AFTER more than 25 years in the entertainment industry, soulful singer Noryn Aziz, long synonymous with jazz, now wants to step out of the “cocoon” of a genre that has defined her identity.
While acknowledging that jazz will always be closest to her heart, the 48-year-old feels the time has come to show more versatility and reveal different dimensions of her career.
“Throughout my career, I’ve often been asked to sing jazz – at events, for instance – so it stuck, and people say it suits me perfectly.
“But having been in the industry for so long … I feel my career shouldn’t be confined to just one genre. I’ve done pop rock, pop, jazz – even in a competition I entered recently, I showcased my versatility,” she said during BERNAMA Radio’s ‘Show Buzz’ programme recently.
Through her upcoming concert ‘This Is Noryn Aziz’, which will take place on September 12 at the DBKL Auditorium, the golden-voiced singer will perform more than 20 songs across multiple genres, celebrating her journey of over two decades as an artiste.
According to Noryn, the concert is not just a performance, but also a visual and emotional storytelling of her artistic journey – from a music student to a professional jazz singer, and now a mature entertainer more confident in her own identity.
“I want to share not only the songs I’ve sung, but also my feelings and emotions as a woman. There may be personal stories I’ve never shared on social media, but on that night, everything will be expressed through music,” she said with sincerity.
Adding something different, Noryn will also perform her latest single ‘Kaki Kiriku’, which was released on Friday. The song stands out for its playful use of a tongue twister, creatively woven into its melody.
“The lyrics include lines like ‘Kakakku kata kuku kaki … kaki kiriku’. It may sound playful, but it’s actually quite a challenge to pronounce in a jazzy tempo. Still, this is my way of capturing the attention of the younger generation, so they can appreciate jazz through a modern and fun approach,” she explained with a laugh.
Ahead of the concert, the ‘Fantasi Oh Realiti’ singer is not taking preparations lightly. She has been undergoing intensive vocal training and maintaining her stamina through exercise.
“I’m a bit unusual because I don’t feel comfortable using modern technology like prompters or in-ear monitors. So, I need to fully memorise all the songs,” she said. – BERNAMA
