Take Five With Kathy Sanborn

Meet Kathy Sanborn:

Kathy Sanborn is an American singer, pianist, producer and composer. Based in California, Sanborn has released four albums. Her latest jazz album, Six Degrees of Cool, has recently reached Amazon's MP3 Vocal Jazz Bestseller list. Sanborn's upcoming release, Sultry Night, is set to drop on September 2013.

John Shelton Ivany of the National News Bureau says: "Kathy Sanborn is able to convey emotional truths with a sound no one else can produce; a quavering joy that works equally well over an ocean or acoustic chords of ballads. No one else sings like that."

Instrument(s):

Piano, voice.

Teachers and/or influences?

More and more, I am becoming fascinated by the cool jazz vocalists from the past like Anita O'Day, June Christy, and Chris Connor. Their shadings are amazingly effective.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to sing. My musical evolution has taken me to composing and producing albums—something I never thought I would be able to accomplish.

Your sound and approach to music:

My approach to music has always been to write from my heart. I put everything I have inside me into my work, whether it's singing or songwriting. If a topic touches me, I write about it.

Your dream band:

There are so many artists I would enjoy working with! I had the pleasure of working with Grammy-nominated bassist/producer Scott Petito on Blues for Breakfast; that was a thrill!

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

The most important thing I can contribute musically to the jazz scene of the 21st century is my originality. Because I compose all of my songs, the material is fresh and new for the modern era.

Did you know...

Most people don't know that I produce all of my albums and that I engineer them too. That was a steep learning curve for me, as they say, but fun.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Jazz has morphed into many sub-categories in current times. I believe that is a good thing for the music to grow and to expand. Of course, just as in the days of old, some of the modern work is great and some is not, but that is to be expected.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

To keep jazz growing and changing, I think new compositions are important. That is why I create new material on every album.

What is in the near future?

My upcoming release, Sultry Night, coming in September, 2013, features songs dedicated to jazz legend Anita O'Day and screen star Cary Grant. Can you tell that my two favorite subjects are jazz and old movies?

Photo Credit

Courtesy of Kathy Sanborn

Comments