On Bigger Things Judith-Kate Friedman emerges as a powerful voice in acoustic music. Soaring vocals, eloquently etched story songs, and captivating melodies on eleven originals reveal an artist of uncompromising passion and candor. Backed by an outstanding band including co-producer cellist/composer Jami Sieber (Ferron, Rumors of the Big Wave), guitarist Nina Gerber (Kate Wolf, Mollie O'Brien), and keyboardist Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Laura Love), Judith-Kate moves seamlessly between poignant ballads, groove-driven folk/rock and a touch of gospel.
Judith-Kate Friedman started singing as a girl in Brooklyn, New York, inspired by Vivaldi, Belafonte, Yiddish folk, Broadway, civil rights & labor songs, R&B and doo-wop. A California Arts Council touring artist and six-time recipient of the CAC's artist-in-residence grants, she has headlined concerts in 30 U.S. states, Vancouver, London and Berlin. Four-time winner of "Best Song" honors from the No. Calif. Songwriter's Ass'n, she won an honorable mention from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and has showcased in songwriting finals at the Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, Napa and Columbia Music festivals.
In 1996 she joined Vocolot, the acclaimed six-woman a cappella world music ensemble. The group tours internationally. Their 3rd cd "Behold" won Best World/Folk Song honors and was nominated Best Album of 1998 by the Contemporary A Cappella Society. (vocolot.com)
Along with touring and recording, Judith-Kate is known for her pioneering "Songwriting Works" collaborations with elders and youth. (songwritingworks.org)
Lovers of poetry, improvisation and tradition will find much to love on "Bigger Things," Judith-Kate's follow-up to her acclaimed cd debut, "Count Me In." From musings at a Jewish-Episcopalian wedding ("Crushing the Glass"), to the satiric kitchen tango "Separate But Equal" to gorgeous cello & fiddle duets ("Lullabyes," "Things We Keep).
"These jewels of songs explode with vitality, wonder and generosity of the human spirit....Judith-Kate sings out the lies and truths of our lives without missing a beat."
--Sara Felder, Playwright, Juggling Diva.
"Like a one-woman Indigo Girl or Joan Baez.... Judith-Kate Friedman has that kind of pure, soaring voice and knack for emotional tunes." -- New Orleans Times-Picayune
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