Shortly after obtaining her BM in Jazz/Commercial Voice in 1999, Kat began writing and arranging music for her 2001 debut CD , It Could Happen, which features the talents of ECM recording artist Anat Fort, alongside percussionist Greg Beyer, and bassist Mike Epperhart. After spending six years honing her skills in the NYC jazz scene Kat was accepted into the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL where she earned her Master's degree in Jazz Pedagogy. During her time in Miami, she became known for her range and ability to blend with a variety of jazz musicians, and worked with such noted artists as John Secada, Raul Midon, Chuck Bergeon, Ray Sanchez, and Johnny Rodgers.
She has played at several nationally-renowned venues and festivals across the nation including Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke NYC, The Cornelia Street Café, Googies above the Living Room, The Bitter End, NYC, the Speakeasy, Wisconsin, Miami Jazz Festival, Hot Jazz for Cool Nights Festival, MN, and The New Leaf Café, NYC. Kat has worked with renowned artists, Kate McGarry, Anat Fort, Sam Minaie, Anne Philips, Jackie Presti, Jane Monheit, Travis Sullivan, Carlo De Rosa, David Cook and Sean Nowell.
Artists he's recorded with include Peter Epstein, Ralph Alessi, Ravi Coltrane, Tigran Hamasyan, Peter Apfelbaum, John Ellis, David Ake, Mark Ferber, Gary Versace, Joe LaBarbera, Roy McCurdy, Bob Sheppard, Brian Lynch, John Beasley, Tootie Heath, Sara Gazarek, Larry Koonse, Patti Austin, Butch Morris, Vinny Golia, Adam Benjamin, Ben Wendel, Tim Ries, Tim Hagans, Kenny Werner, Vince Mendoza, Patrick Williams, New Century Players Ensemble, Alfred Ladzekpo’s Ewe Ensemble, Lian Ensemble (Persian Classical Music), Bill Holman Orchestra, and the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra.
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The Artists
Kat Calvosa
New York City Jazz Singer-Songwriter Kat Calvosa has established herself as a force in the jazz scene and has been hailed as "one to watch" by critics and fans alike. Her unique yet classic jazz sound and masterful lyrics have helped her build a strong fan-base in New York City and beyond, which has assisted her in the production and release of two independently released albums in 2001 and 2009.
Kat’s voice has been described by fans and fellow jazz musicians as rich, sterling, and filled with joy. Her songwriting has been highlighted as a perfect blend of Jazz, Folk, and Pop, with a sound evoking modern and traditional influences. Aside from her original tunes, her ability to take what are commonly referred to as new standards (popular songs written in the 1960s and 1970s) and translate them into a believable Jazz context is one of her most endearing qualities.
Originally hailing from Wisconsin, Kat began her musical career at Lawrence University where she was a classical voice major under the tutelage of renowned soprano Patrice Michaels-Bedi. During her time there she developed a love of Jazz music and began working with Ken Schaphorst and D. Bayne until her curiosity and drive pushed her to New York City. In the fall of 1996, she began attending the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, studying jazz voice with Peter Eldridge of the New York Voices.
Kat's recently released her self-produced second CD, Chrysalis. Debuting in March of 2009, it contains all original material that bridges the gap between the singer-songwriter and jazz traditions, making for a record that is at once energetic and elegant, with intelligent lyrics and sophisticated harmonies sure to delight both the novice and experienced listener alike.
Perry Smith
Passionately driven to create new music, guitarist Perry Smith combines his love for jazz with broad influlences from rock and folk to create his signature style. Based in New York City, Perry performs and records with the Kathleen Grace Band and is a founding member of the critically acclaimed New West Guitar Group, which performed at Merrimans' Playhouse through ArtsEverywhere this past August. In addition, he has performed and worked under legendary artists such as Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Nancy Wilson, Pat Metheny, Harry Belafonte, and Bobby McFerrin. Perry's extensive performance resume includes notable venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, the World Expo on Japan, Yoshi's Jazz Club in San Franscisco and Hoffest in Berlin, Germany. As a composer, Perry was a finalist in the 2007 International Songwriting Competition and won the 2006 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. His debut album Stars and Cars features eight of his original compositions that appeal to both the mind and the senses. In 2005 he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the FLora L. Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he studied guitar with jazz legend Joe Diorio and composition with renowed bandleader John Clayton. He recently received his MM from New York University and is currently on the road with many up and coming jazz artists.
Sam Minaie
Creative, imaginative, and in-demand bassist, Sam Minaie puts an original and dynamic touch on everything he plays. He has toured extensively throughout several countries around the world and has been recored on dozens of albums with well-known artists.
Iranian-American, Sam was born in Reno, Nevada and started piano lessons at age eight. At age 14, he switched to electric and upright bass and was granted numerous command performances in classical bass performance while beginning to also work professionally in all styles of music around the Reno/Tahoe area. Sam was granted a full scholarship and received a Bachelor of Arts in Classical and Jazz Performance at the University of Nevada, Reno. He then moved to Los Angeles where, under scholarship, he received a Masters of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies at California Institute of the Arts. At CalArts, Sam studied with Charlie Haden and African Ewe master, Alfred Ladzekpo as well as a broad range of other world music masters. While in Los Angeles, Sam quickly made a name for himself as one of the most sought-after bassists on the scene and moved to New York in May of 2009. As well as being a bassist, Sam has produced and mixed several albums, and is active as a session cellist. He has also played tuba in Charlie Haden’s Liberation Orchestra.
Sam is a co-leader and composer for Axis Trio and is currently busy touring around the world with 2004 Thelonious Monk Piano Competition Winner, Tigran Hamasyan.
Ross Pederson
An explosive, dynamic, and compelling voice on the drum set, Ross has quickly emerged as an in-demand drummer in New York City. Ross has shared the stage with such musicians as Kenny Werner, Chris Potter, Lew Soloff, Jean-Michel Pilc, Rufus Reid, John Ellis, Marc Johnson, Patricia Barber, Jon Hendricks, John Ambercrombie, Rich Perry, Wycliffe Gordon, Gilad Hekselman, Ralph LaLama, among many others. He is a current member of former Blood Sweat and Tears trumpeter Lew Soloff's Quartet, a frequent member of the Kenny Werner Trio, and tours with Blue Note recording artist Patricia Barber. Ross received his BM in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, where he spent four years studying with master musician and educator Ed Soph, as well as two years in the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band under the direction of Neil Slater. In 2009 Ross recorded an educational play-along with Jazz legend Kenny Werner, entitiled Trading With the Greats, a Jody Jazz Production. As an educator, Ross has given clinics and master classes at New York University, University of North Texas, McGill University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chadron State College, amnd ICPNA in Lima, Peru. With an involvement in a number of diverse groups Ross can also be heard playing experimental electronic musc, indie rock, and folk - sounding at home in each of them. He is currently working on a project of his own, with elements of jazz, drum-n-bass, R & B and folk.
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