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ASCAP award-winning vocalist Kathy Kosins has won the hearts of critics and fans around the globe with her eclectic musical palette that expands the rich history of jazz.

Born and bred during the Motown era of Detroit, she began singing and arranging background vocals for producer Don Was in the early eighties, which led to her becoming one of the most sought after session singers. As a lead vocalist she recorded for both Carrere (Sony) and Quality Records and later toured with Was/Not Was.

In the early ‘90s, Kosins, a ferocious writer and arranger, fell in love with the freedom of the jazz art form and her writing naturally evolved into a more traditional approach. Stints with the JC Heard and Nelson Riddle Orchestras followed and led to a 1996 release of "All In A Dreams Work" (Schoolkids Records), an impressive debut featuring a first rate collection of nine originals and a cover of the Miles Davis composition” Four.” Reported by over 250 Jazz stations, she reached the top 20 in the Gavin.

Her 2002 release of "Mood Swings" (Chiaroscuro Records) continued to bring her recognition and success at the national level. On her 2006 release of "Vintage," (Mahogany Jazz), she rediscovered little known songbook gems which she placed alongside a few widely known, yet unexpected tunes from outside the jazz tradition, which brought her glowing reviews from journalists.

Always a pioneer, Kosins decided to take a different approach in 2010 by releasing singles quarterly under the new Mahogany Digital label, rather than an entire CD every few years.  The tradition of releasing singles runs deep in jazz music. Singles enable artists the freedom to create and record on a natural timeline that corresponds with fan demand and tour schedules. “If a live audience falls in love with a new song, I can record and release it to radio while the music is fresh and hot. This is something you can’t do if you’re committed in advance to a full album release,” said Kosins.

A past recipient of the Michigan Council for the Arts (Jazz Composer of the Year), Kosins has received grants from Michigan’s ArtServe advocacy group.  Her clinics and workshops teach performance skills alongside business strategies for the independent artist and have been a success at colleges and universities across the USA.

When not touring the USA or Europe, Kathy excels as a painter.  Her abstract acrylics on canvas are influenced by the cubist paintings of the ‘50s. Commissioned paintings are held in private collections and Kosins continues to sell her work at both gallery shows and concert performances.

Kosins has recorded with many well known jazz and R&B artists to include Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland, Peter Bernstein, Larry Koonse, Tamir Hendelman, Robert Hurst, Jeremy Pelt, Jon Ellis, Howard Levy, Don Was, Michael Henderson, Paul Keller and many others.

She has shared the stage and performed with numerous names in the jazz and R&B world. A few notables are: Cyrus Chestnut, Terell Stafford, Randy Brecker, Javon Jackson, Larry Goldings, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany, Bernard Purdie, Greg Hutchinson, Eric Harland, Red Holloway, Grant Green Jr., Reuben Rogers, Reuben Wilson, Aaron Goldberg, Tamir Hendelman, Jesse Davis, Eric Marienthal, Mitch Ryder, Was/Not Was and Michael Henderson.

 

Testimonials:

"Outstanding...." Herb Wong

"...her performance maintains a balance of swing and sensuality... great vintage songs... I wasn't expecting to fall in love..." Will Friedwald, NewYork Sun

"If Jazz had four seasons, Kathy Kosins would be spring." - Inside Connection

"...Kosins has got it going on and you should get on the train. Hot stuff." - Midwest Record Recap

"One of the most alluring voices in Jazz" - Chicago Tribune

"Kathy Kosins is one of the finest singers in the world." Don Was, producer

"... A joy to listen to"- Conde' Nast Publications

"... A swing era torch singer ... Akin to Sarah Vaughn" - SOS Jazz

"Mood Swings is a fine and fun ride without a boring note played" - All About Jazz

"Fab"- Billboard Magazine

"... Cool jazz chanteuse" - Cadence

"A fine record and a real talent" - WDNA, Miami

"She's wonderful" - WBGO, Newark

"Your performance was extraordinary!" - Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson - Mayor - Salt Lake City

"...Solid intonation, unwavering swing and a voice that can conjure both the girl next store and her older wiser sister.." - Chicago Reader

"Kosins' voice is rich, filled with that rare combination of range and resonance" - Sounds of Timeless Jazz

"Kosins is a delightful surprise... reminiscent of Peggy Lee...worthy of Dinah Washington" - Jazz Times

"Kosins possesses a voice that communicates intimacy and focus..." - EJazznews

"Best vocal jazz record from first half of 2002 - Jazz USA

Festivals:

  • North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam, Holland
    Jazz à Vienne Jazz festival, Vienne, France
    The San Javier Jazz Festival, San Javier, Spain
    Ascona Jazz Festival Switzerland 2009
  • Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Lenox, MA
    Rosslyn Jazz Festival, Arlington, VA
  • Wichita State University Jazz Festival, Wichita, KS
    Bay Springs Mississippi Jazz Fest,
  • Jazz in June - Lincoln Nebraska
  • Jazz In June - Norman, OK
  • Salt Lake City Jazz Fest
  • Snowbird Blues & Jazz Fest
  • Neenah Jazz Fest - Neenah, WI
  • Cathedral Park Jazz Fest - Portland, OR
  • Savannah Coastal Jazz Fest
  • Detroit Festival of the Arts
  • Detroit Ford International Jazz Fest
  • Park City Utah Jazz Fest
  • Birmingham Jazz Fest
  • Detroit Tastefest
  • Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Fest
  • Grand Rapids Blues and Jazz Fest
  • Flint Jazz Fest
  • Muskegon Summer Fest
  • Southwick MA. Jazz & Blues Fest
  • The Crescent Jazz Festival - Salt Lake City
  • The Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival
  • Rhythm & Ribs Festival - Kansas City

Performing Arts Series:

  • The Ladies Of Cool and Live By Request Peformances, Cheboygan Opera House, MI
  • South Florida Jazz Concert Series, Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Dogwood Center For The Performing Arts, Fremont, MI
  • Performance with Kevin Mahogany's Kansas City Review, Folly Theater, Kansas City, MS
  • The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
  • Kennedy Center, Washington DC
  • A Musical Tribute In Celebration of the Ladies Of Cool,The Ramsdell Theater, Manistee MI
  • Charleston Jazz Series - Charleston, WV
  • Miami Jazz Party
  • Jazz Arts group of Fargo - Moorhead
  • McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage - Illinois
  • Oakland Community College Performing Arts
  • Calumet Theater Concert Series
  • Ironwood Theater Concert Series
  • Dennos Museum Concert Series
  • Carnegie Concert Series
  • Acorn Theater - Three Oaks, Mi
  • Amazing Things - Framingham, Mass
  • Historic State Theater -Bay City, Mi

Clubs:

  • The Blue Note
  • The Jazz Standard - New York
  • Jazz Bakery
  • Lunaria
  • The Vic - Los Angeles
  • The Metropole
  • Lush Life
  • Andy's - Chicago
  • Nightown-Cleveland
  • The Jazz Kitchen - Indianapolis
  • The Jazz Factory - Louisville
  • The Dakota Jazz Club - Minniapolis
  • Dazzle Jazz Club - Denver
  • The Green Mill - Chicago
  • Steamers Jazz Club - Long Beach, Ca
  • Chans - Rhode Island
  • Kansas City Blue Room

Clinics:

  • Gainful Employment and the Art of Hustling the Gig
  • Lyrically Speaking (Vocal Interpretation on Jazz Standards)
  • Kathy's Kamikaze Comping Clinic (Surviving Skills for the Jobbing Date)