About
Kate has spent most of her life playing piano. As a teenager she became drawn to the worlds of mainstream jazz, and jazz fusion. Listening to such great artists such as McCoy Tyner with John Coltrane, Chick Corea and “Return to Forever”, Herbie Hancock with his groups, and Joe Zawinul with “Weather Report” had a profound influence on her emerging style and sensibilities.
She began studying classical piano at a young age and continued her formal musical education through college, where at Indiana University she received a degree in piano and audio engineering. She also completed a master’s degree in jazz piano performance at the University of Memphis.
Since college, Kate has worked continuously as a commercial player in the pop, rock, R and B, latin, and gospel genres of music. She is an adept synthesizer/keyboard player as well as a pianist. She is also a composer of jazz, new age and indie music. Her fondness for many types of music has made her an extremely versatile and skilled performer. Kate has always been happiest performing live with high energy bands and great musicians.
Although jazz was always her first love, she performed concerts for many years with well-known commercial artists. She retained a notable job as traveling keyboardist with the world famous Four Tops. Others concert credits include Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Ben E. King, Jack Sheldon, Billy Swan, Clint Holmes, Thelma Houston, Michael Crawford, Stephen Van Zandt, and Billy Eckstein. Under the direction of Alan Balter and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra she has performed many concert events with featured artists such as Mercedes Ellington, and Bill Conti. She was the musical director and arranger of the "Tribute to the Rat Pack" show at Goldstrike Casino in Tunica, MS. She occupied the conductor/pianist chair with Little Anthony and the Imperials at Feinstein's in the Lowes Regency Hotel and at Resorts International Casino Hotel. In New York City, she performed as the keyboardist/leader for Tony and Tina’s Wedding at the Edison Ballroom on 46th St and Broadway.
These vibrant concert experiences led her to become enthusiastic and exuberant in her jazz playing as well. She is fully engaged in the mainstream jazz world where Bill Evans, Red Garland, Sonny Clarke, Hank Jones and Barry Harris have been major influences. As a freelance pianist and small band leader she is totally immersed in the vortex of the jazz scene in New York City.She has been selected numerous times in recent years to perform with her group at the International Women in Jazz and Lady Got Chops festivals. Kate currently retains residency at Robert at MAD Restaurant in Manhattan. She frequently plays with her bands at Cellar Dog, Ornithology and Mezzrow to name just a few. She also freelances as an independent and in-demand pianist across the tri-state area. She currently holds the position of adjunct professor in the Cali School of Music at Montclair State University.