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Episode

Kate Kortum - Sensational 24 Year Old Jazz Vocalist. Performed With Wynton Marsalis And Jazz At Lincoln Center. Also Sings With The Sunhouse Singers!

Podcast
Follow Your Dream - Music And Much More!
Published
Apr 10, 2026
Duration seconds
1961
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processed
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Summary

Jazz vocalist Kate Kortum discusses her journey from a non-musical family in Houston to performing at prestigious venues like Birdland and Jazz at Lincoln Center. The conversation explores the formation of the Sunhouse Singers and the art of interpreting jazz standards.

Topics

  • Jazz Vocal
  • Sunhouse Singers
  • Great American Songbook
  • Music Education
  • Jazz Arranging
  • Contemporary Jazz
  • Musical Biography

Highlights

  • Main idea: Kate Kortum blends the Great American Songbook, blues, and musical theater into a contemporary jazz style
  • Practical takeaway: The Sunhouse Singers formed organically through shared living spaces and musical collaboration in Miami
  • Failure mode: Avoiding the distraction of 'extra things' to fully embody the spirit of legendary vocalists like Sarah Vaughan
  • Main idea: Arranging jazz standards requires allowing the music to 'live and breathe' through repeated performances and iterations
  • Practical takeaway: Connecting with the lyrical depth of songwriters like Dave Frishberg can add new meanings to songs as you age

Chapters

  1. 1:00 Introduction to Kate Kortum: Host Robert Miller introduces Houston-based jazz vocalist Kate Kortum and her diverse musical influences.
  2. 4:40 Growing up in Houston: Kate discusses her upbringing in a large, non-musical family and her accidental discovery of music.
  3. 10:10 The Formation of Sunhouse Singers: The story of how Kate, Joey Bianco, and June Kavan formed a trio while living together in Miami.
  4. 14:00 Musical Influences and Repertoire: A showcase of jazz classics by Thelonious Monk and Chick Corea featured on Kate's debut album.
  5. 17:10 Lessons from the Greats: Kate shares insights on embodying the mindset and vocal delivery of legends like Sarah Vaughan.
  6. 22:50 Arranging and Reimagining Standards: A discussion on the evolution of musical arrangements and the emotional depth of the song 'You Are There'.