Live at Birdland Theater in New York: Kate Kortum

KATE KORTUM is a 24-year-old breakout jazz vocalist from Houston, Texas, whose warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theatre with captivating, story-driven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Kortum discovered her passion for music at Houston's legendary High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied flute and saxophone before ultimately falling in love with singing. She went on to earn a degree in jazz voice from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and a master's degree from the Juilliard School, studying with some of the leading voices in modern jazz. Her debut album, Good Woman (Bandstand Presents, 2023), reimagines jazz standards originally written by men, reclaiming them through bold arrangements and a distinctly female perspective. The album struck a chord with listeners, surpassing one million streams in its first month and now boasting over 3.5 million streams. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize the tradition with authenticity and daring: "It's incredibly rare to hear an artist who has such a distinct sound with total command, demanding the attention of audiences and artists alike" --- Christian Wiggs, Bandstand Presents "Kortum's music has an old soul but a young heart. She takes big liberties on every swinging little number and those interpretative skills make her familiar music sound fresh." --- Matty Bannond, Jazz Journal UK