Born: March 21, 1946 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Award-winning vocalist Linda Kosut swings jazz, folk and pop, blending songs of these differing genres into unexpected renditions and arrangements. Linda has performed nationally at clubs such as New York’s Iridium Jazz Club, the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, Egan’s in Seattle, and at San Francisco’s Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Savanna Jazz and The Rrazz Room.
A native New Yorker, Linda took up singing as a “hobby” and studied acting, dance and voice. Yet, after her move to San Francisco over 25 years ago, and as she approached “retirement” age, she says, “I had this unfulfilled desire to seriously pursue my lifelong dream of singing and entertaining.” “My approach to music and my song choices have as much to do with the wisdom of age, as it does with the sheer joy I get from performing, entertaining and inspiring others.”
Linda has recorded two CDs. Her most recent, Long As You’re Living, the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr- – a heartfelt tribute to the late jazz great - received BackStage Magazine’s 2008 BISTRO/BMI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RECORDING, as well as nominations for BEST FEMALE JAZZ VOCALIST and BEST JAZZ RECORDING from MAC, Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, and the Cabaret Hotline 2008 MEMBERS’ CHOICE AWARD.
A mainstay in the San Francisco Bay Area music community, through her company, Jizel Music & Design, Linda coaches singers in performance and song interpretation; always looking for innovative ways to support vocalists, she provides opportunities in learning how to record, or producing showcases for aspiring singers, etc.. First and foremost, Linda brings a commitment to inspire and encourage other singers to grow as performers.
Linda lives in San Francisco with her husband, 2 dogs, 2 turtles, 2 chickens and thousands of fresh-water fish!
“amazing Bay Area canary brings her skills as an actress to her insightful interpretations.” Don Heckman, International Review of Music “A singer of great ability – conveys romance combined with an earthy heat!” Maxwell Chandler, Jazz Review
“A new female jazz singer who commands one’s attention ... a vocal performance which deserves mention” Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
“The best of such artists renowned for their superior ability to act, particularly one as gutsy as Kosut” Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times
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ON THE INTERNET Official Website: www.lindakosut.com Electronic Press Kit: www.sonicbids.com/lindakosut Videos: www.youtube.com/jizelmusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/lindakosut Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/lindakosutsings Blog: www.lindakosut.wordpress.com My Space: www.myspace.com/lindakosut2 Jizel Music: www.jizelmusic.com & www.facebook.com/jizelmusic
DISCOGRAPHY JUNE 2007: “Long As You're Living- the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr.” - www.cdbaby.com/kosut2 Piano/trombone: Max Perkoff; Percussion: Paul van Wageningen; Bass: Tom Shader JANUARY 2003: “Life is but a dream” - www.cdbaby.com/kosut Piano: Barry Lloyd, David Austin; Drums: Bob Blankenship; Bass: Dean Reilly
Awards:
2008 - BackStage magazine's BMI/Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording"2008 - Best Female Jazz Vocalist & Best Jazz Recording - Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Awards Nominee
2007 - Top 10 CD Members' Choice Award, Cabaret Hotline Online
2003 - Top Ten Female Vocalist CD, Cabaret Hotline New York for "Life is but a dream"
“It takes as fine an actor as Brown to do proper justice to his songs.So, it seems altogether fitting that a female cabaret performer, particularly one as gutsy as Linda Kosut, should pay album-length tribute to Brown.” - CHRISTOPHER LOUDON, JAZZ TIMES
“[She] is the real thing; multi-talented Kosut knows just when to play it small and quiet and when to let ‘er rip ... A perfect accompaniment to dinner with friends.” - TOM KELLY, SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES
“... a new female jazz singer who commands one’s attention ... a vocal performance which deserves mention.” - SCOTT YANOW, L.A. JAZZ SCENE
“slinky and sly in unraveling the blues.” - JERRY D'SOUZA, ALL ABOUT JAZZ
“a welcome reminder of the multi-faceted work of the man who proudly defied being categorized. Linda doesn't seem to have much interest in being labeled either.” - ROB LESTER, CABARET EXCHANGE
“holds the audience spellbound” - LES TRAUB, CABARET SCENES MAGAZINE
“She is a singer of great ability.” - Maxwell Chandler, JazzReview.com
"Long As You're Living - the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr."
2003
Tracks: A Tree and Me; Mr. Kicks; Hazel's Hips; Summer In The city; A Column of Birds; 'Round Midnight (Brown Jr lyrics) & The Beach; Brother, Where Are You?; Bid 'Em In; The Call of the City; The Snake; Old Lovers' Song; Humdrum Blues; tower of Time; Long As You're Living
Personnel: Max Perkoff, piano & trombone: Paul van Wageningen, percussion; Tom Shader, bass.
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Primary Instrument:
Vocal
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Linda teaches performance technique to vocalists. Working with each student as
an individual on song choices, lyric interpretations, presentation, mic technique,
building a tight set to keep an audience's interest, and how to talk to one's
audience.
