Chris McNulty

Chris McNulty (born December 23, 1953) is an Australian and American jazz vocalist composer, and educator. She has recorded eight studio albums and has performed internationally as a jazz vocalist. She was based in New York City for 28 years before relocating back to Australia in October 2015.

Life and career McNulty was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She began her professional career singing in pop bands in hotels and clubs in and around the city at age 16. She then toured Australia in pop, funk and R&B bands. In 1975, she settled back in Melbourne gaining steady work as a studio-session singer. In 1978, she formed her first jazz ensemble with Melbourne musicians, Paul Grabowsky, David Jones, Matt Kirsch, and Hermann Schwaiger.

In 1991, McNulty released her first American album, Waltz for Debbie, on the Discovery label. The recording included her vocal interpretation of Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green,” for which her lyrics were later officially published by Warner Chappell Music.

McNulty later released I Remember You (2004), Dance Delicioso (2005), and Whispers the Heart (2006), all of which were issued through Elefant Dreams , an independent label she co-founded in 2005 with guitarist Paul Bollenback.

McNulty has performed and recorded with the late Mulgrew Miller, John Hicks, George Mraz, Tony Reedus, Peter Leitch, Montez Coleman and Frank Wess. She has also collaborated and performed with long time colleagues Ugonna Okegwo, John Di Martino, Gary Bartz, Gary Thomas, Ingrid Jensen, Tim Garland, Tineke Postma, Billy Hart, Dave Pietro, Joe Locke, Greg Hutchinson, Marcus Gilmore, Matt Wilson, Adam Cruz, Kenny Washington, Joel Frahm, Gary Versace, David Budway, Harvey S, Andrei Kondakov, Igor Butman, and Paul Bollenback. It culminated in the 12-piece suite Finding Home – Other Australian Stories, reflecting narratives of refugees and immigrants in Australia. The work remains unrecorded.

In 2026, McNulty released Soul Journey, her eighth studio album and first recorded in Australia.

Awards and honours

Australian Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album for The Song That Sings You Here (2013). Soul Journey (Pearl Coast Jazz, 2026)

Personal life McNulty's son, Sam McNulty, died in 2011. He was also the son of saxophonist Kenny Garrett.