Katie Noonan album art

Katie Noonan and the Blackbird Project

Katie Noonan’s new album, Blackbird Project, is a stunning collection of Beatles’ covers.

It is a testament to Lennon and McCartney’s musicianship that so many of their songs have been covered; in a way their music has become the new jazz standards.

Past covers range from the Good: Wilson Pickett’s Hey Jude, Siouxsie and the Banshee’s Dear Prudence, and Stevie Wonder’s We Can Work It Out, to the Bad: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by William Shatner and Jim Carrey’s I am the Walrus.

Katie’s Noonan’s Blackbird project is the result of a jazz fellowship proposal and her music makes a substantial contribution to both the jazz and pop worlds.

Every few years, a jazz album crosses over to the mainstream charts; Blackbird by Katie Noonan is such an album, and was recorded in New York.

The honest and beautiful tones in Blackbird command attention as they pay homage and explore the oeuvre of Lennon and McCartney’s finest work.

Her website explains how this project was borne from the desire to explore a combination of  her two loves: Pop and Jazz.

Katie Noonan has a big, strong voice; it is powerful when it needs to be. This album showcases her range and the subtleties of timbre; It can be delicate and vulnerable and sounds comfortable across a large range.

Katie sings in the jazz genre, but her voice has a modern, contemporary quality that oozes sophistication and suave. Katie sings with a confident understatement that steers clear of the vulgar scat singing that some jazz singers fall into.

The musicians on this project have been picked for their ability to provide the lush platform tones which allow for a songbird’s flight. Bassist Ron Carter has been with Miles Davis long-term and provides the platform with drummer Lewis Nash who has played with saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Katie’s saxophonist Joe Lovano has played with legendary pianist McCoy Tyner and the outfit is completed with Melbourne-based keyboard player Sam Keevers.

There is an innate communication between the musicians and Katie, as they explore and improvise. The result is Katie as the blackbird; gliding and fluttering in a rarefied atmosphere provided by this melodic environment.

Just as a fine wine is the perfect companion for great food, MelbinNoir believes jazz music is an equally suitable partner for a nice drop.

Katie Noonan and the Blackbird Project would be the perfect accompaniment to a dark, mellow Merlot or Cab Sav, or turn up the volume a touch and drink with a sophisticated Malbec. Throw in some rich dark chocolate and you have perfect listening experience.

If you would like to experience Katie Noonan and the Blackbird Project,  listen to her title song Blackbird. If you would like to further explore Katie and her music, find her on: Facebook YouTube Myspace and iLike.