Vocalist Trudy Kerr

“A combination of artful programming and assured arrangements has made her one of the country’s most polished singers.” The Times

Born in Australia, Trudy moved to the UK in the early 90s to pursue a career in Jazz. She got her big break when Ronnie Scott asked her to perform at his Club and Trudy’s career grew from there. She has performed at many major venues and festivals in the UK as well as engagements in Europe, her homeland Australia and the Far East.

To date Trudy has released ten albums on the Jazzizit Record Label (The Rhythm of Life 2012, Reunion 2010, Like Minds 2009, Deja Vu 2007, Jazz for Juniors 2006, Cloudburst 2005, My Old Flame 2001, Day Dream 2000, Trudy 1998 and Sweet Surprise 1997) and has collaborated both live and in the studio with world class musicians including Mulgrew Miller, Jan Lundgren, Georgie Fame, Bob Dorough, Michael Garrick, Acker Bilk, Jamie Cullum, Geoff Gascoyne (her husband), Tom Cawley, Seb de Krom, Jim Mullen plus many more.

To celebrate her extensive discography reaching double figures, Jazzizit Records released a Trudy Kerr Compilation called Contemplation, consisting of fifteen tracks of some of Kerr’s greatest recorded moments.

On a live performance you’ll hear her deliver a diverse repertoire that could include compositions by Chick Corea, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller, Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim and of course the Great American Songbook standards.

She is fast becoming a prolific lyricist having penned many vocalese (putting words to instrumental solos). Her performance of vocalese has been described by Jazzwise Magazine as “stunning and virtuosic with machine-gun fire delivery of the melodic line.” Trudy’s recent album with Geoff Gascoyne, The Rhythm of Life, was also full of exciting new repertoire penned by the husband and wife team. Jamie Cullum describing the songs as “new standards of today”.

She is also a very successful vocal coach holding teaching posts at Trinity Laban, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Chichester University and London Centre of Contemporary Music where she coaches the up and coming vocal stars of tomorrow in various genres.

Additionally, she has developed a Children’s Show called Jazz for Juniors and has toured schools, festivals and venues around the UK.

Trudy also presented The Jazz Hour weekly on BBC Radio Southern Counties alongside veteran presenter Roger Day.

“Trudy Kerr is outstanding – imaginative but respectful to the original song, with excellent phrasing and diction and a smile in her voice. From smouldering Julie London style Ballads to wild swingers, she handles the constantly changing moods with impressive ease.” The Observer

with Geoff Gascoyne: bass • Tim Lapthorn: piano • Jeremy Shoham: sax • Rick Finlay: drums