Linda Kosut

Backstage Magazine’s Bistro/BMI award winner, Linda Kosut, with an easy listening voice that’s been dubbed a “warm dark sound”, and a “throaty alto”, swings jazz, pop and folk, and easily sings a repertoire from the standard to the obscure with fresh interpretations. Linda has performed across the country from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Seattle.

Kosut grew up in the Bronx (NY), and as she tells it, had a lifelong dream of singing and performing - yet she did not make that into reality until “later in life.” But, since making that shift in her life, and “putting one foot in front of the other, I have created opportunities and achieved a success with my music that I did not think was possible.” Her first two CDs received national acclaim. “Life is but a dream”, a selection of jazz, pop and folk tunes was named one of the Top 10 CDs of 2003 by Cabaret Hotline; and, “Long As You're Living: the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr.”, paid tribute to the late jazz singer, songwriter, and activist, and received both Backstage Magazine’s prestigious Bistro Award – the BMI Award for Outstanding Recording, and two MAC nominations (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) for Best Female Jazz Singer and Best Jazz Recording.

AND ON OCTOBER 15, 2014 AT FEINSTEIN'S AT THE NIKKO, SAN FRANCISCO, HER LATEST ENDEAVOR, “EASY COME, EASY GO” IS BEING RELEASED. This CD pays tribute to composer, arranger, musical director Johnny Green, whose tune “Body And Soul” remains number one on the Jazz Standards charts, 84 years after it was first recorded.

A mainstay in the San Francisco Bay Area music community, Linda is also a singers’ coach, providing innovative ways to coach vocalists, either in performance technique, learning how to record, or providing showcase opportunities for aspiring performers. First and foremost, Linda is committed to inspiring and encouraging 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 – you’ll just have to ask her in person!

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"

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“Kosut does more than justice to the material and enhances it with her effervescence and charm.” - Steve Murray, Cabaret Scenes Magazine

“She delivered her material with reassured delight in a throaty alto voice - showing the versatility of the very talented Johnny Green's melodies.” - Richard Connema, Talkin’ Broadway

“[A]mazing Bay Area canary — brings her skills as an actress to her insightful interpretations of songs underscored with a fusion of jazz, pop and folk.” - Don Heckman, The 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 ..

Primary Instrument

Vocalist

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.