Chris McNulty

Internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Chris McNulty returns to the Jazz Lab after her quintet’s scintillating performance this past November (see excerpt from jazz writer Ian Muldoon’s review below).

McNulty’s warm, soulful sound and liquid phrasing melds seamlessly across a wide range of styles and idioms.

From Sarah Vaughan to Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald she traverses songs from the great American songbook to more modern and modal approaches to instrumental material from Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner and James Williams along with several penned by McNulty herself.

Well known for creating an effortless synergy with her musicians, McNulty has been weaving her special brand of magic and captivating audiences worldwide for decades while on the international touring circuit. Whether it be her mesmerizing ballad singing, jubilant brand of swing or high flying improvisations, lovers of jazz are in for an enthralling listening experience.

McNulty will be joined by Melbourne jazz stalwart Phillip Rex (bass) along with young guns Russell Tay (piano), Matt Hoyne (guitar) and special guest Felix Bloxsom (drums)

“McNulty has a refined musical intelligence, deep understanding, leadership and communication skills, mastery of the bebop idiom after the likes of Vaughan, O’Day, and Carter, diction that rivals Sinatra’s….and complete control of the ballad with an emotional wallop of lived experience. The highlight of the evening was ‘Passion Dance’ (McCoy Tyner). I was startled by the power of this performance – the harmony, the rhythm, the energy of the band playing like their lives depended on it, the melody. Anthony Newley’s ‘There’s No Such Thing As Love’ was memorable for McNulty’s great ability to tell a story, with perfect diction, engaging tone and expressive range. It was quite a performance. It was a programme chosen with such care and intelligence – old, new, popular, classic, original, standard, swing, ballad – it was like a degustation of jazz vocal at its most inviting and satisfying.” –– Ian Muldoon, jazz writer – EricMyersjazz.com

“…the McNulty gig remained one of the best-kept secrets of the Festival….for me this provided some real Festival highlights over the several nights I heard them… a really strong swinging New York band from note one! McNulty was in great form out front, using tone and every possible nuance to enhance her expression, while always swinging. It is interesting to note that this was the one group which I heard in the Festival (and I heard most of them) which actually delivered such a joyous and irresistible swing that one’s foot had to move!” –– M. Jackson, Jazz Australia

“An absolute showstopper was a duet of guitar and vocal for the Burt Bacharach composition “Make It Easy on Yourself” where, at a slow tempo, McNulty wove a soulful descant on the melody over soft guitar chords to frame the song with a quiet, poignant delicacy. It was a showcase of world- class talent and professionalism.” –– John McBeath, the Advertiser