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Katherine Farnham

Katherine Farnham is a Grammy U Mentor, Billboard-charting, 17-Time Global Music Award winning and internationally acclaimed jazz and roots singer/songwriter/pianist and spoken word artist. She is at the forefront of the singer/songwriter movement and is known for bringing fresh, contemporary twists to vocal standards as well as releasing tracks that merge classic and contemporary influences. The winner of thirty-three awards and nine nominations, her single "Necessary Groove" debuted in Billboard's Top 40 Pop Charts as a crossover hit. A prolific and versatile artist, she has been compared to Diana Krall, as well as legendary vocalists Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Sarah Vaughan and others.

The third generation musician has been hailed as "one of the top artists of our time" by Latin Grammy consultant, renowned music journalist and radio host Toninho Spessoto. Katherine was born into an artistic family and began composing at age four. She gave her first performance at five as leading actress in a school play and sang her first jazz vocal solo a few months later. She is classically trained in both piano and voice. Her vocal range spans four octaves. She writes most of her own songs and also records her own versions of famous classics. She sings songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Latin.

She has recorded with many renowned musicians including Grammy winner and legendary saxophonist Kirk Whalum, Latin Grammy winning flutist Nestor Torres, Blues Hall of Fame and Grammy Winning trumpeter Darrell Leonard, Grammy Nominated guitarist Denny Jiosa, Grammy nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair and award-winning Brazilian singer/songwriter/pianist Guinga among others. Her engaging style combines elements of jazz, Latin jazz, adult contemporary, blues/roots, and fusion. In recognition of her considerable contributions to the genre, her groundbreaking, self-produced CD "VINTAGE" was added to the prestigious jazz archives at the Mediatheque Musicale de Paris, France.

Katherine and her longtime band have recorded and performed throughout the world. The winner of a Las Vegas F.A.M.E. Award for "Best Jazz Performer", she has performed for celebrities, done standing ovation performances for the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and at the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards, sung live on NBC 6 and Telemundo, on the Los Angeles and Las Vegas strips, on stages with Latin jazz greats Celia Cruz and Tito Puente Jr., and to a sold out crowd at the Hub City Jazz Festival in New Jersey. She has even inspired audiences at major sporting events, singing the National Anthem multiple times for World Series Champions The Florida Marlins, and performing for The Ericsson Open (only female artist), The Miami Marathon and national tour dates for NASCAR.

The Los Angeles Music Awards voted her the “Best Female Singer/Songwriter” in their entire twenty-five year history. All Music Guide says, “Her lyrics are heavy and meaningful, but her vocalizing is soaring.” AXS says, "...a singer with many sides, all worth getting to know...an open, fearless artist. Two-Time Emmy Nominee and Celebrity Radio Host Phillip Silverstone raved, “absolutely brilliant. Farnham is doing for jazz what Clapton did for the blues – bringing it to the mainstream.”

Katherine's new 2022 albums include "LOVE PHILOSOPHY" featuring a mix of jazz, Latin jazz and adult contemporary and her long-awaited Latin jazz project "ALQUIMIA". She serenades listeners with beautiful originals and standards in English, Spanish and Portuguese, proving she is an artist with an incredible heritage, an exciting present and a future as bright as the stars. Just as importantly, she is an artist with a message relevant for our times.

In the last few years, Katherine has won over a staggering seventeen music awards, including being one of the youngest recipients of the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. (Other recipients include Colin Powell, Wonder Woman Entertainer Lynda Carter and actress Dee Wallace.) “LOVE PHILOSOPHY” won a total of eight Global Music Awards - one for the whole album and others for seven singles. She has earned Global Music Awards for "Jazz/ Emerging Artist" and "Jazz/Blues Song" as well as Los Angeles Music Award Nominations for “Best Jazz Artist” and "Americana: Blues & Roots Artist". She won a Las Vegas Counter Culture Award for "Best Jazz Performer". HG Radio in Mexico also nominated her for her Spanish language singing with “Cantante Feminine del Ano".

 With a pianistic legacy dating directly back over a century to legendary artists, it is no surprise that Farnham eventually made the piano a central focus on “LOVE PHILOSOPHY”. Assembling a multiple Grammy-winning production team, she recorded on not one, but three world-class Steinway grand pianos. Combining originals with well-loved jazz, blues and theater standards like “Besame Mucho (feat Denny Jiosa)”, Billie Holiday’s “Good Morning Heartache”, and “People, A Tribute to Barbra Streisand (feat Mindi Abair)”, Farnham has created a world-class work. This album speaks lyrically of spiritual love with the title track and singles “Dreams (feat Denny Jiosa)” and also true romantic love with “Night of Romance”, a honest, heartfelt ballad complete with string section for which she won a Global Music Award as a songwriter.

Trained by both her musician parents as well as classical and jazz legends, Kat began her performing career as an actor at age five and sang her first jazz vocal solo a few months later. Her "VINTAGE" CD earned rave reviews, interview requests and airplay in US, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa and standing ovation and sold out live performances. She has appeared on Good Morning America and many other television shows.

The winner of the Rotary Outstanding Service Award, Katherine is also a published writer, passionate educator and humanitarian. She has been a Guest Lecturer/Performer for the National Federation of Music Clubs, The Rotary Club and other national organizations and is available for Clinics and Master Classes and is a Guest Lecturer/Performer for major charitable organizations.

Awards

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS (PARTIAL LIST)

A. Global Music Awards:

7 x Winner – “Female Vocalist” (English/Spanish/Portuguese)

“Jazz/Adult Contemporary”

“Jazz/Blues Song”

“Emerging Artist”

“Album”

“Songwriter/Song”

and others.

B. Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award - Winner

C. Los Angeles Music Awards:

“Best of LAMA, 25 Years - Female Singer/Songwriter” - Winner

“Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year” - Winner

“Best Jazz Artist” – Nominee

“Americana: Blues & Roots Artist” – Nominee

“Solo Performer” - Nominee

“Hot AC Single” - Nominee

Compilation CD Artist Winner

D. Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards:

Special Achievement – Singer/Songwriter - Winner

E. Las Vegas F.A.M.E. Awards:

“Outstanding Jazz Performer” Winner

F. Las Vegas Counter-Culture Awards for Community Service:

“Best Spoken Word Album” - Winner

G. HG Radio Awards, Mexico:

“Cantante Femenina del Año” (Spanish) - Nominee

H. Rotary Outstanding Service Award – Winner

and many others.

Gear

Steinway Grand Pianos, Kurzweil PC88 Stage Piano, Hammond Organ

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Katherine Farnham Appears on European Compilation CD

Source: All About Jazz
March 11, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA - Recording Artist and Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Katherine Farnham appears on the AIM 2009 Compilation CD with her hot new jazz/pop track Chemistry. Katherine was chosen out of over four thousand artists for one of 15 CD slots. The compilation was created for the Amsterdam Innovation Motor Convention, a foundation that supports innovative companies in the Netherlands. The CD was compiled by Amsterdam-based Tribe of Noise. Katherine is a gifted and dynamic artist whose style has been described as ...
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Video / DVD

Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Katherine Farnham to Appear on National DVD

Source: All About Jazz
January 2, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Recording Artist and singer/songwriter/pianist Katherine Farnham will be appearing on the upcoming DVD “Inside the Music Business: Strategies for Success". The DVD project, created by Inside the Music Business founder Eric Kline, will feature showcase performances by Farnham and 7 other artists as well as panels by music industry veterans. The panels include Co-Host Adam Gaynor of the band Matchbox 20, as well as music industry attorneys, promoters, and publishing experts. The DVD is due to be ...
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NOTABLE FOLKS, NOTABLE QUOTES:

"...one of the top artists of our time." —Latin Grammy Consultant, Renowned Journalist & Radio Host Toninho Spessoto, Sao Paulo

“I really enjoyed My Shoes Are Leaking! What a cool title, what a lovely voice. I'm honored to be recording with you..." —Grammy-Winning, Legendary Saxophonist Kirk Whalum

"...amazing project." —Latin Grammy Winner Nestor Torres

"...loved every second!" —Grammy Nominee Mindi Abair

"You sound fantastic Kat! It was a joy to work with you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it. All the best with your new project." —Four-Time Grammy Nominee Denny Jiosa

"...absolutely brilliant. Kool Kat is doing for jazz what Clapton did for the blues - bringing it to the mainstream." —Two-Time Emmy Nominee Phillip Silverstone, Celebrity Radio Host, Philadelphia

NOTABLE FOLKS, NOTABLE QUOTES:

"...one of the top artists of our time." —Latin Grammy Consultant, Renowned Journalist & Radio Host Toninho Spessoto, Sao Paulo

“I really enjoyed My Shoes Are Leaking! What a cool title, what a lovely voice. I'm honored to be recording with you..." —Grammy-Winning, Legendary Saxophonist Kirk Whalum

"...amazing project." —Latin Grammy Winner Nestor Torres

"...loved every second!" —Grammy Nominee Mindi Abair

"You sound fantastic Kat! It was a joy to work with you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it. All the best with your new project." —Four-Time Grammy Nominee Denny Jiosa

"...absolutely brilliant. Kool Kat is doing for jazz what Clapton did for the blues - bringing it to the mainstream." —Two-Time Emmy Nominee Phillip Silverstone, Celebrity Radio Host, Philadelphia

"This amazingly talented and diverse artist crosses musical styles from the genres of jazz and adult contemporary to form a sound that makes her competitive in the mainstream commercial marketplace. Her unique voice and vocal arrangements made her a crowd favorite at both of our showcase events."
—Los Angeles Music Awards (Best Jazz Artist Nominee; Americana: Blues & Roots Artist Nominee; Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year Winner; Best Female Singer/Songwriter in 25 Yrs Winner)

"...powerful vocals, multi-talented woman. Consistently, Katherine Farnham's band is plush with excellence and energy." —Musical Memoirs Jazz

"Katherine Farnham goes from mere whisper to powerful belt in jazz expression."
—Hub City Jazz Festival, NJ

"...beautiful...very talented...sounds like Barbra Streisand." —Gary L., Producer

"Wow! Someone who can really sing. Great song too [My Shoes Are Leaking, Veterans Tribute}" —John M. Grammy-Nominated Engineer, Nashville

"Farnham adds some backbeat to a clever read of a standard on "My Funny Valentine" and her voice is rich and strongly confident." —Jazz Weekly

"The moment I heard the voice of Katherine, strong, pure, sultry, soulful she is a delight to listen to - time and again." —The Jazzman, Jazzology Radio, Keith G., Atlanta

"This album has attitude like you wouldn't believe. Mind you, I mean positive attitude. It moves you, grooves you, entices you, and convinces you that this is one artist who solidly and easily distinguishes herself from the run-of-the-mill vocalists and musicians...Farnham takes us on a dazzling and delightful musical journey to a land of cool, sexy and suave. I fell immediately in love with the material from the very moment my ears and soul took notice."
—The Smooth Jazz Ride

"Katherine is a rising vocalist and songwriter erasing boundaries on music genres. Highlights include..."Necessary Groove". "My Funny Valentine"...will introduce the genre to a much larger audience." —O's Place Jazz Newsletter

"She truly has a 'smash' on her hands. Katherine exudes an authentic musical heart, with a style all her own. Her rendition of “People” is told directly from her soul, you can really sense that the lyrics mean something to her heart for the growth of people all over the world. She is a favorite in our jazz community..." —Jaijai J., The Jazz Network Worldwide/Not Just Jazz

"Your song was well received and the lyrics truly capture a positive, uplifting feeling. Your contributions as a Mosaic Partner are greatly appreciated." —Mayor, Miami, FL

“I am pleased to learn that you are working to unite the community through music with The Mosaic Project…sounds like a perfect example of how the arts can pave the way to reach a variety of groups and influence them to unify in spirit and deed…I applaud you and The Mosaic Project in the efforts to unify all through a cultural endeavor. I wish you the best of luck…” –Neil C., National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences

"...an extremely exceptional musician...excellent rapport with her colleagues and students." —Kahlid W., Multiple Grammy-Nominated Jazz Producer/Songwriter (Boney James, Al Jarreau), Los Angeles

"A fusion of Holiday, Vaughan and Dion, the Kat delivers a Kool stream of magical vocals." —T. Capone, Canada, Fan

“Her sultry voice reminds me of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Great album...”—Lifestilled, Top Reviewer, 5 star Amazon Review, Chicago, Fan (Vintage LP)

"...one of the most bad-ass vocalists you will hear." —Chris D., Two for the Show Media, Esteemed Music/Jazz Publicist, New York

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA & PRESS (ENGLISH, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH):

"Her lyrics are heavy and meaningful, but her vocalizing is soaring." —All Music Guide

"Almost like she's plugging into Miles 1970s vibe...she takes you on the wild ride...Kool Kat is making records for tomorrow and has her finger on a pulse that's just starting to beat. Certainly the new street sound for nu cool cats." —Midwest Record

"She answers to Kool Kat. Pianist and vocalist Katherine Farnham breaks out the cool, the groove, the funky and the ethereal with Vintage (2016). Solo piano introduces “Mermaid” with a few bars that flow like ocean waves. Torres’ flute is the perfect complement to Farnharm’s haunting melody. After a brief solo by Torres, the two voices merge for some of the most beautiful sounds on the album." —Woody W., The Jazz Writer

"Singer's Goal: Ethnic Harmony. The message was loud and clear Thursday night: We can be as one if we try. As Farnham and her band began to play Easy, the crowd listened closely. Even Raimundez, a self- dubbed pessimist had second thoughts. 'It could be a nice thing to work towards,' he said." —The Miami Herald

"A Nova Voz Da America. Farnham e uma nova cantora e compositora de talento, que tem tudo para se firmar na cena pop/The New Voice of America. She has all the requirements to be one of the top names..." — MIDEM Review, Shopping Music Magazine, Sao Paulo, Brazil

"Her blend of pop, R&B and jazz make for a very smooth-sounding and enjoyable experience. The CD left me wanting to hear more." —The Sun Sentinel, Ft Lauderdale

"...una bella musica!" [beautiful music] —LIBRE, Miami

"...amazing vocal and songwriting abilities. Farnham is young, driven and destined for success." —Entertainment News & Views, So Beach

“…a complete & gifted talent. Her listeners gazed in silenced admiration & perhaps awe.” –Performer Magazine, Live Review, Boston

and many others. For more reviews, visit www.KatherineFarnham.com/Press or www.KatherineFarnham.com/EPK

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

150+ Year Artistic & Pedagogical Legacy. Experienced Piano/Voice Teacher and Adjunct Jazz & Music Theater Voice Faculty Member; Guest Lecturer/Performer for the National Federation of Music Clubs and others.

Tommy LiPuma Ctr for the Arts/Tri-State C College, Cleveland, OH, Adjunct Jazz Voice Faculty - invited to help build Jazz Vocal Program and utilize original ebook with students.

Celebrity Voice Adjudicator: Los Angeles Music Center's Annual Spotlight Awards (Non-Classical Voice Category), ARTS Recognition & Talent Search (Popular Voice Category), National Federation of Music Clubs Festival Judge (Piano Solo Category)

Students won competitions and awards. Private Lessons, Clinics, Lectures, Master Classes.