Norma Winstone - Wheeler with Words (2024)

The North with Norma Winstone, Wheeler with Words, showcases international collective of top jazz musicians from Denmark, Sweden, Canada and the UK,celebrating the legacy of one of the most significant composers of the past fifty years, Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014). Long-time Wheeler collaborator and legendary UK vocalist Norma Winstone is the featured artist of the group. Winstone collaborated on numerous ECM recordings with Wheeler, including his iconic Music for Large and Small Ensembles and their celebrated “Azimuth” trio albums with pianist John Taylor. Winstone’s lyrics beautifully match the melancholy of Wheeler’s melodies and her voice is certainly entwined in the fabric of his music.

The Juno Award winning quartet The North was formed in 2015 as a collaboration between Canadians Mike Murley (saxophones) and David Braid (piano) with Scandinavians Anders Mogensen (drums) and Johnny Åman (bass). Their second album (2019), The North Plays the Music of Kenny Wheeler featured UK trumpeter Percy Pursglove as a guest artist. When touring resumed in 2022 the group began its collaboration with Winstone and UK pianist Nikki Iles. Wheeler with Words was recorded by this new septet formation, featuring Wheeler’s music with lyrics by Winstone and Jane White.

Norma Winstone(uk) – vocal, Percy Pursglove(uk) – trompet, Mike Murley(can) – sax, David Braid(can) – piano, Johnny Åman(S/SF) – bass, Anders Mogensen(dk) – trommer