is the progeny of that union, Nora’s original compositions, that gives Circle Completingits distinct voice and what makes her a unique and dynamic vocal artist in the world of jazz and creative music today.