New York City Jazz Singer-Songwriter Kat Calvosa has established herself as a force jazz scene and draws audiences in with compositions that hail the1960’s songwriting scene. Her unique yet classic jazz sound and masterful lyrics have helped her build a strong fan-base in New York City and beyond, which has assisted her in the production and release of two independently released albums in 2001 and 2009.
Kat’s voice has been described by fans and fellow jazz musicians as rich, sterling, and filled with joy. Her songwriting has been highlighted as a perfect blend of Jazz, Folk, and Pop, with a sound evoking modern and traditional influences. Aside from her original tunes, her ability to take what are commonly referred to as new standards - popular songs written in the 1960s and 1970s - and (translate them into a believable Jazz context is one of her most endearing qualities.
Originally hailing from Wisconsin, Kat began her musical career at Lawrence University where she was a classical voice major under the tutelage of renowned soprano Patrice Michaels-Bedi. During her time there she developed a love of Jazz music and began working with Ken Schaphorst and D. Bayne until her curiosity and drive pushed her to New York City. In the fall of 1996, she began attending the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, studying jazz voice with Peter Eldridge of the New York Voices.
Shortly after obtaining her BM in Jazz/Commercial Voice in 1999, Kat began writing and arranging music for her 2001 debut CD , It Could Happen, which features the talents of ECM recording artist Anat Fort, alongside percussionist Greg Beyer, and bassist Mike Epperhart. After spending six years honing her skills on the NYC jazz scene Kat was accepted into the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL where she earned her Masters’ degree in Jazz Pedagogy. During her time in Miami, became known for her range and ability to blend with a variety of jazz musicians, and worked with such noted artists as John Secada, Raul Midon, Chuck Bergeon, Ray Sanchez, and Johnny Rodgers.
She has played at several nationally-renowned venues and festivals across the nation including Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke NYC, The Cornelia Street Café, Googies above the Living Room, The Bitter End NYC, the Speakeasy Wisconsin, Miami Jazz Festival, Hot Jazz for Cool Nights Festival, MN, and The New Leaf Café, NYC. Kat has worked with renowned artists Kate McGarry, Anat Fort, Sam Minaie, Anne Philips, Jackie Presti, Jane Monheit, Travis Sullivan, Carlo De Rosa, David Cook and Sean Nowell.
Kat's most recent accomplishment is the release of her self-produced second CD, Chrysalis. Debuting in March of 2009, it contains all original material that bridges the gap between the singer-songwriter and jazz traditions, making for a record that is at once energetic and elegant, with intelligent lyrics and sophisticated harmonies sure to delight both the novice and experienced listener alike.