Event
Kat Parra - Latin World Jazz Vocalist
"The tracks pulse with the spontaneous enthusiasm of jazz, a sunny and sensual sound that sets this album above the usual Latin jazz release. Parra's intuition is unerring, and her presence here is commanding, even when she is singing softly." - Chuck Graham, Tucson Citizen, reviewing singer Kat Parra's new CD, Birds in Flight.
On her new CD, San Francisco-based singer Kat Parra sings in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Ladino, the language of the Separdic Jews of Spain. But whatever language she's singing in, her beautiful, clear soulful instrument--her voice--needs no translation.
Kat Parra easily crosses over from Classic Jazz to steamy Latin Jazz without missing a beat. The essence of Kat's musical journey is her ability to combine a lovely variety of international styles to create a unique sound that is all her own. Along with great renditions of classic jazz standards, Kat's focus is on the creation of new sounds, using Spanish Sephardic music, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, South American Folklore, and a little bit of Brazil tossed in for extra flavor! Her music will alternately make you want to dance or sigh with longing.
It was while studying voice at San Jose State under Patti Cathcart (of Tuck & Patti fame), that Kat Parra learned what being a singer was all about.
"That's when I learned there was so much more depth to the voice than just the 'sweet' sounds it could produce," she says. "There are stories to tell, heartaches to share and love to spread. The power of music is a gift that I never want to take for granted."
This fascinating, joyous singer will be joined at Jazz at Pearl's by pianist Murray Low, saxophonist/flutist Melecio Magdaluyo, bassist Peter Barshay and drummer Paul van Wageningen.
Parra tells her own fascinating story with style and grace on her online bio (www.katparra.com):
I have performed all styles of music: R&B, Motown, Blues, Top 40 and jazz. But it is Latin Jazz that calls to my soul more than anything, and the music of the Spanish-speaking countries I most closely associate with. My focus is on Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, South American folklore, Sephardic music of the Spanish Jews and some Brazilian music, with a few standards thrown in for good measure. When all of these styles are combined, an amazing Jazz tapestry is created that is exciting and enthralling to listen to.
I had the fortune of performing for 5 years with a group called Charanga 9. There, I was able to hone my skills as a salsa singer. And not only did I get to perform with a group of wonderful musicians, but I was also given the opportunity to open for some of the top salsa groups of today: Celia Cruz, Los Van Van, Cubanismo, Las Perlas del Son, and Paulito FJ. I have also opened for Charlie Hunter, TJ Kirk and Cold Blood with Lydia Pense and have had incredible opportunities to perform in New York City, Chile, Cuba and all over the San Francisco Bay Area.
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LocationJazz at Pearl's
256 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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