Chris McNulty Quintet

Australian-American jazz vocalist-composer Chris McNulty returns to The JazzLab after recently recording her first album in a decade. She will be joined by the exceptional ensemble of Brett Williams, Ben Robertson, Lewis Pierre and Carl Mackey, all of whom are featured on Chris’s new release. While she won’t be unveiling all the music from this next outing (release date December 2025), there’s a distinct possibility that audiences will be given a sneak preview of what’s to come!

Chris McNulty – voice

Brett Williams – piano

Ben Robertson – bass

Lewis Pierre – drums

Carl Mackey – saxophones

Review quotes:

“If McNulty’s vocalizing is fearless, then her writing is peerless….her explorations seem to transcend to a free zone between jazz and modern symphonic….There is so much to commend about the album: above all, the versatile, soothing, swimming voice of Australian-born McNulty; her writing and arranging skills.  The musical diversity on display is equally impressive” standards sprinkled throughout; rarities by Jobim, Bernstein, and Thad Jones; a surprise guest appearance by Frank Wess, whose tenor timbre is remarkably similar to McNulty’s.  This, her 6th album, should not merely be listened to but carefully digested.”  — Jazz Times – Harvey Siders, January  2007 USA

“…the singer’s story-telling gift has you hanging on every phrase. She also contributes a brace of songs – the first, the hauntingly beautiful “Letter to Marta”…the second “Long Road Home – The Song That Sings You Here”, features jazz singing of the highest order. McNulty has never sounded more at ease with her mastery.” –– Peter Quinn, March 2013  — Jazz Wise UK

“Does she ever swing! In the charged company of her small band, McNulty proves worthy of a frontline instrument on rhythm tunes and bright tempos. The delicate melodic improvising [she} floats on Horace Silver’s “Lonely Woman” is focused and finely wrought. McNulty plays with rhythm authoritatively; there’s not a hesitant note or second guessed choice to be heard. Her own title tune is a quietly intense lover’s plea wrapped in liquid glisses and keening rhythm.” Kirk Silsbee, April 2013  Downbeat 4 stars **** 

“… a terrific ability to trace serpentine routes. On “Lonely Woman” and “Last Night When We Were Young” she tempers the prevailing melancholy with an undercurrent of hope-fueled anticipation, resulting in a fascinating sense of looking simultaneously backward and forward.” — Christopher Loudon, March 2013,  Jazz Times

“Exquisite….McNulty applies poignant jazz chops… while accomplishing the impossible, the expression of her story through song….making listeners rethink the meaning of why we love jazz..” — 5 Stars ***** Blaine Fallis, All About Jazz, July 2015  USA

 “McNulty has a refined musical intelligence, deep understanding and mastery of the bebop idiom and complete control of the ballad with an emotional wallop of lived experience.  Her great ability to tell a story, with perfect diction, engaging tone and expressive range combined with a programme chosen with such care and intelligence – old, new, popular, classic, original, standard, swing, ballad – was a degustation of jazz vocal at its most inviting and satisfying.” — Ian Muldoon, Eric Myers Jazz – December 2023

TICKETING INFORMATION; PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

ONLINE TICKET PRICE: Concession – $35 / General Admission – $40

DOOR TICKET PRICE: Concession – $40 / General Admission – $45