Kate Kortum

“An exceptional talent… she approaches the music with curiosity and fearlessness, but also with the seriousness needed to perform at the highest levels. And, when you hear her sing — look out. She’s able to tell a story through her music, and it makes everyone around her want to stop and listen.” - Donald Vega

Kate Kortum is a 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.

In just a few years, Kortum has performed on some of the most iconic stages in jazz, including the Newport Jazz Festival, SXSW, Birdland, Blue Note, Mezzrow, Dizzy’s Club, and Jazz at Lincoln Center with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Her collaborations include working with Cyrille Aimée, Bryan Carter, Peter Bernstein, Emmet Cohen, and Wynton Marsalis. A recipient of multiple DownBeat Magazine and National YoungArts awards, she continues to solidify her place as one of the most exciting young voices in jazz.

With her combination of virtuosity, interpretative depth, and a forward-thinking approach to the jazz tradition, Kate Kortum is redefining what it means to be a modern jazz vocalist.
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