The composer and pianist Jamie Lawrence discusses the new album he’s produced Swoon, which features the late vocalist and songwriter Nora York, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Jamie Lawrence joins me again. The acclaimed composer and pianist is on to talk about the new release Swoon, an album celebrating the vocalist and songwriter Nora York. It’s the second posthumous release and it features York, and Jamie, who also produced the album. York, who died in 2016, was a talent hailed for her soulful voice and hypnotic stage presence. You hear that on Swoon, which features original songs, and musical juxtapositions of contemporary jazz and pop music. The album also features artwork by Nora’s husband Jerry Kearns. I’ll ask Jamie about how York wrote, and how he and York collaborated. These recordings are also song interpretations, and mashups, and I’ll get Jamie to tell us about songs on the album from a project called Jump, which was York’s adaptation of Tosca. I’ll also ask him about Water, Water Everywhere, from which a number of songs on this album are from, a prescient, timely project on climate change. Jamie Lawrence is the award-winning composer/pianist whose career has involved scoring film and television projects. He has also written original music for the Tony Awards broadcasts as well has been its music director/conductor and principal arranger. He is currently orchestrating the upcoming Broadway musical by Adam Guettel, Days of Wine and Roses, and just co-produced the cast recording. Visit www.jamielawrenceproductions.com for more information. This new album is from Good Mood Records and available on all digital and streaming platforms, as well as CD. We spoke nearly a month ago, with Jamie joining me from North Salem, New York. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Jamie Lawrence; Mr. Lawrence, good morning.

The post Jamie Lawrence first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

DAB September 02 - 2025