Norma Winstone

Norma Winstone (born 1941) first attracted attention in the late 60s appearing at Ronnie Scott’s on the same bill as Roland Kirk. Although she began her career singing jazz standards, she became involved in the avant garde movement, working with Mike Westbrook, Michael Garrick and sang with John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Gibbs, John Taylor, and many of the major European names and visiting Americans.

In the late 70s she joined pianist Taylor and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler to form the hugely popular and influential group Azimuth. Her association with Wheeler continued until his death in 2014. Among the standout albums she has recorded in her own name were Somewhere Called Home from 1987 on ECM and Well Kept Secret recorded in the US with Jimmy Rowles. Winstone is also a very fine lyricist, writing words to compositions by Steve Swallow, Egberto Gismonti, Ivan Lins and others. ‘Ladies in Mercedes’ and her lyrics to Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks (retitled ‘A Timeless Place’) have become standards. Since 2008, she leads the pan-European Distances Trio featuring Klaus Gesing (bass clarinet) and Glauco Venier (piano).

In July 2001, she won the title of Best Vocalist in the BBC Jazz Awards and was nominated again in 2007, a year which also saw her being awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for her services to jazz in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Key Recordings:
Azimuth (ECM 1977)
Well Kept Secret (Hot House 1995)
Distances (ECM 2008)