Jazz Vocal Artist, Improviser, Composer, Lyricist, Poet, Actor, Author
Photograph By:
Enid Farber
Women In Jazz Magazine
Women's Jazz Month, March, 2026
NORA MCCARTHY is an original voice, unique and exhilarating improviser, composer, poet, lyricist, actor, author, and educator with several decades of experience in the field of jazz and creative music, her sound is reminiscent of the great voices and horns in jazz.
As a prominent member of the New York jazz scene, most notably the downtown music scene representing the avant-garde artist community of musicians and poets, she has established herself as a leader in musical expressionism and modernism as well as straight-ahead jazz and Afro-Caribbean Experimental music.
A devotee of classic jazz, global rhythms, and the fine arts, Nora is a musical colorist, and interpreter of the lyric—a beautiful balladeer in the tradition of the great Jimmy Scott. Her burnished alto voice is steeped in tradition and rich with a distinctive style that cuts a broad swath from classic jazz, the Great American Songbook, modern jazz, bebop, post-bop, soul, rhythm & blues, and beyond.
McCarthy performs in every situation from duo to a twenty-piece large ensemble, from straight ahead jazz to the free and avant-garde idioms. Her original compositions and arrangements are stunning works of art, and she is a gifted poet and lyricist as well. Her powerfully moving delivery of the spoken word and interpretation of the lyrics reflects a deep and intense emotional capacity that communicates directly to her audience heart to heart.
"McCarthy possesses the earthiness of an early blues singer, and the articulation, phrasing and timbre of a jazz trumpet.
Emotionally provocative and intensely creative, “McCarthy’ shaping of pitch often foregoes the fluid note-bending of the jazz singer in favor of the full press of a sculptor’s touch against viscous clay.” Ramsey Ameen, Violinist, Cecil Taylor Unit
"NORA McCARTHY! If I was a religious man, I would say "Yes indeed, the Lord has risen!" and "Amen To That"!!
There are a number of gifted Jazz singers on this planet, but few truly sing from the soul, as Ms. Nora McCarthy!
Talk about conviction! Talk about a beautiful, original vocal instrument!
Talk about fire in the belly, but a gentility of subtle nuance. This defines Nora. She's also not afraid to take a risk, explore human emotions that are real and not contrived." Steve Getz, Music Director/Talent Buyer and record producer, son of Jazz legend, tenor saxophonist, Stan Getz.
A live clip of a performance at Joe's Pub w/Bernard Purdie and David Haney, Steve Swell, Adam Lane, Yael Archer - Jazz Stories - (Improv - the great ANNIE ROSS' story, in her interview for Cadence, reenacted by Nora McCarthy who then sang "Doodlin' in her honor.....and more improv with the band - good listen.
"Night On Earth"
Composition: Lucian Ban
Lyrics: Nora McCarthy
MIC~ART MUSIC PRODUCTIONS WEBSITE
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"To Be with You" is an example of the Jorge Sylvester's ACE Collective (of which Nora is an original member) commitment to traditional songs in the Afro-Caribbean tradition. Known as the "all-time classic Latin soul ballad," the tune was written in early 1950s by Nick Jimenez and Willie Torres, the team responsible for composing some of the first Latin dance music in English. A luminous ballad that's spacious and romantic, the piece provides a magnificent vehicle for McCarthy. One of her strengths is the ability to interpret lyrics, and here her phrasing is exquisite, locating the direct heart of the song's passionate longing. The rest of the group plays with the most delicate touch, taking the tune at a slow, measured pace as the tender emotions unfold and deepen. Mention must be made of Sylvester's long, gorgeous solo, an intertwining of soul and delicacy that's beautifully executed. There's also fine work by Sylvester and Ricks behind McCarthy's lyrics, again demonstrating the two players' in-tandem strength; it's always a pleasure to hear these two intertwine. This album is about spirit of all kinds, and "To Be with You" offers a reminder that the highest romantic love is driven by spirit as well. - By FLORENCE WETZEL
NORA McCARTHY
JAZZ INSIDE MAGAZINE
"WAY BEYOND VOCALIST"
INTERVIEW
"What has impressed me about Nora McCarthy is that she
is much more than a jazz vocalist—or specifically, a female jazz vocalist. She is a singer, she plays piano, she composes music and write lyrics—comprehensive artistry in the grand tradition of someone like Carmen McRae or Betty Carter." Eric Nemeyer, Publisher of Jazz Inside Magazine
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Page 4
"BEST JAZZ"
SINGER AND VOCAL JAZZ CD
blesSINGS
JAZZ STATION AWARD"
By: Arnaldo DeSouteiro
HARMONY
LOVE
AND
CREATIVITY
COMMINGLING
“On Sylvester’s “Akara Moi Moi”, McCarthy scats over pulsing changes and rhythm. McCarthy wrote four of the compositions and most of the lyrics, including for songs by some of the masters of the music. One of the pleasures of the album is hearing how McCarthy negotiates the lyrics she’s written and how she integrates them into the overall sound. She laughingly suggested at the release concert that Ornette Coleman is “not gone but rather looking lovingly at all of us.” She then performed his “The Blessing”, infused with loving lyrics and graceful wordless vocalizing, which led into passionate and harmonically apposite solos by Sylvester, Vergara and electric bassist Gene Torres, subbing for Nicks. And then came a ritualistic “Passion Dance”, a McCoy Tyner gem, with fiery burning rhythmic intros from piano, bass and drums and then horn-like, rapid-fire singing and joyous scatting.” Donald Elfman
SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
