Hetty Kate

Hetty Kate

Musicians | Instrument: Vocals | Location: Paris

...a charismatic and technically gifted vocalist whose gorgeous timbre carries echoes of Peggy Lee, June Christy and Julie London.

—Chris May, All About Jazz

Updated: June 17, 2023

Born: June 16

"Charismatic and technically gifted" (All About Jazz, USA) jazz vocalist Hetty Kate has "a stage presence only matched by the clarity of her voice.." (James Morrison, AU). Raised in both England and Australia, and now living in France, Hetty has released nine albums and graced stages large and small from New Zealand to New York.

"Hetty's truly one of the best swing-style vocalists (I’m talking 1940, Benny Goodman style 4/4 swing) on the current scene..” Will Friedwald : Jazz Critic & Author (USA)

A genuine entertainer, Hetty really swings; and her natural musicality, pitch and vocal purity ensure her voice is instantly recognisable. Furthermore Hetty is often lauded by both musicians and audiences for what she ‘doesn’t do’ as a jazz singer. Originally trained in classical voice, Hetty’s approach honours the composer by keeping true to the melody and lyric, and uses improvisation in a way which never detracts from the story of the song.

It is this rare quality that draws invitations to work with renowned labels and artists in Australia and Europe, including a long standing working relationship with jazz luminary James Morrison (AU), performances with classical pianist Simon Tedeschi (AU), the Amazing Keystone Big Band (FR) as well as ABC Jazz / Universal Music.

"Hetty has an approach to the songs that feels just right. She sings with an easy confidence that is infectious." Joseph Lang : Jersey Jazz Magazine (USA) Hetty has featured at premier jazz festivals internationally, including the New York Winter Jazz Festival (USA), Sapporo International Jazz Festival (Japan), Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Piacenza Jazz Festival (Italy), Jazz en Touraine (France), Sancy Jazz Festival (France), Prague Proms (Czech Republic) and the New Zealand Int. Jazz Festival; and is a frequent guest of festivals around Australia.

Many career highlights include touring with James Morrison’s bands for over four years. During this time, Hetty was the featured soloist in his symphonic concert ‘The A to Z of Jazz’ with the Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmanian and Western Australian Symphony Orchestras as well as Christchurch, Auckland and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra at the Prague Proms in 2016. The concerts yielded a live recording, ‘A to Z of Jazz’ : James Morrison, Ben Northey, Hetty Kate and the MSO (ABC Jazz) which won a coveted ‘Bell Award’ in the Australian National Jazz Awards in 2015.

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Album Review

Hetty Kate: Kissing Bug

Read "Kissing Bug" reviewed by Edward Blanco


British-born, Australian-based vocalist Hetty Kate leads three bands in Melbourne, recording several albums of western swing and lounge-style music. Kissing Bug is her first foray into jazz, showcasing standards from some of her favorite composers, like Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Johnny Richards and Billy Strayhorn. With only five tracks, the effort qualifies as an EP, serving as a preview and, as the press clippings state “a taste of more to come," intimating that this may well be a warmup to ...

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Recording

Hetty Kate New EP Release "Kissing Bug"

Hetty Kate New EP Release "Kissing Bug"

Source: Michael Ricci

Australian/English Jazz Vocalist, Hetty Kate has released her gorgeous new five track EP—available for download on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon. Recorded on a snowy winter afternoon in December 2009 and released this Summer, “Kissing Bug" showcases five romantic songs from The Great American Songbook. Featuring the songwriting talents of Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Johnny Richards and more, and the musical interpretations from New York Jazz Musicians, Art Hirahara (piano), Tal Ronen (bass) and Dan Aran (drums). A limited run of ...

144

Recording

Hetty Kate & Sam Lemann "A Late Brunch on Irwell Street"

Hetty Kate & Sam Lemann "A Late Brunch on Irwell Street"

Source: All About Jazz

Four stringed instruments, four jazz musicians, two rainy nights, ten songs from The Great American Songbook and an underground studio in North Melbourne, Australia.. and you have this sweetly swinging album, all sunshine and smiles.

The lineup: Hetty Kate (vocals), Sam Lemann (lead guitar), Andy Baylor (rhythm guitar), Leigh Barker (double bass) have chosen a varied selection of songs, all worthy - yet unpredictable - for their debut album.

“Hetty's got a lovely relaxed way of singing that puts listeners ...

"...a charismatic and technically gifted vocalist whose gorgeous timbre carries echoes of Peggy Lee, June Christy and Julie London...."- Chris May, All About Jazz (Sep 22, 2011)

“…Hetty Kate’s voice overflows with a natural musicality. Hetty can do no wrong, whether she is singing a familiar standard, infused with relaxed charm and style, or trying her hand at something new and filled with innocent bravado…” Richard Fields 3CR Radio Melb AU (www.3cr.org.au)

“…there is never a single note of irony in any of Hetty’s effortless interpretations of these old-time, all-time classic songs

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All About Jazz user Hetty Kate All About Jazz user Sal La Rocca

Music

Comes Love

From: Comes Love
By Hetty Kate

Kissing Bug

From: Kissing Bug
By Hetty Kate