OUTPOST OF DREAMS

The incredible relationship between legendary British musicians Norma Winstone and John Taylor has been admired for nearly five decades. The vocalist and pianist have been inextricably linked from their early avant-garde work from the late 1960s through their gorgeous work with Kenny Wheeler and Azymuth.// The couple was also well documented in duo performance; their affinity for each other and their unique abilities are easily comprehended. Winstone and Taylor's In Concert is a remastered reissue of Enodoc Records' 1999 cassette tape release of a fascinating 1988 duo concert. Four years after the pianist's passing, this recording will remind listeners of the wonderful interplay and feel between Taylor and Winstone.// The performance presented on In Concert documents a quickly assembled concert that coincided with the culmination of Winstone and Taylor's teaching residency at the Guildhall Music School in London in August 1988. Though they didn't have time to put together an ensemble or theme, the two were able to provide the listeners, including many of their students, with a wonderfully diverse and masterful performance.

CD reissue. Norma Winstone is one of the most recognizable vocalists from the United Kingdom. During her nearly 50-year career, she has performed in many varieties of situations, from the improvisatory world of avant-garde to the classic tastefulness of the jazz songbook. It was in the effort of getting permission to write lyrics to The Peacocks that Winstone made the acquaintance of the great pianist/composer Jimmy Rowles, who had made a name for himself as the expert accompanist to Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. When asked who would play the piece with her, she subtly asked if Rowles himself would. The subsequent recording Well Kept Secret was the product of their one meeting in Los Angeles in October 1993 and features bassist George Mraz, drummer Joe La Barbara and a guest appearance by Stacy Rowles on flugelhorn playing inspired takes on standards.

CD reissue. Norma Winstone is one of the most recognizable vocalists from the United Kingdom. During her nearly 50-year career, she has performed in many varieties of situations, from the improvisatory world of avant-garde to the classic tastefulness of the jazz songbook. There are some musical relationships that are just sublime. Winstone has had innumerable musical partnerships over her nearly 50-year career but none have lasted as long or have been as fruitful as the one with pianist John Taylor. The duo's recording Like Song, Like Weather from 1996 found them reunited performing standards and recreations of tunes by their contemporaries, including Steve Swallow, Paul Bley and Kenny Wheeler, with lyrics written by Winstone herself.

CD reissue. Norma Winstone is one of the most recognizable vocalists from the United Kingdom. During her nearly 50-year career, she has performed in many varieties of situations, from the improvisatory world of avant-garde to the classic tastefulness of the jazz songbook. Recorded in 1997, Winstone's Manhattan In The Rain found her alongside some longtime companions, pianist Steve Gray (of Sky fame), bassist Chris Laurence and woodwind master Tony Coe performing a wonderful collection of jazz standards, all arranged by Gray.