Kate Michaels
Kate Michaels | |
---|---|
adult contemporary | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
Labels | Michaels Media |
Kate Michaels (born Kathleen Rebecca Hall, June 2, 1969) is an American singer and actress specializing in big band/swing and
Biography
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Kate Michaels is from
Michaels grew up in a musical family. Edward Hall had a background as a classical pianist and all of the family sang and played different instruments. Her great-uncle, Hedley Hall, was a colorful
Musical career
Early in her career, Michaels appeared in both leading and supporting roles for many stage, musical and concert productions in the
In 1998, Michaels sang for the UK tour of the Australian-American poetic piece, Walking the Dog, produced by Walking the Dog Theater Company, New York. Soon after her first album, Just Marilyn, was produced. Her second recording, The Best Things in Life, a jazz recording with German jazz trio The Red Thread was released in 2007.
As an educator and consultant Michaels has given workshops and seminars as well as taught for the following institutions and programs:
Musical styles and projects
Michaels has been described as "Enchanting, charming and delightful" (JJ Murry-Leach, Decca Records) and been widely praised for her vocal talent and her emotional and witty interpretations.[citation needed] Focusing on big band songs from the Great American Songbook, Just Marilyn reaches into the big band era and builds on the glamor of Marilyn Monroe. All the songs from Just Marilyn recorded by Michaels were sung at some point by film icon and legend Marilyn Monroe. When asked "Why Marilyn?" Kate said in an interview that there's more to Marilyn than "Happy Birthday, Mr. President", light comedies and the white dress. "She was one of the first women to take control of her own career and beat the studio heads at their own game. Marilyn was not one dimensional but I think that's how she is often viewed, unfortunately."
The concept for her second album, The Best Things in Life, came after hearing a recording of Jo Stafford singing The Best Things in Life are Free. Interested in the work of Jamie Cullum and Stacey Kent, Michaels put together newer jazz versions of standard songs from the Great American Songbook with the German jazz trio, The Red Thread.
Michaels performs as a soloist and with the shows Swinging the Marilyn Monroe Songbook, Big Band Sizzle, Gossip, Glitter & Glam as well as musicals and concerts with The Red Thread and various big bands in France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Spain, Norway, England and New Zealand. Michaels appears as the featured performer for festivals, charity events, and performances which have also featured well-known singers and entertainers such as German folk singer Roberto Blanco.
Discography
- Just Marilyn (2003)
- The Best Things in Life (2007)
References
- ^ "Kate Michaels on Jazz.com's Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.