Interview with Judith Lorick: In music, for me, soul outweighs intellect: Video

Jazz interview with jazz singer Judith Lorick. An interview by email in writing. 

JazzBluesNews.Space: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?

Judith Lorick: – I grew up in Philadelphia in a home filled with music. I started singing at home with my mother as a very young child, and sang classical music and opera in church and then school, until I graduated from high school.

JBN.S: – What got you interested in picking up the jazz vocal? What teacher or teachers helped you progress to the level of playing you have today? What made you choose the jazz vocal?

JL: – My mother had a beautiful voice and she played jazz all the time. My “teachers” were Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson… I never studied music; it came naturally.

JBN.S: – How to prevent disparate influences from coloring what you’re doing?

JL: – I don’t have a practice routine everything has evolved naturally. Lately I have been going to a Feldenkrais practitioner to make sure I am holding myself in the most relaxed way so that my energy and my voice can flow.

JBN.S: – What’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?

JL: – Balance is my favorite word in life. In music, for me, soul outweighs intellect.

JBN.S: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; you’re okay with giving the people what they want?

JL: – Of course! If I want to sing for myself I can do that in a room with no one else. When I’m singing for an audience there has to be a dialogue. That does not mean that I need to sing anything I don’t feel or like.

JBN.S: – Please any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

JL: – Find the timeless ones! They have lasted because they are beautiful. I believe part of my job is educating people young and old about the beautiful music that is out there.

JBN.S: – I have been asking you so far, now may I have a question from yourself…

JL: – It would take me hours to answer this question so I’m going to skip it. Happy to have that conversation over a glass of wine somewhere in the world someday.

Interview by Simon Sargsyan