KATE HART
B.B. King once said, “The blues are simple. Anyone can play them. But would you want to hear anyone play them?” Diva and singer extraordinaire Kate Hart certainly makes it sound simple and natural when she opens her mouth to let the blues flow out, but the results are absolutely something you want to hear. Defiant, exuberant, sassy, celebratory and sensual, Hart ranges from rural to urban, uptown to downtown, on her sumptuous new release, Alone Again with Friends.
Kathleen Hart was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 11, 1951. She soaked up the vibrant, vital music coming out of Motor City in the early 1960s including that of Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder and Motown artists like Gladys Knight while studying with vocal teachers. Likewise, the great women blues, R&B and rock singers of the era such as Maggie Bell, Bonnie Bramlett and Genya Raven also influenced her to just up and audition for the heavy metal band Raw Flesh in 1968. She scored the gig but shortly thereafter ran off to Chicago for siren call of the hardcore blues of everyone from Koko Taylor to Muddy Waters and Denise LaSalle and Irma Thomas. She came back briefly to Detroit in 1972 to record the single “Syncopated Love” for Stag Records.
Always restless and wildly ambitious, Hart headed west, eventually ending up in the Northwest where she would form the acclaimed all-star revue Seattle Women in 1985. By that time her prodigious talents were being acknowledged with an amazing number of awards and in 1990 she released her debut solo album, Tonight I Want It All. In 2000 she released the appropriately-titled Queen of the Night to raves and the rock album Lucy Mongrel featuring her alter ego. Hart returned home to Detroit in 2003 where she quickly established herself as a singing force of nature and also convened the award-winning group Detroit Women. Besides her numerous musical projects, she has also been pursuing acting and writing as well as entrepreneurship with a line of women’s products.
In an age where “great” blues singing is too often equated with sheer volume and histrionics, it is refreshing and encouraging to hear a truly great vocalist at the top of her game, instead of her lungs.
-Dave Rubin
Producer
Kate Hart has produced major festivals and recording projects. Some of her pet projects include producing and performing on her own CD "Queen of the Night", Seattle Women's "Backporch Gossip" and "We Are Not Good Girls" which have all been supported by national tours. Also as Executive Producer and songwriter, has released the critically acclaimed "Lucy Mongrel" for joerecords.com.
Writer
Kate has written short stories, children's books and a novel - "We Are Not Good Girls", penning a screenplay by the same name. She went on to write several plays. Two of them Portraits in Blue and We Are Not Good Girls, enjoyed several successful runs in the past four years. In addition, Kate has written over one hundred songs and seven children's stories she is currently putting to music.
Actress
Over the last ten years Kate has been involved in theater, while studying at Freehold's Studio Lab for Actors, leading her to perform in film and plays.
Awards and Accomplishments
2007 Nominated for 10 Detroit Music Awards.
Winner of the 2004, 2005 & 2006 Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Rhythm and Blues Band, Outstanding Rhythm and Blues Recording and Outstanding Live Performance.
Nominated for a collective 28 Detroit Music Awards - Recipients of 23.
2006 Tour filmed for documentary with Emmy-Award-winning director.
Featured on America's Thanksgiving Parade viewed by 100 million households.
2005 - Detroit Music Awards recipient for Outstanding Blues Songwriter.
2004- Detroit Music Awards recipient for Outstanding Blues Songwriter and nominated for Outstanding Blues Vocalist.
Performed at the Superbowl for the NFL owners and players!
Performed National Anthem on Fan Appreciation Day for the Detroit Tigers.
After only one year after moving back to Detroit, included as one of the influential musical artist in the Metro times 100 year musical genealogy chart.
Featured in national publications such as Living Blues Magazine, Blues Revue Magazine, Blues Wax and Blues Beat.
Featured on one-hour television show with Olympic Figure skating and Christmas tree lighting in Detroit.
Took part in national women's charity event and included in upcoming women's feature film.
Partnered with film company, Streetlamp Studios.
Penned and starred in play, We Are Not Good Girls, which ran in major theatres in Detroit and Seattle.
Featured on Nationally Syndicated Radio shows and receiving airplay all over the world.
Endorsement deal with "Dancing Dingo" all natural beauty products, with a personalized name/flavor lip balm.
Launched "Detroit Women" clothing line along with national merchandising campaign mentored by NGI who also handle Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks.
Added to the Detroit Public Library's catalogue of music.
Artist of the Week - 2003 Detroit News.
Bulldog Award - 2001 Performer of the Year.
1997-2002 - Penned / featured in Blues musical, We Are Not Good Girls.
NAMA Awards - 1992 Recipient for Best Blues Recording.
NAMA Awards - 1992 Recipient for Best Blues Band.
Muddy Awards - 1991 Best Female Blues Singer.
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