Gesa Power House Theatre presents jazz vocalist Kathy Kosins in concert on Sunday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m.
"One of the most alluring voices in Jazz" - Chicago Tribune
ASCAP award-winning vocalist Kathy Kosins combines the rich vocal traditions of jazz and soul in a one-of-a-kind presentation of music and visual art. Performing a mix of classic and original songs, Kosins brings the audience on a tour of some of the best and most loved hallmarks of the jazz and soul genres. An avid visual artist, Kosins also paints on stage during her performances, creating unique pieces that are improvised and inspired by the music. Whether a jazz aficionado or a beginning artist, everyone will find Kathy Kosins’ unique performance delightful and inspiring.
Born during the Motown era of Detroit, she began singing and arranging background vocals in the early eighties, which led to her becoming one of the most sought after session singers. As a lead vocalist she recorded for both Carrere (Sony) and Quality Records and later toured with Was/Not Was.
In the early ’90s, Kosins, a ferocious writer and arranger, fell in love with the freedom of the jazz art form and her writing naturally evolved into a more traditional approach. Stints with the JC Heard and Nelson Riddle Orchestras followed and led to a 1996 release of “All In A Dreams Work” (SchoolKids Records), an impressive debut featuring a first rate collection of nine originals and a cover of the Miles Davis composition “Four.” Reported by over 250 Jazz stations, she reached the top 20 in the Gavin Report.
Her 2002 release of “Mood Swings” (Chiaroscuro Records) continued to bring her recognition and success at the national level. On her 2006 release of “Vintage,” (Mahogany Jazz), she rediscovered little known songbook gems which she placed alongside a few widely known, yet unexpected tunes from outside the jazz tradition, which brought her glowing reviews from journalists.
In 2012, she released “To The Ladies Of Cool”, a dedication to the West Coast Cool school of artists like June Christy, Chris Connor, Julie London, and Anita O’Day. Kathy’s arrangements of those classic pieces stay true to the tradition of lyricism and understatement, yet sound so fresh and innovative that it is sometimes hard to believe those songs have been recorded some 50 plus years ago.
“The Space Between” from 2013 found her in the studio with some of LA’s best musicians like Tamir Hendelman (piano), Robert Hurst (bass), Eric Harland (drums), and Larry Koonse on guitar on several obscure tracks that had been recorded by Shirley Horn or Nat King Cole. Her Jazz repertoire is always enhanced by her soulful vocal performance and it is no wonder, that she decided to include a Chill Mix of one of the tunes from the album (“Night Bird”).
With the working title “Uncovered Soul”, Kosins has recorded this ultra soulful set with Grammy Award-winning producer Kamau Kenyatta (Gregory Porter) and a stellar cast of musicians: Greg Moore (guitar), Mitch Foreman (piano,keys), Kevin Axt (bass), Eric Harland (drums), and Munyungo (percussion). On the album, she explores rarely heard Soul and R&B tunes by famous songwriters like Curtis Mayfield, Eugene McDaniels, or Aaron Neville and also more contemporary tune-smiths like Amos Lee. It’s a well- balanced set catering to both jazz fans and soul aficionados alike and destined to become a future classic as it creates a sultry mood and features her most intense and intimate singing yet.
A past recipient of the Michigan Council for the Arts (Jazz Composer of the Year), Kosins has received grants from Michigan’s ArtServe advocacy group. Her clinics and workshops teach performance skills alongside business strategies for the independent artist and have been a success at colleges and universities across the USA.
When not touring the USA or Europe, Kosins excels as a painter. Her abstract improvised acrylics on canvas are influenced by the cubist paintings of the ’50s. Commissioned paintings are held in private collections and Kosins continues to sell her work at both gallery shows and concert performances. Kosins will paint on stage during a portion of her Walla Walla concert.
Kosins has shared the stage and performed with numerous names in the jazz and R&B world. A few notables are: Cyrus Chestnut, Terell Stafford, Randy Brecker, Javon Jackson, Larry Goldings, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany, Bernard Purdie, Greg Hutchinson, Eric Harland, Red Holloway, Grant Green Jr., Reuben Rogers, Reuben Wilson, Aaron Goldberg, Tamir Hendelman, Jesse Davis, Eric Marienthal, Matt Wilson, Mitch Ryder, Was/Not Was and Michael Henderson.
Reserved seating tickets ($30-$25 Adults; $20 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. For group ticket sales, please call 509-876-1662.
Kathy Kosins' band for this concert will include Matt Cooper (piano), Michael Simon (bass), and Steven Aslin (drums).
