A long way off Broadway
Morgan James and the NZSO put Leonard Bernstein centre stage.
The last time Morgan James sang in New Zealand was with Postmodern Jukebox, an outfit dedicated to taking contemporary pop hits back to the jazz age and swing era. This time the New York singer is going pre-modern: she’s singing the songs of Leonard Bernstein with the NZSO in concerts celebrating the composer’s centenary.
New Zealand is a long way to come and celebrate the life of a quintessentially New York composer.
Well, I think of myself as a true New Yorker – and an expert in the ways of Bernstein – so I guess I’m perfectly suited. Ha! What an amazing excuse to celebrate one of the greatest.
So how do you rate him as a songwriter?
What I admire most about all my idols is their desire and compulsion to create and have their hand in every part of the creation. Bernstein was absolutely fearless and peerless when it came to vision. For better or for worse, he would never let an idea or a project dangle – he took that ball all the way to the end zone himself. Sorry, American football talk. I really admire that. His songs, in addition to being some of the most iconic melodies of the genre, are smart and sweet, and they touch you to the core in a personal way while somehow being grand as well.
What’s the trick to singing with an orchestra as opposed to fronting your own band?
The trick is that they are the star. You don’t compete with a symphony orchestra. You sit delicately, with humility, on that bed of glorious sound. It truly never gets old.
Having done Broadway, soul, jazz, R&B and more, you haven’t lacked for variety in your singing career. Was that always the plan?
As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. I’ve never planned any twist or turn in my career; they just happened and took me in all these wonderful (or disastrous) directions.
I am lucky to still be studying and I have maintained my classical technique and passion, and I can access “that Morgan”; I can write and perform my soul music and be “that Morgan”, as well. For a while people saw the diversity as a curse, not knowing what to do with me. But now I think people see the uniqueness in what I can do, and love to do, and they celebrate it.
Presumably you’ll be dressing up for the Bernstein show. Perhaps something vintage or West Side Story- inspired?
Of course. If I can manage it, a different dress for every song.
So, Sharks or Jets?
Sharks all the way. – Russell Baillie
Bernstein at 100 with the NZSO: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, May 11; Auckland Town Hall, May 18.