Chris McNulty Quintet (USA)

Her liquid phrasing and luminous tone underscoring a voice of serene beauty and striking veracity… One of the foremost singer-composers on the scene today… 4 Stars – Peter Quinn, Jazz Wise (UK)

…A showcase of world-class talent and professionalism – John McBeath, The Australian

In 1994 Australian-born jazz singer/composer Chris McNulty was honored to be selected as one of the six exceptional new jazz singers on the New York scene to be featured on the Venus recording, Big Apple Voices. She has gone on to record several CD’s since then, including her most recently released Whispers the Heart. Her development over this period of time from lyricist to full fledged composer has been duly noted in major press reviews and articles.

Chris was born in Melbourne, Australia and spent her early career touring Australia and South East Asia, cutting her teeth on music ranging from pop to Funk and R&B. Key influences include the great American jazz singers Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson.

Chris worked with Paul Grabowsky in Melbourne in the late 1970s, going to New York’s Blue Note Club by the mid 1980’s. She has resided in New York since 1987.

Her first US recording, Waltz For Debby was released in 1990 to outstanding reviews. Since then Chris has garnered accolades from critics, jazz musicians and fans alike, as well as collaborating and performing with some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene today and touring widely around the world’s many great jazz venues and festivals.

There is no doubt that in a career spanning four decades, Chris McNulty has established herself as a solo singer with a distinct style and great versatility.

Chris is joined tonight by her husband, guitar master Paul Bollenback. Chris’s creative vocalese work is also featured on Paul Bollenback’s highly acclaimed Brightness of Being (2006) as well his recently released, Invocation (Oct 2007).

Whispers the Heart features several new outstanding original works and arrangements including a string quartet written by Chris, along with featured guests including jazz great Frank Wess, Ingrid Jensen, Paul Dave Pietro, Matt Wilson and Montez Coleman. 2009 will see return engagements to the West Coast (USA) Australia and the UK, along with the release of her highly anticipated 7th CD.

If McNulty’s vocalizing is fearless, then her writing is peerless – Jazz Times

…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….Bollenback rolled out one brilliant musical solo after another… a joyous and irresistible swing that one’s foot had to move! – Martin Jackson, Jazz Australia