Kate Kortum is a 24-year-old breakout jazz vocalist from Houston, Texas, whose warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theatre with captivating, story-driven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy.

 

Kortum discovered her passion for music at Houston’s legendary High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied flute and saxophone before ultimately falling in love with singing. She went on to earn a degree in jazz voice from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, studying with some of the leading voices in modern jazz.

 

 

Her debut album, Good Woman (Bandstand Presents, 2023), reimagines jazz standards originally written by men, reclaiming them through bold arrangements and a distinctly female perspective. The album struck a chord with listeners, surpassing one million streams in its first month and now boasting over 3.5 million streams. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize the tradition with authenticity and daring:

 

"It's incredibly rare to hear an artist who has such a distinct sound with total command, demanding the attention of audiences and artists alike"
- Christian Wiggs, Bandstand Presents

 

"Kortum’s music has an old soul but a young heart. She takes big liberties on every swinging little number and those interpretative skills make her familiar music sound fresh.”
- Matty Bannond, Jazz Journal UK

 

 

In just a few years, Kortum has performed on some of the most iconic stages in jazz, including the Newport Jazz Festival, SXSW, Birdland, Blue Note, Mezzrow, Dizzy’s Club, and Jazz at Lincoln Center with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Her collaborations include working with Cyrille Aimée, Bryan Carter, Peter Bernstein, Emmet Cohen, and Wynton Marsalis. A recipient of multiple DownBeat Magazine and National YoungArts awards, she continues to solidify her place as one of the most exciting young voices in jazz.

 

Kortum’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Wild Woman (Bandstand Presents, 2025), further showcases her daring musicality and singular voice in the contemporary jazz landscape. As a sequel to her first project, the album is an expansion on the themes of taking back music written by men about the female perspective. It explores what Kortum has been passionate about in the two years between the records - songs about obsession, promiscuity, self-pride, and hatred. Feelings women are often told to shy away from. Kortum pushes the boundaries of traditional vocal jazz through this recording.

 

Alongside her solo career, Kate Kortum is a member of The Sunhouse Singers, a New York-based vocal trio that has been turning heads since their move to NYC in 2023. Alongside vocalists June Cavlan and Joie Bianco, the trio draws inspiration from Jon Hendricks, The Andrews Sisters, Gene Puerling, and Cécile McLorin Salvant. Together, they have been featured with artists such as Bryan Carter, Charlie Rosen, Emmet Cohen, and Benny Benack III, and have performed at Birdland, Mezzrow, The Django, The Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club. With a debut album slated for 2025, The Sunhouse Singers are poised to become a vibrant new force in the New York jazz scene.

 

With her combination of virtuosity, interpretative depth, and a forward-thinking approach to the jazz tradition, Kate Kortum is redefining what it means to be a modern jazz vocalist.

 

“An exceptional talent… she approaches the music with curiosity and fearlessness, but also with the seriousness needed to perform at the highest levels. And, when you hear her sing — look out. She’s able to tell a story through her music, and it makes everyone around her want to stop and listen.”

- Donald Vega