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JUMP! |
JUMP is a musical theater collage conceived and composed by Nora York with book by David Greenspan, staged by director JoAnne Akalaitis, in a set environment by artist Kiki Smith with music director Jamie Lawrence.
JUMP conflates music of Puccini's Tosca, the dream world of singer Nora York and the turn of the last century's biggest star, actress Sarah Bernhardt. Joining York in the cast are two opera singers bass Kevin Burdette, and tenor Andrew Drost , along with actor Karen Kandel. The band is Jamie Lawrence Harmonium, Andrew Schwartz bassoon, Steve Tarshis guitar, Dave Hofstra bass and Dorothy Lawrence cello.
The music musical armature for York’s original score and lyrics is Puccini’s Tosca. Sarah Bernhardt portrayed La Tosca on the stage for 25-years. The music and songs draw upon elements of the Tosca story.
There were workshops at the Public Theater in NYC (2008 and January 2009) and we are continuing with plans to present the completed piece early 2011 ENJOY!
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Nora's re think operatic aria |
Through the use of overlay and collage I create a recombinant music with multiple melodic and lyrical sources to invent an aural conceptual platform.
Please enjoy these pieces, examples of what I am doing with these ideas.
I am joined by amazing musicians: Bass baritone singer Kevin Burdette and singer John McVeigh tenor... we have Jamie Lawrence on Harmonium and melodica, Steve Tarshis on resonator guitar, Andrew Schwartz on bassoon, Dorothy Lawson on Cello, Dave Hofstra on bass.
In So What/I Don't live/Addio I am using live “samples” which I morph the musical and lyrical ideas I want to explore. The Hendrix tune I don't live today conflates with the third act aria of Violetta in La Traviatta, ( the one right before she dies...) A new song is made from the fragments.
In Habanera/What' s love I combine a tune Tina Turner made popular, which denies romantic love, with the famous aria from Carmen, where she denies the power of love... at least emotionally.
By having bass baritone Kevin Burdette sing the soprano and mezzo roles, we are not distracted by comparisons with other singers of the aria. Andrew Schwartz on bassoon brings his viruosity together with , Steve Tarshis dobro guitar, and Dave Hofstra on bass, and Jamie Lawrence on harmonium my faithful and amazing band members... magic is made.
The significance inherent in the original materials is amplified making a new piece.
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recent recording RADIO vissi darte truth and beauty |
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Vissi d’arte / truth and beauty, is a trio for three voices. Tenor John McVeigh and bass Kevin Burdette and myself. This is the epic moment when Tosca decides to take charge of her fate. She leads the way, first through recognition of her circumstances, and finally when she laments what she must do. Sung as a trio, I have re-imagined the Puccini aria to illustrate how all three characters might share hopelessness. |
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All Shook Up never sounded like this |
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I love Elvis... and I decided to sing an homage to him in this version of ALL SHOOK UP -- with Dave Hofstra on bass, Charlie Giordano on accordion, Jamie Lawrence on melodica, Steve Tarshis on guitar and Peter grant drums... enjoy! |
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Samples from Nora York's first album TO DREAM THE WORLD |
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This was my first record contract. I was signed to a Japanese label called Polystar. It was a unique deal, they sent me the money, and I sent them the finished Cd. I was under no obligation to them; no mandatory players or tunes... whatever I wanted to do... enjoy |
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Samples of Nora York's 2nd CD ALCHEMY |
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We got the second deal, because the first CD To Dream the World was quite a success in Japan. After recording To Dream The World I started writing songs with Maria Schneider, and three of our tunes were the signature songs on the Cd. Alchemy, The Blasphemy and The Grail. Enjoy |
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Killer/ Run |
From my concert work POWER/PLAY; KILLER/RUN interlaces and overlays Benny Golson’s 1950’s jazz standard "Killer Joe" and Jimi Hendrix’s "Machine Gun" (1969) as the musical ground for the Creedence Clearwater Revival’s tune "Run Through the Jungle".
The wah wah guitar is featured… and in the solo section is the Battle Hymn of the Republic (civil war) sung through Yusef Islam’s (Cat Stevens) call to prayer. Helicopters and effects…This is my way of describin, through music, America’s progression from world war two values and concepts of warfare and nationhood through the insanity of the Vietnam War, which sets the stage for the current world situation.
Killer/Run
(Golson/Hendrix/Foggarty/Croot/York)
Nora York : voice and concept
Steve Tarshis: guitar ---
Dave Hofstra: bass ---
Charlie Giordano Accordion --
Peter Grant: drums ---
Jamie Lawrence – synthesizers and melodica
Claire Daly: baritone saxophone
Recorded and mixed at Manhattan Beach Studios
January 15 2007
Produced and mixed by Jamie Lawrence
with Nora York sitting nearby... |
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NPR radio Infinite Mind appearance. |
I was invited to appear on a NPR radio program called the "Infinite Mind" .. it has aired a number of times --...
Here is the segment... -- I am singing live on radio joined by my regulars -- Steve Tarshis on guitar, Charlie Giordano on accordion, and Jamie Lawrence on Bongos...( well it is not always that Jamie will play the bongos!)
Enjoy! |
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Heal Me -- From HBO METHADONIA |
Come listen to the gopsel version of my song
"Heal Me/Balm and Gilead) that Jamie Lawrence created for Michel Negroponte and his HBO documentary METHADONIA. I wrote Heal Me about the miracle of healing -- and what that might be. |
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