Reviewed by Donald M. Martin (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Bobbe Norris has been active as a performer for well over 30 years, yet in that time she has only released a half-dozen recordings. Starting with Columbia in 1966 – particularly bad timing for a jazz singer at Columbia – with The Beginning, most of her recordings have been self-produced or released only overseas. Her obscurity is puzzling because time and time again she proves to be a singer with class, taste, and a talent that far exceeds her name-recognition. This, however, is her first recording since 1987's Japan-only You and the Night and the Music.

Out of Nowhere ranks with the best work of Shirley Horn, Helen Merrill and Abbey Lincoln; meditative and deliberate, filled with subtle shadings and a perfect combination of storytelling and musicality. What is unusual about this album is that instead of being an album of tense and pining torch songs, it celebrates maturity and the true calm to be found when life and love happen to turn out well. Norris draws her muse from a very centered and serene foundation.

The arrangements featured here are predominantly piano-and-voice-led. Larry Dunlap, arranger and producer (and Norris' husband), creates a showcase for her beautiful, low voice by utilizing a "less is more" approach. Never is this album "singer with backing;" instead, Norris is the lead instrument and the arrangements have a light swing which complements her subtle play with time immensely. Aside from piano, Dunlap and Norris use trombone and flute solos to reinforce the weight and range of her voice – these seemingly unrelated instruments prove that Norris has a voice both meaty and airy, an arresting combination.

Every song in this album is treated with a walking tempo; there is no hurry to be found anywhere in these selections, and they thrive through such treatment. Norris has incredible control over her instrument, with vibrato used most sparingly, and with flawless diction and breath control in her phrasing. Continuing the tradition of the "Cool School" style of singing, Norris never overdoes any aspect of her interpretation. These songs of longing and passion never bleed and never panic, there is never a wasted word, and her concern for lyric and melody are equal. Her vocal lines are like a dry martini, with a quiet intensity that creeps in as it goes along. The jazz here is never obvious; instead, it insinuates its way into the ear as the interplay between musicians creates a cohesive unit to showcase the material.

Three duets figure prominently in this album: Love Turns Winter to Spring and I'd Rather Be Here pair Norris with husband Dunlap to wonderful effect, while Invitation is a 16-years-prior recording with jazz legend Mark Murphy. Dunlap is a wonderful vocal foil for Norris; they have an obvious affection for each other and a compatibility filled with playfulness and a warm chemistry. Dunlap is content to harmonize with Norris and never compete with her; this works very well for the material chosen because both tunes are wistful and light. Murphy rises to the challenge of singing with a female voice that is lower than his by reining in his excesses to focus on singing and lyric content rather than recomposing as he goes along. They, too, are excellent foils for one another, akin more to dual leads trading fours than lovers conversing per the lyrics. While Norris is calm, cool, precise and seductive in her approach here, Murphy counters with scatting and darting through all aspects of his range to share the same languid approach. They sound wonderful together.

The simplicity and subtlety of this album could easily render it as background music, but instead, the clarity of the arrangements and the deliberate pacing hold constant interest through the rich textures and the cohesive ensemble interplay. Out of Nowhere is minimalism at its best, with a hipness that calls on exactly what the material calls for, never overdoing it and never falling short. All but four tracks for this album were recorded live-in-studio – what we hear is exactly what went down – and the precision of these performances is faultless. This is a perfect jazz vocal album.

Tracks
1. My Old Flame (Coslow, Johnston)
2. Love Not Now (Nunez, Canion)
3. Invitation (Kaper, Webster)
4. Out of Nowhere (Heyman, Green)
5. Choro Des Aguas / Comecar De Novo (Lins, Martins)
6. It's You or No One (Cahn, Styne)
7. Star Eyes (de Paul, Raye)
8. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Arlen, Koehler)
9. Love Turns Winter to Spring (Dennis, Kilduff)
10. You Say You Care (Styne, Robin)
11. How Deep Is the Ocean? (Berlin)
12. I'd Rather Be Here (Dunlap)
13. Only the Lonely (Cahn, Van Heusen)
14. This Life We've Led (Wolf, Landesman)

Produced and arranged by Larry Dunlap, K. S. Personnel: Larry Dunlap, piano, keyboards, vocals; Noel Jewkes, flute, alto sax, bass clarinet, tenor sax; Jeff Cressman, trombone; Eddie Marshall, drums, recorder; John Wiitala, bass; Frank Tusa, bass; Mark Murphy, guest vocalist.

Bobbe Norris’ Out of Nowhere may be difficult to obtain. For ordering information contact: Four Directions Records; PO Box 1028; Pacifica, CA 94044. Telephone (650) 359-5996. Fax (650) 359-2314.