Chris McNulty

Chris McNulty arrived in NYC in 1988 with the support of an international study grant from the Australia Council, originally hailing from Melbourne, Australia. She has released 7 recordings. Her most recent, “The Song that Sings You Here” (Challenge Records 2012), is the 2013 recipient of the prestigious, Australian Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album along with 4 and 5 star reviews in Downbeat, Jazz Journal, The Irish Times among others.Chris is currently in post production working on a chamber orchrestra project in collaboration with Australian arranger/orchestrator, Steve Newcomb, slated for release, early 2014. She is also working towards publishing a 3 book series for advance jazz vocal studies - “Vocalist as Complete Musician.” Chris recently completed levels I & II CCM Somatic Voicework (sm) - The LoVetri Method.Her first US release, “Waltz For Debby” (Discovery, 1991) first introduced Chris to American audiences. Her lyric to the Miles Davis classic, “Blue in Green” appears on “Waltz for Debby” and is also the official, published lyric (Warner Chapel -1990). In 1993, Chris was selected as one of 6 jazz vocalists to appear on Venus Records, “Big Apple Singers”. Chris went on to release several recordings in the States while raising her son, Sam, including “A Time For Love” (Amosaya 1995). “I Remember You” (2004) Elefant Dreams ED4546), “Dance Delicioso” (Elefant Dreams ED4547) “Whispers the Heart” (Elefant Dreams ED4549). Both Dance Delicioso, Whispers the Heart and The Song That Sings You Here were the result of collaborations with her partner, Paul Bollenback. In 2007, “Whispers the Heart”, was voted one of Top Ten picks of 2006 by Jazz Journalist Society’s, Nancy Barrell. “Whispers the Heart” was also voted “Top pick of the month” by “Musica Jazz” Italy. Jim Wilke, radio host of nationally syndicated, “Jazz After Hours”, chose Chris’ “Dance Delicioso” as one of his top favorite vocal recordings of 2005. McNulty’s music not only encompasses unique renderings of familiar standards and re-harmonized pop tunes, she has also created a substantial body of original work. Chris McNulty’s music, recordings and story have been a major feature on national radio in Australia, the USA, Russia and elsewhere around the globe. Her vocalese work is featured on Paul Bollenback’s Brightness of Being (2006), Invocation (October 2007). Chris also joins her son, the late Sam McNulty (aka Chap One) on his outstanding and masterfully crafted “Strange Frequencies,” which released posthumously this past March 19th, 2012. Chris wrote and sung the back ground vocal arrangements and also appears as a soloist.Chris has collaborated and performed with many jazz greats including among others (USA): Paul Bollenback, Mulgrew Miller, Gary Bartz, Gary Thomas, John Hicks, Billy Hart, Ugonna Okegwo, Matt Wilson, Marcus Gilmore, Montez Coleman, Gary Versace, David Budway, Peter Leitch, Ed Howard, John Di Martino, Rob Bargad, Tim Garland, Ingrid Jensen, Andrei Kondakov, Igor Butman, Tony Reedus and Anita Wardell to name a few. In Australia, Paul Grabowsky, Frank Di Sario, Mike Jordan, Graham Wood, Carl Mackey, Ben Vanderwaal, Andrew Dickeson, Steve Barry, Cameron Undy, Mat McMahon. As an educator, Chris has been invited to present clinics and workshops at Monash University (Melb), Griffith University (Bris), West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA- Perth), Australian Institute of Music (AIM-Syd) and University of SA (Adelaide). McNulty maintains an active international touring schedule. Her calendar includes major festival appearances throughout the US, UK, Australia, Europe and Russia.Review excerpts for "The Song That Sings You Here"Downbeat 4 stars ****" Does she swing....there's not a hesitant note or second guessed choice to be heard. 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;  Her own title tune is a quietly intense lover's plea wrapped in liquid glisses and keening rhythm."  Kirk Silsbee, April 2013 The Irish Times  4 stars ****"Australian-born New Yorker Chris McNulty is a classy singer in the classic style, emoting from the heart and giving the lyrics their full meaning, but more than capable of mixing it with the band and improvising with the best of them."  Cormac Larkin, February 2013  FULL REVIEW: Chris McNultywww.irishtimes.comThe Song That Sings Your Here Challenge Records****Jazz Times"... 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 Wise UK"...the singers 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 Journal:  5 stars *****Australian-born vocalist McNulty has a wide range and sings with strength and great clarity. Although her approach is strong and upfront she is a lyrical stylist and she integrates well into the band to make this a seamless performance with the voice working as one of the instruments. Her expressive style makes the listener aware of the words and the thoughts behind them and convinces that she is expressing herself through them...” Derek Ansell, May 2013Something Else"A beautifully personal record that swings and sways with the best of them, The Song That Sings You Here is a treat for those looking for some kind of truth. McNulty’s vocals are warm and involving, revealing spheres of love, loss and mystery through these 10 special songs." Mid West Record  ".... An absolute must for any jazz vocal fan, this is a winner throughout."FULL REVIEW http://midwestrecord.com/MWR582.htmlCriticalJazz.com"An eclectic yet incredibly accessible journey finds McNulty's voice immersed in swing and blues and is as raw, real and naturally organic as a vocalist can get…transcending from traditional "singer" to sublime vocalist or storyteller.  McNulty swings somewhere between independent star on the rise and simply a raw honesty that transcends songs.  An incredibly moving yet somehow delightfully entertaining session that will long be remembered after the last note fades out. One of the most beautiful vocal records that I have heard in years." Brent BlackFULL REVIEW:  http://www.criticaljazz.com/2012/12/chris-mcnulty-song-that-sings-you-here.html