TRUDY KERR - Take Five & Well Kept Secrets
Their can be little doubt that one of Australia's finest imports is singer and lyricist, Trudy Kerr. In a move that in many ways is incredibly modest, she seems to have been keeping a low profile while making outstanding music that is in danger of becoming a well kept secret.
Having established a reputation as a fine interpreter of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook, Trudy has over the last few years turned to writing lyrics to many contemporary compositions, and recently recorded two fine albums available to the discerning listeners among us who have an ear to the ground, as well as on the music, and have been fortunate enough to secure their copies.
For those that haven't yet acquired these two gems, Nick Lea caught up with Trudy to talk about her new projects, and recent recordings.
Having established a reputation as a fine interpreter of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook, Trudy has over the last few years turned to writing lyrics to many contemporary compositions, and recently recorded two fine albums available to the discerning listeners among us who have an ear to the ground, as well as on the music, and have been fortunate enough to secure their copies.
For those that haven't yet acquired these two gems, Nick Lea caught up with Trudy to talk about her new projects, and recent recordings.
The most recent of these projects is Take Five - the music of Paul Desmond which Trudy has been preforming live, and is justifiably proud. "The show celebrates the music of the great alto saxophonist Paul Desmond", explains Trudy. "The repertoire is a mixture of Paul's original compositions as well as standards played he liked to play. We play repertoire Desmond performed as a band leader as well as repertoire he played with Dave Brubeck, and I have also written lyrics to Paul’s solos and compositions which gives the music a new twist. "
A new twist, or a new challenge? , I ask. Trudy laughs replying, "I enjoy writing lyrics and I’ve written quite a few to instrumental compositions over the years. I have added lyrics to many of my husband Geoff Gascoyne’s composition and mainly the music has come first. Vocalese are great fun to write, (that is putting words to instrumental solos) it’s a different process as solos have so many unexpected turns. Rhyme and meter are not as important it is more like writing a stream of consciousness."
Kerr's love of the altoist's music if evident as she continues, "I have always been a fan of his playing because it’s so melodic and the lines are so beautiful to sing. When so many players of his time were going for Charlie Parker's Be Bop approach Paul had his own sound and style. A few years ago at the International Jazz Voice Conference in Finland I presented a talk on Paul’s music where I analysed and performed his solo on the Luiz Bonfa tune 'Black Orpheus', from there I thought it would be a rewarding challenge to delve deeper into Paul’s music catalogue and the project was born. "
A new twist, or a new challenge? , I ask. Trudy laughs replying, "I enjoy writing lyrics and I’ve written quite a few to instrumental compositions over the years. I have added lyrics to many of my husband Geoff Gascoyne’s composition and mainly the music has come first. Vocalese are great fun to write, (that is putting words to instrumental solos) it’s a different process as solos have so many unexpected turns. Rhyme and meter are not as important it is more like writing a stream of consciousness."
Kerr's love of the altoist's music if evident as she continues, "I have always been a fan of his playing because it’s so melodic and the lines are so beautiful to sing. When so many players of his time were going for Charlie Parker's Be Bop approach Paul had his own sound and style. A few years ago at the International Jazz Voice Conference in Finland I presented a talk on Paul’s music where I analysed and performed his solo on the Luiz Bonfa tune 'Black Orpheus', from there I thought it would be a rewarding challenge to delve deeper into Paul’s music catalogue and the project was born. "
Once the concept for the live shows was in place, it was a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's, and of course selecting the tunes to perform. "It’s always tricky to decide which songs to include in a project" confesses Trudy. "Paul has performed many standards over the years as a leader and of course with Brubeck so the choices are endless and can change from night to night, however 'Take 5' is always popular with the audience."
When it came down to performing the music, the additon of alto saxophonist Allison Neale and Dominic Ashworth on guitar to your her trio was a great choice. So Iask Trudy if the project conceived with these musicians in mind? Pausing, she replies "No, I didn’t really have musicians in mind, I just started writing and transcribing and Geoff Gascoyne and I worked on arrangement ideas. When it came to recording I knew Tom Cawley on piano, Geoff on bass, and drummer Seb de Krom would sound perfect as I’ve worked with them so much in the past. Adding Allison Neale and Dominic came later. It was Steve Rubie at the 606 club that suggested Allison and I was so glad he did. Allison has spent many years perfecting the tone and style of Desmond’s playing so brings to the gig so much authenticity the other members of the band are sympathetic to the tradition but also bring something new to the music. As Desmond recorded as a band leader with guitar, Dominic Ashworth slotted into the role beautifully."
Slotted in beautifully is a bit of an understatement, and a full review of the album recorded by the band, Take Five: The music of Paul Desmond can be found in our May's reviews, with the album available to buy at gigs.
When it came down to performing the music, the additon of alto saxophonist Allison Neale and Dominic Ashworth on guitar to your her trio was a great choice. So Iask Trudy if the project conceived with these musicians in mind? Pausing, she replies "No, I didn’t really have musicians in mind, I just started writing and transcribing and Geoff Gascoyne and I worked on arrangement ideas. When it came to recording I knew Tom Cawley on piano, Geoff on bass, and drummer Seb de Krom would sound perfect as I’ve worked with them so much in the past. Adding Allison Neale and Dominic came later. It was Steve Rubie at the 606 club that suggested Allison and I was so glad he did. Allison has spent many years perfecting the tone and style of Desmond’s playing so brings to the gig so much authenticity the other members of the band are sympathetic to the tradition but also bring something new to the music. As Desmond recorded as a band leader with guitar, Dominic Ashworth slotted into the role beautifully."
Slotted in beautifully is a bit of an understatement, and a full review of the album recorded by the band, Take Five: The music of Paul Desmond can be found in our May's reviews, with the album available to buy at gigs.
As well as Take Five, Trudy also has another 'new' album, called The House, with pianist Andrea Vicari , Geoff Gascoyne and saxophonist, Martin Hathaway that seems to have slipped under the radar. While this has been available from Trudy's website there appears to have been little publicity to an album that is perhaps her most personal to date. Taking up the the story behind the album Trudy says "I recorded it a couple of years ago, and the musical style and direction was something new to me.
"Over the past few years Andrea Vicari and I have been working together very regularly in and around London primarily in a duo setting. Therefore a real relationship has grown between us both musically and personally. Andrea has her own voice as a composer and I enjoyed the challenge of written lyrics to her beautiful compositions. Her compositions really led the direction and style of the recording and this was the basis for the album."
"Over the past few years Andrea Vicari and I have been working together very regularly in and around London primarily in a duo setting. Therefore a real relationship has grown between us both musically and personally. Andrea has her own voice as a composer and I enjoyed the challenge of written lyrics to her beautiful compositions. Her compositions really led the direction and style of the recording and this was the basis for the album."
The musical relationship with the pianist, and the original material from this new writing partnership gives The House a very contemporary feels, drawing Trudy out her usual repertoire, and shows a versatility that perhaps we we have not heard from her before. This feeling of something new is not only captured in the original material but also with some modern standards that blend seamlessly with the original compositions, including the wonderful Jobin tune 'Forever Green', Fred Hersch and Norma Winstone's 'Song Of Life' and 'Crystal Silence' by Chick Corea. Abut the selection process, Trudy says, " The other song choices were part of the repertoire Andrea and I had been gigging at the time. Forever Green is a little known Jobim tune and a real gem. We added the kids voices so it has a similar vibe to the original Jobim version. I’m such a fan of the album Norma Winstone did with Fred Herch and Andrea and I really enjoy performing ‘Song of Life’ and it fit in nicely with her originals. Geoff played an important role in arranging the other song choices to make it all blend together. I’ve know Martin Hathaway for many years and I’ve wanted to work with him so he was the perfect choice and his melodic and minimalistic approach slotted in perfectly. We had no rehearsal as a band we just went straight into the studio and and recorded. The album has a chamber-like quality to it and I’m really happy with the outcome."
If there is any justice, The House will stand not just as a fine album in it's own right, but also as a gateway into new musical directions for Kerr, and possibly taking this exquisite music out on the road. As Trudy is quick to point out, " Yes I’d certainly like to do that! Andrea and I are always working together and always include some of the songs from The House at our gigs, but it would be great to tour with the Geoff and Martin and see where the music takes us.
"I’ve also been enjoying performing the Paul Desmond project, and also been working with singer Sarah Moule on a show ‘The Beat Goes On’ where we celebrate the music and song writers inspired by The Beat Generation. As well as this, I’ve got a few ideas floating around for a new recording but not sure which direction things will go at this stage. But hopefully lots of gigs and more writing and recording."
If there is any justice, The House will stand not just as a fine album in it's own right, but also as a gateway into new musical directions for Kerr, and possibly taking this exquisite music out on the road. As Trudy is quick to point out, " Yes I’d certainly like to do that! Andrea and I are always working together and always include some of the songs from The House at our gigs, but it would be great to tour with the Geoff and Martin and see where the music takes us.
"I’ve also been enjoying performing the Paul Desmond project, and also been working with singer Sarah Moule on a show ‘The Beat Goes On’ where we celebrate the music and song writers inspired by The Beat Generation. As well as this, I’ve got a few ideas floating around for a new recording but not sure which direction things will go at this stage. But hopefully lots of gigs and more writing and recording."
You can by The House and other recordings by Trudy Kerr from the Jazz Views Shop
For more information visit Trudy's website and Jazzizit Records
For more information visit Trudy's website and Jazzizit Records
Click on the album cover to read our review
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Click on the album cover to read our review
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