Hetty Kate sings a collection of five of her favourite standards, accompanied by New York Jazz Musicians: Art Hirahara (piano); Tal Ronen (double bass) and Dan Aran (drums). The 'Kissing Bug' EP showcases composers including Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Billy Strayhorn, all revisited and sung from the heart. No overdubs, recorded all in the one room.. the way jazz is meant to be.
Created one snowy afternoon in Brooklyn, NY in December 2009, this is a snapshot into Hetty's larger repertoire and the recording allows each musician to shine.. referencing a sound forged many years ago in the 40's and 50's jazz scene.
ABOUT HETTY KATE:
Pure of tone, sweet sounding and dangerously infectious – Hetty Kate regularly performs with some of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians and as one of this city’s newest recruits to the jazz scene she’s certainly making her presence felt. Audiences who have heard this leggy siren note the influences of classic Peggy Lee and Doris Day and modern day chanteuses such as Silje Neergard and Stacey Kent.
Influenced by a broad range of jazz starting with the raw swinging power of the Golden 20’s and moving through to the Swinging Sixties, Hetty Kate’s pure tone, natural voice and effortless vocals get right to the heart of the lyrical story, and will take you along for the ride. Originally trained in classical piano and voice, Hetty Kate has developed her craft as a singer with not only a look, but a sound and depth that simply puts her in a class of her own.
REVIEWS:
“…Hetty Kate’s voice overflows with a natural musicality. Hetty can do no wrong, whether she is singing a familiar standard, infused with relaxed charm and style, or trying her hand at something new and filled with innocent bravado…” - Richard Fields – 3CR Radio Melbourne
“…there is never a single note of irony in any of Hetty’s effortless interpretations of these old-time, all-time classic songs. This is a CD which can make any tough day sweet again…” - H. William Stine, Turntable For One, Saturdays at 10 PM, WMNR-FM, wmnr.org
“…Hetty is English but based in Australia which is their massive good fortune and Britains loss. She has the most gently seductive “little girl” voice I’ve heard since first encountering the (then!) young Ella and June Christy. And she has a masterful way with lyrics, bringing them to vibrant and exciting life as if each were an expression of her own private thoughts….we’ll hear a lot more of Hetty Kate in the future.” - Brian Harvey – www.radiojazz.co.uk
“…Hetty’s got a lovely relaxed way of singing that puts listeners at ease (rather like the wonderful Susannah McCorkle, now sadly dead). Some singers are so keen to show off their technique that one as a listener gets nervous. Hetty just swings along and takes us for a joyful ride, as Susannah did.. and she made 14 CDs for Concord in the ’90s…” - Steve Robertson “The Swinging Years”, 3RPC in Portland. 2-4 Thurs
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