Morley, weaves the threads of jazz, soul, and folk traditions into a singular tapestry of vocal and acoustic splendor — the sound wave of a life lived with uncommon devotion to human rights and environmental justice.
Raised in vibrantly multicultural Jamaica, Queens, and educated at the United Nations School, Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts and Alvin Ailey, Morley performs all over the world, both as a soloist and with her self – titled band. She is often called on to sing for and with visionaries on the frontiers of climate and social change.
Follow The Sound, Morley’s new album, was co – produced with Chris Bruce, features contributions from Toumani Diabaté (kora), Meshell Ndegeocello (bass, percussion, vocals), Shara Nova a.k.a. My Brightest Diamond (vocals), Jon Cowherd (piano, vocals), Chris Bruce (guitar, bass, vocals, keyboard, drum programming), Arun & Trina Ramamurthy (violins), Jack DeBoe, Jay Bellerose and Abe Rounds (drums, percussion), Cole Kamen (trumpet), Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller, Jason Charles Walker and Alex Koi (supporting vocals) and Rashaan Carter (bass and sound engineer). Mixed by Ken Rich and Mastered by Greg Calbi, Track 3 “Where Are We” was arranged by Daniel Lanois
Morley and Chris recorded with Ken Rich at Grand Street Recording and Rashaan Carter at Looking Glass Arts and also engineered their own sessions remotely.
Follow The Sound was made possible by a generous grant from The Café Royal Cultural Foundation, and Artist Residencies from the renowned Baldwin For The Arts and Looking Glass Arts.
Morley’s music appears on network television, commercials and in human rights documentaries, and has moved minds and spirits as diverse as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, entrepreneur Richard Branson, Nobel laureates Jodi Williams, Mary Robinson and Ela Gandhi. Morley has graced stages as wide-ranging as the Nomad Women’s Festival in the Sahara Desert, to Carnegie Hall.
A featured performer and speaker for TEDWomen and several TEDx gatherings nation wide, Morley created and produces “Circle Round Dignity, Courage and Survival“ a performance based round table which has been generously commissioned by Lincoln Center for Lincoln Center, over the span of four years. Morley spearheaded the successful fundraiser Borderless Lullabies that continues to be a source of revenue for the pro-bono legal defense fund, KIND: Kids – In – Need – Of – Defense, representing unaccompanied refugee minors in court after being separated by ICE.
To date, Morley has released seven albums of original songs via Sony, Universal and independently. She is a founding member of The Bruces and the cast of Toshi Reagon’s. “Parable Of The Sower – The Opera” and has penned songs for the great William Parker, Richard Bona, Youn Sun Nah, and more. Morley and Chris Bruce wrote and performed the theme song for, “That Kindness – A play for and by the Nurses of America” V (Formerly Eve Ensler).
Morley also uses music as a tool for dialogue facilitation and conflict resolution when working with survivors of human trafficking and war.
“Morley pushes for peace building through music.”
“Morley’s poetic and large-hearted lyrics reverence the unsung heroes and heroisms of which our noblest nature is woven, reminding us that art may be humanity’s mightiest tool of empathy and reconciliation”
“Morley embodies modern-day NY femininity in all its multicultural finesse.”
“Morley creates modern soul music – cerebral lyrics, sultry grooves and vocal sophistication.”
“Morley’s harmonically interesting low-key vibe is one that combines Nina Simone’s coy wisdom with Joan Armatrading’s vulnerable expressions of emotion.”
“The music of Morley… love, kindness and hope at every bend.”
“Morley expertly combines an earthiness, sensuality, etherealness, intelligence and social consciousness, and melds it into sophisticated, globally-minded pop.”