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One of the most remarkable singers to emerge during the 1970s, Urszula Dudziak has a five-octave range, a fearless improvising style, sometimes utilizes electronics, and can create an endless range of otherworldly sounds.
Born in Poland, she played accordion and piano while growing up. She started singing when she was 15 and at 17 was discovered by Polish jazz composer Krzysztof Komeda. In 1965 she met violinist Michal Urbaniak who became her husband for the next 20 years before they eventually divorced.
After living and performing in Scandinavia for a few years, Dudziak and Urbaniak moved to New York in 1973. She made a few recordings, including Future Talk, that gained her a lot of attention. During an era when most jazz singers were either trying to find their way in fusion or reviving vintage standards, Dudziak was creating new music through her virtuosity and flow of inventive ideas. Her goal has always been to create sounds and music that she had never heard before.
Future Talk has six selections that feature the singer with a septet comprised of Urbaniak, altoist Zbigniew Namyslowski, Chris Brown on electric guitar, John Abercrombie on acoustic guitar, bassist Marcus Miller and drummer Buddy Williams. On these performances, Dudziak functions as a horn, leading the ensembles and interacting with the other musicians. The music is fairly accessible with Urbaniak and Namyslowski having the key solos with the singer.
But it is the four unaccompanied vocal pieces (“Future Talk,” “Chorale For One,” “By Myself” and “Double Bounce”) plus a very brief duet with Urbaniak (who switches to lyricon) on “Klick” that are most remarkable. Dudziak was free to improvise freely and, while her singing is generally tonal, the sounds that she creates are remarkable. She sounds a little like Bobby McFerrin in spots (he had not yet emerged) while blazing new paths for the voice. Some avant-garde singers engage in sound explorations, but Dudziak's music does not neglect melodic development so her wild singing is not only admired but enjoyed.
Review
"In the years since, Urszula Dudziak worked with the Gil Evans Orchestra, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie and the Vienna Art Orchestra, in addition to her own projects in Europe. But Future Talk is still one of her best all-round recordings, really displaying her artistry. -Scott Yanow
"Urszula Dudziak was one of the most remarkable singers to emerge during the 1970s, having a five-octave range, never being shy to improvise freely, and able to create otherworldly sounds with her innovative use of electronics. On Future Talk she is featured with a septet that includes such notables as her husband violinist Michal Urbaniak, altoist Zbigniew Namyslowski, guitarist John Abercrombie and bassist Marcus Miller. While the group pieces are dazzling, with Dudziak functioning as a horn, she also has four unaccompanied vocal showcases and a brief duet with Urbaniak. Throughout these performances, Urszula Dudziak creates a wide variety of dazzling and unusual sounds, predating Bobby McFerrin by a decade with her innovations" -Scott Yanow
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