Jump to content

Ken Nordine: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,548,643 edits
 
(71 intermediate revisions by 42 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American voice-over and recording artist (1920–2019)}}
{{Recent death|Nordine Ken}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Ken Nordine
| name = Ken Nordine
Line 5: Line 5:
| caption = Ken Nordine's ''[[Colors (Ken Nordine album)|Colors]]'' album
| caption = Ken Nordine's ''[[Colors (Ken Nordine album)|Colors]]'' album
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1920|4|13}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1920|4|13}}
| birth_place = [[Cherokee, Iowa]], United States
| birth_place = [[Cherokee, Iowa]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|2|16|1920|4|13}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|2|16|1920|4|13}}
| death_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-ken-nordine-dead-0217-story.html|title=Ken Nordine, Chicago creator of 'word jazz' who had a voice that 'could give you the chills,' dies at 98|first=Rick|last=Kogan|website=chicagotribune.com|date=16 February 2019 }}</ref>
| occupation = Voice-over, radio host, musician
| occupation = Voice-over, radio host, musician
| yearsactive = 1948–2019
| years_active = 1948–2019
| children = 3
| spouse = Beryl Vaughn
}}
}}


'''Ken Nordine''' (April 13, 1920 – February 16, 2019) was an American [[voice-over]] and recording artist, best known for his series of [[Word Jazz]] albums. His deep, resonant voice has also been featured in many [[advertising|commercial advertisement]]s and [[movie trailers]]. One critic wrote that "you may not know Ken Nordine by name or face, but you'll almost certainly recognize his voice."<ref>{{Allmusic
'''Ken Nordine''' (April 13, 1920 – February 16, 2019) was an American [[voice-over]] and recording artist, best known for his series of [[Word Jazz|word jazz]] albums.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kogan |first1=Rick |title=Ken Nordine, Chicago creator of 'word jazz' who had a voice that 'could give you chills' dies at 98 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-ken-nordine-dead-0217-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=16 February 2019 |access-date=21 April 2019}}</ref> His deep, resonant voice has also been featured in many [[advertising|commercial advertisement]]s and [[movie trailers]]. One critic wrote that "you may not know Ken Nordine by name or face, but you'll almost certainly recognize his voice."<ref>{{Allmusic
| class = album
| class = album
| id = r527167
| id = r527167
Line 20: Line 23:


== Life and career ==
== Life and career ==
The son of Theresia and Nore S. Nordine, a contractor, Ken Nordine was born in [[Cherokee, Iowa]]. The family later moved to [[Chicago]], where he attended [[Lane Technical College Prep High School]] and the [[University of Chicago]]. During the 1940s, he was heard on ''[[The World's Great Novels]]'' and other radio programs broadcast from Chicago. One of which, [[Honore de Balzac]]'s short story “Une passion dans le désert”, was recorded for the 1955 album ''Passion in the Desert''.<ref name="Jukebox"/> In 1955 he provided the voiceover on [[Billy Vaughn]]'s version of ''[[Shifting Whispering Sands]]'', which peaked at #5 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. He subsequently attracted wider attention when he recorded the aural vignettes on ''Word Jazz'' (Dot, 1957). ''Love Words'', ''Son of Word Jazz'' (Dot, 1958) and his other albums in this vein feature Nordine's narration over [[cool jazz]] by the [[Fred Katz (cellist)|Fred Katz]] Group featuring [[Chico Hamilton]] recording under an alias.<ref>{{Allmusic
The son of Theresia (Danielson) and Nore S. Nordine, a contractor, Ken Nordine was born in [[Cherokee, Iowa]]. His parents were Swedish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edgewaterhistory.org/ehs/articles/v18-1-4|title=Mother and Son – an exhibit at the Swedish American Museum Center – Edgewater Historical Society|website=www.edgewaterhistory.org}}</ref> The family later moved to [[Chicago]], where he attended [[Lane Technical College Prep High School]] and the [[University of Chicago]]. During the 1940s, he was heard on ''[[The World's Great Novels]]'' and other radio programs broadcast from Chicago. One of which, [[Honore de Balzac]]'s short story "Une passion dans le désert", was recorded for the 1955 album ''Passion in the Desert''.<ref name="Jukebox"/> In 1955, he provided the voiceover on [[Billy Vaughn]]'s version of "[[Shifting Whispering Sands]]", which peaked at number 5 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. He subsequently attracted wider attention when he recorded the aural vignettes on ''Word Jazz'' (Dot, 1957). ''Love Words'', ''Son of Word Jazz'' (Dot, 1958) and his other albums in this vein feature Nordine's narration over [[cool jazz]] by the [[Fred Katz (cellist)|Fred Katz]] Group featuring [[Chico Hamilton]] recording under an alias.<ref>{{Allmusic
| class = artist
| class = artist
| id = p7240
| id = p7240
Line 31: Line 34:
|title = Ken Nordine the Word Jazz Impresario
|title = Ken Nordine the Word Jazz Impresario
|url = http://www.chicagojazz.com/magazine/ken-nordine-the-word-jazz-impresario-693.html
|url = http://www.chicagojazz.com/magazine/ken-nordine-the-word-jazz-impresario-693.html
|date = 2011-05-13
|date = May 13, 2011
|work = Chicago Jazz Magazine
|magazine = Chicago Jazz Magazine
|accessdate = 2014-08-28
|access-date = August 28, 2014
|deadurl = yes
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150613032619/http://www.chicagojazz.com/magazine/ken-nordine-the-word-jazz-impresario-693.html
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150613032619/http://www.chicagojazz.com/magazine/ken-nordine-the-word-jazz-impresario-693.html
|archivedate = 2015-06-13
|archive-date = June 13, 2015
⚫
}}</ref> Many of his word jazz tracks feature critiques of societal norms.<ref name="flashpoint"/> Some are lightweight and humorous, while others reveal dark, [[Paranoia|paranoid]] undercurrents and bizarre, dream-like scenarios. Nordine's DVD, ''The Eye Is Never Filled'' was released in 2007.<ref name="flashpoint">{{cite web|url=https://flashpoint.columbiacollege.edu/blogs/ken-nordine-the-voice-of-chicago-visits-flashpoint-academy-to-plan-student-workshop/|title=Ken Nordine (The voice of Chicago) visits Flashpoint academy to plan student workshop|publisher=Columbia College|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>
|df =
⚫
}}</ref> Many of his word jazz tracks feature critiques of societal norms. Some are lightweight and humorous, while others reveal dark, [[Paranoia|paranoid]] undercurrents and bizarre, dream-like scenarios. Nordine's DVD, ''The Eye Is Never Filled'', (2005) provides a flow of abstract visuals to accompany the audio tracks.


Nordine hosted the weekly Word Jazz program on [[WBEZ]], also carried on other stations, from the 1970s for over forty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/13851011/ken-nordine-word-jazz-creator-dies-at-98|title=Ken Nordine, 'Word Jazz' Creator, Dies at 98|date=16 February 2019 |publisher=KQED|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>
⚫
In 1990 Nordine was approached by [[Jerry Garcia]] of [[The Grateful Dead]] to be the anchor for their New Year's Eve radio broadcast from [[Oakland]], California.<ref name="Grateful">{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-31/entertainment/ca-356_1_nordine-s-word-jazz|title=The New Word Jazz of Ken Nordine|publisher=LA Times|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> For the broadcast he recorded some improvisations with Garcia, drummer [[Mickey Hart]] and Egyptian musician [[Hamza El-Din]].<ref name="Grateful"/> This subsequently lead to an album ''Devout Catalyst'', released on the Grateful Dead's own label in 1991<ref name="Grateful"/> and ''Upper Limbo'' in 1993<ref name="Limbo">{{cite web|url=http://www.dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-272|title=Grateful Dead Hour No. 272|publisher=Dead.net|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> and appearances with the band such as their show at [[Rosemont, Illinois]] in March 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-11-1993|title=Dead of the Day:March 11 1993|publisher=gratefuldeadoftheday.com|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> Nordine hosted a weekly radio program and maintains residences in [[Chicago]], Illinois, and [[Spread Eagle, Wisconsin]].


Nordine was in demand as a voiceover artist on commercials for several companies including the [[First Chicago Bank]], [[Levi's]], [[Gallo Wine]] and [[Magnavox]] amongst others.<ref name="CSTObit">{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ken-nordine-dies-at-98-radio-announcer-influential-word-jazz-artist/|title=Ken Nordine dies at 98;radio announced and influential 'word jazz' artist|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>
⚫
In 2007 he was a performer at the [[David Bowie]] curated High Line Festival in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/arts/07high.html|title=High Line Festival - David Bowie|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref>


In 1988, Nordine appeared on two selections from the album ''[[Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films]]'':
With his wife, wife Beryl, whom he married in 1945, he had three sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=beryl-nordine&pid=179930048&fhid=16200|title=Beryl Nordine obituary|publisher=Legacy.com|accessdate=16 February 2019}}</ref>
"[[Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee|Hi Diddle Dee Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)]]" from ''[[Pinocchio (1940 film)|Pinocchio]]'', and "Desolation Theme", also from ''Pinocchio''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/189968-Various-Stay-Awake-Various-Interpretations-Of-Music-From-Vintage-Disney-Films|website=Discogs|title=Various – Stay Awake (Various Interpretations Of Music From Vintage Disney Films)|year=1988 |accessdate=April 16, 2023}}</ref>

⚫
In 1990, Nordine was approached by [[Jerry Garcia]] of [[The Grateful Dead]] to be the anchor for their New Year's Eve radio broadcast from [[Oakland]], California.<ref name="Grateful">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-31-ca-356-story.html|title=The New Word Jazz of Ken Nordine|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> For the broadcast he recorded some improvisations with Garcia, drummer [[Mickey Hart]] and Egyptian musician [[Hamza El-Din]].<ref name="Grateful"/> This subsequently led to an album ''Devout Catalyst'', released on the Grateful Dead's own label in 1991<ref name="Grateful"/> and ''Upper Limbo'' in 1993<ref name="Limbo">{{cite web|url=http://www.dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-272|title=Grateful Dead Hour No. 272|date=17 August 2011 |publisher=Dead.net|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> and an appearance with the band live at a show at [[Rosemont, Illinois]], in March 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-11-1993|title=Dead of the Day:March 11 1993|publisher=gratefuldeadoftheday.com|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref>

⚫
In 2007, he was a performer at the High Line Festival in New York, curated by [[David Bowie]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/arts/07high.html|title=High Line Festival – David Bowie|newspaper=New York Times|date=7 May 2007 |access-date=October 6, 2018|last1=Sisario |first1=Ben }}</ref>

With his wife, the former Beryl Vaughn, an actress whom he married in 1945, he had three sons. Beryl died April 26, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=beryl-nordine&pid=179930048&fhid=16200|title=Beryl Nordine obituary|newspaper=Legacy.com|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref> Ken Nordine died February 16, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-ken-nordine-dead-0217-story.html|title=Ken Nordine, 98, dies. Chicago creator of word jazz, with a 'voice that could give you the chills'|first=Rick|last=Kogan|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 16, 2019|access-date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>


== Films and television ==
== Films and television ==
Nordine appeared as the narrator, credited as "The Stranger", in [[Philip Kaufman]]'s 1967 underground comedy ''[[Fearless Frank]]''.<ref>{{IMDb title|tt0061654|Fearless Frank (1967)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
Nordine appeared as the narrator, credited as "The Stranger", in [[Philip Kaufman]]'s 1967 underground comedy ''[[Fearless Frank]]''.<ref>{{IMDb title|tt0061654|Fearless Frank (1967)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-19/entertainment/ct-ae-1021-borrelli-20121019_1_chicago-international-film-festival-leonard-cohen-wbez
| url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-19/entertainment/ct-ae-1021-borrelli-20121019_1_chicago-international-film-festival-leonard-cohen-wbez
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727102813/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-19/entertainment/ct-ae-1021-borrelli-20121019_1_chicago-international-film-festival-leonard-cohen-wbez
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=July 27, 2013
| title='Word Jazz' pioneer Ken Nordine gets closer look
| title='Word Jazz' pioneer Ken Nordine gets closer look
| first=Christopher
| first=Christopher
| last=Borrelli
| last=Borrelli
| date=2012-10-19
| date=October 19, 2012
| work=Chicago Tribune
| work=Chicago Tribune
| accessdate=2014-08-28}}</ref> He was also [[Linda Blair]]'s vocal coach for her role in ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''.<ref name="chicagojazz"/><ref>{{cite web
| access-date=August 28, 2014}}</ref> He was also [[Linda Blair]]'s vocal coach for her role in the 1973 film ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''.<ref name="chicagojazz"/> Subsequently, Nordine filed a lawsuit, saying he was not properly compensated for his work, eventually settling in 1979.<ref name="CSTObit"/>
| title=Ken Nordine
| url=http://www.last.fm/music/Ken+Nordine/+wiki
| publisher=[[Last.fm]]
| accessdate=2014-08-28}}</ref>


Nordine narrated several films for classroom use, made by Coronet Instructional Films in the 1950s. In at least one, ''Developing Your Character'', he appears on screen.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Ken|title=Mental Hygiene: Classroom Films 1945-1970|date=1999|page=137|publisher=[[Blast Books]]|location=New York|isbn=0-922233-21-7}}</ref>
Nordine narrated several films for classroom use, made by Coronet Instructional Films in the 1950s. In at least one, ''Developing Your Character'', he appears on screen.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Ken|title=Mental Hygiene: Classroom Films 1945-1970|date=1999|page=137|publisher=[[Blast Books]]|location=New York|isbn=0-922233-21-7}}</ref>


On television, Nordine did a series of readings on a show titled ''Faces in the Window'' on WNBQ, and Fred Astaire danced to Nordine's "My Baby" on a TV special.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuxjunction.net/media/mybaby.mp3 |title=Ken Nordine's "My Baby" |publisher=tuxjunction.net |format=[[MP3]] |accessdate=2014-08-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423123029/http://tuxjunction.net/media/mybaby.mp3 |archivedate=April 23, 2015 }}</ref> Nordine's past radio series were ''Now Nordine'' and ''Word Jazz''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/will-ken-nordine-ever-grow-up/Content?oid=875997|title=Will Ken Nordine Ever Grow Up?|publisher=Chicago Reader|accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref>
On television, Nordine did a series of readings on a show titled ''Faces in the Window'' on WNBQ, and Fred Astaire danced to Nordine's "My Baby" on a TV special.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuxjunction.net/media/mybaby.mp3 |title=Ken Nordine's "My Baby" |publisher=tuxjunction.net |format=[[MP3]] |access-date=August 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423123029/http://tuxjunction.net/media/mybaby.mp3 |archive-date=April 23, 2015 }}</ref> Nordine's past radio series were ''Now Nordine'' and ''Word Jazz''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/will-ken-nordine-ever-grow-up/Content?oid=875997|title=Will Ken Nordine Ever Grow Up?|newspaper=Chicago Reader|access-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> He also provided the opening narration for the music video of "[[Can You Feel It (The Jacksons song)|Can You Feel It]]" by the [[The Jackson 5|Jacksons]]. In 1986, Nordine appeared on The Jay Leno Show (TV special) as the storyteller.


Nordine worked with author [[Maurice Sendak]] on Sesame Street, providing the narration for the animated segments "Bumble Ardy"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.djfood.org/rip-maurice-sendak/|title=RIP Maurice Sendak|publisher=DJFood.com|accessdate=28 September 2018}}</ref> and "Seven Monsters".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/sesame-street-was-brought-to-you-today-by/|title=Sesame Street was brought to you today|publisher=Cartoonresearch.com|accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref>
Nordine worked with author [[Maurice Sendak]] on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', providing the narration for the animated segments "Bumble Ardy"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.djfood.org/rip-maurice-sendak/|title=RIP Maurice Sendak|date=8 May 2012 |publisher=DJFood.com|access-date=September 28, 2018}}</ref> and "Seven Monsters".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/sesame-street-was-brought-to-you-today-by/|title=Sesame Street was brought to you today|publisher=Cartoonresearch.com|access-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref>


Nordine provided the voiceover for [[NewTek]]'s [[Video Toaster]] demo reels, such as the 1991 "Revolution".<ref>{{YouTube|4X9alSsQLc8|title="Revolution" NEWTEK Video Toaster Demo Reel 1991}}</ref>
Nordine provided the voiceover for [[NewTek]]'s [[Video Toaster]] demo reels, such as the 1991 "Revolution".<ref>{{YouTube|4X9alSsQLc8|title="Revolution" NEWTEK Video Toaster Demo Reel 1991}}</ref>


== Discography ==
== Selected discography ==
{{main|Ken Nordine discography}}
*1955 – ''Passion in the Desert''<ref name="Jukebox">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejukeboxrebel.com/album-chart-of-1955|title=Album Chart of 1955|publisher=Thejukebox Rebel|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> (FM)
*1957 – ''[[Word Jazz]]''<ref name="Treblezine">{{cite web|url=https://www.treblezine.com/from-the-crates-ken-nordine/|title=From the Crates:Ken Nordine|publisher=Treblezine.com|accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref> (Dot)
*1955 – ''Passion in the Desert''<ref name="Jukebox">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejukeboxrebel.com/album-chart-of-1955|title=Album Chart of 1955|publisher=Thejukebox Rebel|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> (FM)
*1957 – ''[[Word Jazz]]''<ref name="Treblezine">{{cite web|url=https://www.treblezine.com/from-the-crates-ken-nordine/|title=From the Crates:Ken Nordine|date=7 May 2013|publisher=Treblezine.com|access-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> (Dot)
*1958 – ''[[Son of Word Jazz]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> (Dot)
*1958 – ''[[Son of Word Jazz]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> (Dot)
*1958 – ''[[Love Words]]''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Dot) – also released as ''The Voice of Love'' (Hamilton)
*1958 – ''[[Love Words]]''<ref name="Profiles">{{cite web|url=http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2013/04/ken-nordine-word-jazz.html|title=Jazz Profiles:Ken Nordine|date=16 April 2013|publisher=Jazzprofiles.blogspot.com|access-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> (Dot)
*1959 – ''Next!''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Dot)
*1959 – ''Next!''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Dot)
*1960 – ''Word Jazz Vol. II''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Dot)
*1960 – ''Word Jazz Vol. II''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Dot)
*1967 – ''[[Colors (Ken Nordine album)|Colors]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> (Philips)
*1967 – ''[[Colors (Ken Nordine album)|Colors]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> (Philips)
*1967 – ''Ken Nordine Does Robert Shure's Twink''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Philips)
*1967 – ''Ken Nordine Does Robert Shure: Twink''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Philips)
*1979 – ''Stare with Your Ears''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Snail)
*1979 – ''Stare with Your Ears''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Snail)
*1984 – ''Triple Talk''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Snail)
*1984 – ''Triple Talk''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Snail)
Line 82: Line 91:
*1991 – ''Devout Catalyst''<ref name="Grateful"/> (Grateful Dead)
*1991 – ''Devout Catalyst''<ref name="Grateful"/> (Grateful Dead)
*1993 – ''Upper Limbo''<ref name="Limbo"/> (Grateful Dead)
*1993 – ''Upper Limbo''<ref name="Limbo"/> (Grateful Dead)
*2001 – ''Transparent Mask''<ref>{{cite Web|url=https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/ken-nordine-word-jazz-a-transparent-mask/|title=Ken Nordine:Word Jazz: A Transparent Mask|publisher=Jazz Times|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> (Asphodel)
*2001 – ''Transparent Mask''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/ken-nordine-word-jazz-a-transparent-mask/|title=Ken Nordine:Word Jazz: A Transparent Mask|publisher=Jazz Times|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> (Asphodel)
*2005 – ''The Eye Is Never Filled'' (DVD, Snail)
*2007 – ''The Eye Is Never Filled'' (DVD, Snail)<ref name="flashpoint"/>


===Compilations===
== References ==
*1959 – ''My Baby'' (Dot)
*1968 – ''The Classic Collection: The Best of Word Jazz Vol. 3'' (Dot)
*1971 – ''How Are Things in Your Town?''<ref name="Profiles"/> (Blue Thumb)
*1990 – ''Best of Word Jazz'' (Rhino)
*2005 – ''You're Getting Better: The Word Jazz Dot Masters'' (Hip-O Select)

=== Guest appearances ===
*1955 – ''The Shifting Whispering Sands''<ref name="Profiles"/> – Billy Vaughn (Dot) (credited as Ken Nordene on this release)
*1957 – ''Concert in the Sky'' – Teddy Phillips and His Orchestra (Decca)
*1958 – ''Sounds in Space'' (RCA Victor SP-33-13)
*1962 – ''Radio Rebus''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ken-Nordine-Radio-Rebus/release/4311572|title=Ken Nordine - Radio Rebus|publisher=Discogs.com|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> (US Army Recruiting Service)
*1968 – ''[[H. P. Lovecraft II]]''<ref name="Profiles"/> – [[H. P. Lovecraft (band)|H. P. Lovecraft]] (Philips) – "Nothing's Boy"
*1997 – ''Fun for the Whole Family'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.babysue.com/LMNOP-Reviews-Apr-98.html|title=babysue:LMNOP reviews April 1998|publisher=babysue.com|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref>– Lord Runningclam (Bottom Heavy) / 1998 (Moonshine Music) – "Faces in the Night" and "Flibberty Jib"
*1998 – ''[[Sound Museum]]'' – [[Towa Tei]] (Elektra) – "The Sound Museum"
*2000 – ''A Dub Plate of Food Vol. 2''<ref name="Credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ken-nordine-mn0000034730/credits|title=Ken Nordine|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref> – [[DJ Food]] ([[Ninja Tune]])
*2000 – ''Kaleidoscope''<ref name="Treblezine"/> – DJ Food (Ninja Tune) – "The Ageing Young Rebel"
*2000 – ''Xen Cuts''<ref name="Credits"/> – Various Artists – DJ Food (Ninja Tune) – "The Ageing Young Rebel"
*2002 – ''[[Cago]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> – [[Dead Man Ray]] (Virgin) – "Blue Volkswagen 10:10 AM"
*2007 – ''[[Excellent Italian Greyhound]]''<ref name="Treblezine"/> – [[Shellac (band)|Shellac]] ([[Touch and Go Records|Touch & Go]]) – "Genuine Lulabelle" [uncredited]
*2012 – ''[[The Search Engine]]'' DJ Food – "All Covered In Darkness"(sampled vocal)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ninjatune.london/news/dj-food-one-mans-weird-is-another-mans-world|title=One Man's Weird Is Another Man's World|publisher=Ninja Tune|accessdate=6 October 2018}}</ref>

=== Compilation tracks ===
*1959 – ''Deejay's Choice: 25 Top Album Performances on Dot'' (Dot) – "My Baby"
*1959 – ''Excerpts from the Original Soundtrack of Another Evening with Fred Astaire'' (Chrysler) – "My Baby"
*1965 – ''A Child's Introduction to the Classics'' (Childcraft/Wing) – "Barber of Seville"
*1973 – ''Original Early Top 40 Hits'' (Paramount) – "The Shifting Whispering Sands, Part 1" with Billy Vaughn
*1988 – ''[[Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films]]''<ref name="Profiles">{{cite web|url=http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2013/04/ken-nordine-word-jazz.html|title=Jazz Profiles:Ken Nordine|publisher=Jazzprofiles.blogspot.com|accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref> (A&M)
*1991 – ''Train of Thought: Stories, Music & Eclectic Audio Entertainment'', Vol.1 (Com Audio) – "Mr. City"
*1992 – ''The Beat Generation'' box set (Rhino) – "Reaching Into In" and "Hunger Is From"
*1993 – ''A Chance Operation: The John Cage Tribute'' (Koch) – "A Cage Went in Search of a Bird"
*1994 – ''Incredibly Strange Music'', Vol. 2 (Asphodel) – "Flesh," "Green" and "Yellow"
*1995 – ''All Day Thumbsucker Revisited'' (Blue Thumb/GRP) – "Roger"
*1995 – ''Chop Suey Rock (Hot & Sour)'' – "Hot" as Ken Nordine and His Kinsmen
*1995 – ''Monster Sounds and Boppin' Tracks'' (Marginal) – "Strollin' Spooks"
*1997 – ''Closed on Account of Rabies: Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe'' (Mercury) – "The Conqueror Worm"
*1999 – ''The Annoying Music Show's The Annoying Music Show CD''
*2000 – ''The Annoying Music Show's The Annoying Music Show Holiday CD'' – "Ken Nordine Says Jim Nayder's Name"
*2002 – ''The Best of the Beat Generation'' (Rhino) – "My Baby"


=== Related recordings ===
*1951 – ''Incredible But True Radio'' (Columbia)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* Marciniak, Vwadek P., ''Politics, Humor and the Counterculture: Laughter in the Age of Decay'' (New York etc., 2008).
* Marciniak, Vwadek P., ''Politics, Humor and the Counterculture: Laughter in the Age of Decay'' (New York etc., 2008).
* Stephenson, Gregory, ''Speaking Volumes: Ken Nordine's Word Jazz''. (Heidelberg: Ober Limbo Verlag, 2019.)


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221150258/http://wordjazz.com:80/ |date=21 February 2015 |title=Ken Nordine's Word Jazz site and podcast}}
* [http://www.wordjazz.com/ Official Ken Nordine Word Jazz website]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221150258/http://wordjazz.com:80/ |date=February 21, 2015 |title=Ken Nordine's previous Word Jazz site and podcast}}
* {{Discogs artist|Ken Nordine}}
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Ken+Nordine Ken Nordine] at [[Last.fm]]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Ken+Nordine Ken Nordine] at [[Last.fm]]
* {{youtube|user=kennordine|title=Ken Nordine}} (official)
* {{YouTube|user=kennordine|title=Ken Nordine}} (official)
* {{cite news
* {{cite news
| url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5065035
| url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5065035
| title=How Do We Know When Now Is?
| title=How Do We Know When Now Is?
| author=Ken Nordine
| author=Ken Nordine
| date=2005-12-21
| date=December 21, 2005
| publisher=[[NPR]]}}
| publisher=[[NPR]]}}


Line 163: Line 133:
[[Category:Writers from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Writers from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Illinois]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Illinois]]
[[Category:American people of Swedish descent]]
[[Category:University of Chicago alumni]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 9 September 2024

Ken Nordine
Born(1920-04-13)April 13, 1920
Cherokee, Iowa, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2019(2019-02-16) (aged 98)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[1]
Occupation(s)Voice-over, radio host, musician
Years active1948–2019
SpouseBeryl Vaughn
Children3

Ken Nordine (April 13, 1920 – February 16, 2019) was an American voice-over and recording artist, best known for his series of word jazz albums.[2] His deep, resonant voice has also been featured in many commercial advertisements and movie trailers. One critic wrote that "you may not know Ken Nordine by name or face, but you'll almost certainly recognize his voice."[3]

Life and career

[edit]

The son of Theresia (Danielson) and Nore S. Nordine, a contractor, Ken Nordine was born in Cherokee, Iowa. His parents were Swedish.[4] The family later moved to Chicago, where he attended Lane Technical College Prep High School and the University of Chicago. During the 1940s, he was heard on The World's Great Novels and other radio programs broadcast from Chicago. One of which, Honore de Balzac's short story "Une passion dans le désert", was recorded for the 1955 album Passion in the Desert.[5] In 1955, he provided the voiceover on Billy Vaughn's version of "Shifting Whispering Sands", which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He subsequently attracted wider attention when he recorded the aural vignettes on Word Jazz (Dot, 1957). Love Words, Son of Word Jazz (Dot, 1958) and his other albums in this vein feature Nordine's narration over cool jazz by the Fred Katz Group featuring Chico Hamilton recording under an alias.[6][7]

Nordine began performing and recording such albums at the peak of the beat era and was associated with the poetry-and-jazz movement. However, it has been observed that some of Nordine's writings "are more akin to Franz Kafka or Edgar Allan Poe" than to the beats.[8] Many of his word jazz tracks feature critiques of societal norms.[9] Some are lightweight and humorous, while others reveal dark, paranoid undercurrents and bizarre, dream-like scenarios. Nordine's DVD, The Eye Is Never Filled was released in 2007.[9]

Nordine hosted the weekly Word Jazz program on WBEZ, also carried on other stations, from the 1970s for over forty years.[10]

Nordine was in demand as a voiceover artist on commercials for several companies including the First Chicago Bank, Levi's, Gallo Wine and Magnavox amongst others.[11]

In 1988, Nordine appeared on two selections from the album Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films: "Hi Diddle Dee Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)" from Pinocchio, and "Desolation Theme", also from Pinocchio.[12]

In 1990, Nordine was approached by Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead to be the anchor for their New Year's Eve radio broadcast from Oakland, California.[13] For the broadcast he recorded some improvisations with Garcia, drummer Mickey Hart and Egyptian musician Hamza El-Din.[13] This subsequently led to an album Devout Catalyst, released on the Grateful Dead's own label in 1991[13] and Upper Limbo in 1993[14] and an appearance with the band live at a show at Rosemont, Illinois, in March 1993.[15]

In 2007, he was a performer at the High Line Festival in New York, curated by David Bowie.[16]

With his wife, the former Beryl Vaughn, an actress whom he married in 1945, he had three sons. Beryl died April 26, 2016.[17] Ken Nordine died February 16, 2019.[18]

Films and television

[edit]

Nordine appeared as the narrator, credited as "The Stranger", in Philip Kaufman's 1967 underground comedy Fearless Frank.[19][20] He was also Linda Blair's vocal coach for her role in the 1973 film The Exorcist.[8] Subsequently, Nordine filed a lawsuit, saying he was not properly compensated for his work, eventually settling in 1979.[11]

Nordine narrated several films for classroom use, made by Coronet Instructional Films in the 1950s. In at least one, Developing Your Character, he appears on screen.[21]

On television, Nordine did a series of readings on a show titled Faces in the Window on WNBQ, and Fred Astaire danced to Nordine's "My Baby" on a TV special.[22] Nordine's past radio series were Now Nordine and Word Jazz.[23] He also provided the opening narration for the music video of "Can You Feel It" by the Jacksons. In 1986, Nordine appeared on The Jay Leno Show (TV special) as the storyteller.

Nordine worked with author Maurice Sendak on Sesame Street, providing the narration for the animated segments "Bumble Ardy"[24] and "Seven Monsters".[25]

Nordine provided the voiceover for NewTek's Video Toaster demo reels, such as the 1991 "Revolution".[26]

Selected discography

[edit]
Main article: Ken Nordine discography
  • 1955 – Passion in the Desert[5] (FM)
  • 1957 – Word Jazz[27] (Dot)
  • 1958 – Son of Word Jazz[27] (Dot)
  • 1958 – Love Words[28] (Dot)
  • 1959 – Next![28] (Dot)
  • 1960 – Word Jazz Vol. II[28] (Dot)
  • 1967 – Colors[27] (Philips)
  • 1967 – Ken Nordine Does Robert Shure: Twink[28] (Philips)
  • 1979 – Stare with Your Ears[28] (Snail)
  • 1984 – Triple Talk[28] (Snail)
  • 1986 – Grandson of Word Jazz[28] (Snail)
  • 1991 – Devout Catalyst[13] (Grateful Dead)
  • 1993 – Upper Limbo[14] (Grateful Dead)
  • 2001 – Transparent Mask[29] (Asphodel)
  • 2007 – The Eye Is Never Filled (DVD, Snail)[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kogan, Rick (16 February 2019). "Ken Nordine, Chicago creator of 'word jazz' who had a voice that 'could give you the chills,' dies at 98". chicagotribune.com.
  2. ^ Kogan, Rick (16 February 2019). "Ken Nordine, Chicago creator of 'word jazz' who had a voice that 'could give you chills' dies at 98". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  3. ^ Love, Bret. Review of A Transparent Mask at AllMusic
  4. ^ "Mother and Son – an exhibit at the Swedish American Museum Center – Edgewater Historical Society". www.edgewaterhistory.org.
  5. ^ a b "Album Chart of 1955". Thejukebox Rebel. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Unterberger, Richie. Biography of Ken Nordine at AllMusic
  7. ^ Weber M., The CODA Interview with Fred Katz, CODA The Jazz Magazine, Issue 176 (1980)
  8. ^ a b "Ken Nordine the Word Jazz Impresario". Chicago Jazz Magazine. May 13, 2011. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Ken Nordine (The voice of Chicago) visits Flashpoint academy to plan student workshop". Columbia College. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  10. ^ "Ken Nordine, 'Word Jazz' Creator, Dies at 98". KQED. 16 February 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Ken Nordine dies at 98;radio announced and influential 'word jazz' artist". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Various – Stay Awake (Various Interpretations Of Music From Vintage Disney Films)". Discogs. 1988. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d "The New Word Jazz of Ken Nordine". LA Times. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Grateful Dead Hour No. 272". Dead.net. 17 August 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  15. ^ "Dead of the Day:March 11 1993". gratefuldeadoftheday.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  16. ^ Sisario, Ben (7 May 2007). "High Line Festival – David Bowie". New York Times. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  17. ^ "Beryl Nordine obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  18. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 16, 2019). "Ken Nordine, 98, dies. Chicago creator of word jazz, with a 'voice that could give you the chills'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Fearless Frank (1967) at IMDb
  20. ^ Borrelli, Christopher (October 19, 2012). "'Word Jazz' pioneer Ken Nordine gets closer look". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  21. ^ Smith, Ken (1999). Mental Hygiene: Classroom Films 1945-1970. New York: Blast Books. p. 137. ISBN 0-922233-21-7.
  22. ^ "Ken Nordine's "My Baby"". tuxjunction.net. Archived from the original (MP3) on April 23, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  23. ^ "Will Ken Nordine Ever Grow Up?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  24. ^ "RIP Maurice Sendak". DJFood.com. 8 May 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  25. ^ "Sesame Street was brought to you today". Cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  26. ^ "Revolution" NEWTEK Video Toaster Demo Reel 1991 on YouTube
  27. ^ a b c "From the Crates:Ken Nordine". Treblezine.com. 7 May 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g "Jazz Profiles:Ken Nordine". Jazzprofiles.blogspot.com. 16 April 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  29. ^ "Ken Nordine:Word Jazz: A Transparent Mask". Jazz Times. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Marciniak, Vwadek P., Politics, Humor and the Counterculture: Laughter in the Age of Decay (New York etc., 2008).
  • Stephenson, Gregory, Speaking Volumes: Ken Nordine's Word Jazz. (Heidelberg: Ober Limbo Verlag, 2019.)
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ken_Nordine&oldid=1244888119"