Out Of Nowhere

San Francisco based singer Norris has recorded scant few musical documents of her deep, full, rich voice, and for this date it is displayed articulately and with a broad range of feeling, and is enhanced by her back-up musicians, particularly pianist/arranger/husband Larry Dunlap. The 14 tracks represent American pop and jazz standards, Brazilian love songs, an occasional bop zing, and tasty insertions by trombonist Jeff Cressman, multi-woodwindist Noel Jewkes, bassist John Wiitala, and drummer Eddie Marshall. Norris shines on ballads where she is accompanied by one other player. The disc starts with the outstanding "My Old Flame" with Dunlap's tranquil piano, and ends on the same note during "This Life We've Led." Piano-bass-drums tracks like the title cut and "You Say You Care" are fairly typical. In a developmental fashion "How Deep Is the Ocean?" starts with piano and vocal, adds bass, then Jewkes' bass clarinet solo in an easy samba beat, while Jewkes on alto sax with Cressman's trombone go into modalities, then a swinging bridge with counterpointed horns, and a smidgen of Norris scatting underscores "It's You Or No One." Norris sings two duets, including one with hubby on his cute tune "I'd Rather Be Here." Then there's a stunning duet with Mark Murphy on "Invitation." Murphy sings the first half line, Norris the second in a patient, piano-based rubato, with a bit of interaction between the two at the end, and a cameo appearance for the great bassist Frank Tusa. Dunlap uses electric piano for the more contemporary light samba "Love Not Now" with Jewkes on soaring flute, and the slighter bossa feel of "Star Eyes" is joined by Cressman at the bridge. Overall, Norris is a fine singer whose fame and fortune on a national and international level has been long overdue. ~ Michael G. Nastos