Born on July 15th in the north of England, Carolina Moon has spent the last fifteen years carving out a very singular niche as a jazz singer, multi-lingual artist, composer and bandleader.
Her warm, articulate jazz delivery, and her ability to cut to the heart of a lyric in an extraordinary range of styles and languages have earned her the praise of critics, peers, concert-goers and connoisseurs of quality music alike.
Moon began developing her craft on the London/UK jazz and festival scene of the early 90’s. Awarded a scholarship to study at the Guildhall School of Music, the young Moon, packed her bags and headed to London, where she was soon performing with some of London’s cutting edge artists, and exploring her own creative directions.
From early on, Moon displayed a natural flair for jazz, complex time signatures and improvisation — her debut album, The Shaman’s Kiss, took these strengths and a growing interest in world music to the writing table. Released soon after her move to Sydney, the reaction that followed was swift: a nomination for Best Vocal Album in the Australian Jazz Awards, and solid feedback from the press: “Powerfully expressive”, wrote veteran jazz critic John Clare in the Sydney Morning Herald, while ABC writer John Shand (Limelight) placed the singer’s music amongst the best in contemporary jazz fusions.
Over the years, Moon has recorded a range of CDs which showcase her astonishing breadth of repertoire, from American Songbook classics (That Old Feeling), to original, contemporary world music and European compositions (The Shaman’s Kiss). She has also worked collaboratively with a range of artists including Australian pianist Mark Isaacs, (Songs of the Spanish Sephardic Tradition), Russian cellist and guitarist duo Double T (Ad Infinitum), and with Argentinian guitarist Justo Diaz on a collection of Spanish songs and Brazilian bossa nova.
Carolina’s recent NZ release, East of the Sun is a beautifully crafted collection of tracks that includes lilting French Chanson, songs by Ellington, Tony Hatch and modern jazz composers Jimmy Rowles, Mike Mainieri and New Zealander Jann Rutherford. “I put it on in the car”, says Moon, “and start to relax. Try it!” she laughs, “It works!” Also on show is her fabulous partnership and musical affinity with real-life partner and celebrated tenor saxman Roger Manins, a leading light in his own right.
What you may not know about Moon, is that alongside her jazz recordings and concerts that span the UK, Scotland, Australia, India, China and New Zealand, is her ongoing research into medieval and traditional world music. In 2002, she travelled to the Jazz India Vocal Institute, in Bombay, studying Indian vocal techniques and raga. She has also worked extensively on medieval Spanish and Sephardic repertoire (Spanish/Judeo) which she continues to research and perform with artists such as Mark Isaacs (AUS) and Nigel Gavin (NZ).
Moon has been a guest of Eva Raddich on National Radio’s Concert FM, Simon Sweetman of TVI’s Good Morning Show thinks she’s amazing. She’s also guested on Julie Moffat’s show on Radio Live, and at the studio of Mark Robinson’s It’s a Jazz Thing at Auckland’s George FM. She has regularly appeared on Australian jazz singer Susan Gai-Dowling’ show at Eastside Radio, Sydney, and her music also features consistently on Australian National Radio’s The Planet.
So what do people say about Moon that explains the continued interest in her music?
The first thing you hear is the voice, which has been described in many ways from ‘gorgeous’ to “vibrant and beautiful”, “powerfully expressive”, and “utterly beguiling”, by the Sydney Morning Herald. Moon has a way of interpreting a song and a lyric, a “beautifully articulated intimacy” states New Zealand writer Graham Reid, “and her song selection is interesting”. And indeed it is! Moon’s eclectic repertoire is full of surprises.
When listening to Moon, you hear warmth, intelligence and her scat is excellent. But that is not all! Moon delivers her story with a deep emotional connection and commitment to her material, imbued with stylistic authority and individuality that makes you feel like she’s singing to you,
Moon has worked with some distinguished artists in a variety of countries, and is a driving creative force and bandleader. She works in New Zealand with an international core of top line performers who are equally, and powerfully committed to their music. Together, they are developing an exciting language and style within New Zealand jazz, upon which Moon’s highly interactive style, her unison work and interplay with Manins, and their fresh arrangements — are the icing on the cake!
Carolina Moon – Quote Sheet
“…a beautifully articulated intimacy….”
— Graham Reid, www.elsewhere.co.nz
“…one dynamite singer from the City of Sails…who was simply fantastic at the Jazz Festival when she sang at the Mount”
— Winston Watusi, The Weekend Sun
“…scholarly in a completely relaxed way …. powerfully expressive.”
— John Clare, Sydney Morning Herald
“…a remarkable singer who is breaking new ground”
— Daily Telegraph
"If women jazz singers are your thing then there’s a myriad of great names to choose from — Diana Krall, Sara Lazarus, Madeleine Peyroux.... Add Carolina Moon to that list."
— The Wellingtonian
Quote Sheet - continued
“Carolina.. has a flawless vocal range and brings to each a song a freshness of approach so different from most singers. Her interpretations are spacious, musically interesting and totally absorbing as she uses her voice like a musical instrument to weave in and out of the music with beautiful improvisations.
“ the duo work of voice and sax in unison was brilliant, very reminiscent of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth.”
“This concert was jazz at its collective best: a wonderful vocalist who gave us her all, and a band that got in behind this awesome talent with some pretty impressive talent of their own.”
— Angela Crawford, Wanganui Jazz Club
“ I have to say you are incredible “
— Tony Hatch
“ Excellent scat! ”
— Mike Manieri
" Moon’s intonation of the lyrics and great range of expression through her body creates a striking centerpiece "
— Paula Cunniffe, Nelson Jazz Festival
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