Mum returns to work on a jazz note (From Harrow Times)

Mum returns to work on a jazz note

3:47pm Thursday 28th July 2011 in Interviews By Melanie Dakin

The cream of the jazz world have come together to ensure Claudia Morris gets the acclaim she so richly deserves. A West End talent in her teens, the north Finchley mum-of-three took time out from a promising career to raise a family, but the need to sing simply wouldn’t go away.

Trained at the Webber Douglas Academy, at 16, Claudia became the protegee of Ian Adams, who trained the likes of Elaine Page and Michael Ball. She appeared in the original cast of Buddy playing Maria Elena and was offered the part of understudying Cosette in Les Miserables, but she chose married life over a chance to shine.

“I was really going places when I was younger,“ admits Claudia, 43, “But for some shows they said I was not quite experienced enough and I didn’t have the maturity to deal with it. After that I didn’t listen to music for years. I was totally cut off from myself, it was as if that part of me had died.“

Thankfully, Claudia revived her singing career in 2008 and recorded her debut album Love & Demons with jazz pianist and musical director, Simon Colam. The album featured a song written by composer Michael Bruce and a powerful version of Straighten Up And Fly Right.

Earlier this year she began work with Simon on Twelve O’Clock Tales, a collection of jazz classics that shows off her breathy yet beefy vocal range. The album features renowned guitarist Alex Garnett, and drummer and percussionist John Bleaser. Claudia has also had vocal training from Ronnie Scott’s resident singer Iain Mackensie.

The upbeat arrangement for Lush Life, a line from which provided Claudia with the album’s title and Close Your Eyes, an ultra-tender love song, are the tracks on the album where Claudia’s voice comes through unrestrained.

It’s important for me to raise my profile. I’ve never left the family or been taken out of my comfort zone

Claudia Morris

As with her debut album, one of the tracks has been written especially for Claudia. Up and coming songwriter Andrew Mallen has written a song about Claudia’s study of psychotherapy, The Queen Of Overthinking.

“Andy is taking the mickey out of all the therapy jargon and it’s really fun,“ says Claudia.

“With the first album, I wasn’t sure where I was going musically. It was just to say, ’look I can sing and these are the songs I like’. I guess I’m a musical theatre singer dipping my toe in jazz.“

Listening to bonus track So Nice and a live recording of Somewhere Over The Rainbow from her gig at Pizza in the Park in Knightsbridge, Claudia has the ability to let go and make the songs her own.

There’s a real sense of much more to come, as she moves away from the measured delivery of musical theatre and immerses herself deeper in jazz’s unrestrained sound.

Her career is really taking off now and she is also finding a way to balance the work life with her family.

“My children, from my first marriage, are 17 and 15 now and they find it a bit difficult to see their mum being out in the world because that’s what they’re meant to be doing. I think they struggle with my level of energy, but secretly they’re quite proud. My son, who is nearly five, loves all my singing and my husband is incredibly supportive. He says ’go for it, we’ll cope, we’ll find a way – do what makes you happy’.“

Claudia will be performing songs from her latest album Twelve O Clock Tales on Wednesday, November 30 with her Ronnie Scott’s colleagues. Details: www.claudiamorris-music.com