“A charismatic and technically gifted vocalist whose gorgeous timbre carries echoes of Peggy Lee, June Christy and Julie London” Chris May – All About Jazz (USA) 2011

Born in England and raised in Australia, Hetty Kate is a jazz vocalist with an entertaining style, distinctive voice, pure tone and an interest in straight-ahead jazz and vintage music. Often compared to a young Peggy Lee or Doris Day and present day chanteuses such as Stacey Kent and Silje Nergaard her phrasing and sweet swinging style has allowed her to perform in many interesting countries around the world. In the last six years she has appeared on eight albums, four of which are with her own bands – and is often called upon to be a session singer for television and radio.

Beginning her musical education in England at a young age with classical piano and violin lessons (and having a brief romance with alto saxophone as a teenager) she began to sing in her early 20s and studied the Bel Canto classical method in Melbourne. As music gathered her in it’s embrace, she became interested in more contemporary styled vocals, and took classes with vocal coach Susie Ahern (John Farnham/Kylie Minogue/Renee Geyer) and acclaimed Melbourne Jazz pianists Steve and Bob Sedergreen, leading to her performing debut in 2007. Since her debut, Hetty has become a staple of the Melbourne vocal jazz scene – performing with her own bands and as a guest of Gianni Marinucci (Swing Train / Nonet) and Steve Sedergreen. She also regularly performs as a front-woman for big bands in Melbourne, and also when in Hong Kong for ‘The Stray Katz’ Big Band.

Music has brought Hetty home in many ways to other areas of entertainment and hosting, with her revisiting work she pursued in her teens, as a model and actor. Upon her return to Melbourne at the end of 2011 Hetty was crowned one of the two Faces of Caulfield in 2012. This ambassadorial role for the BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival is active until mid-year 2013, and Hetty has very much enjoyed being part of the Spring Racing Carnival for Caulfield and the Melbourne Racing Club.

However bringing it back to jazz with more recording on the horizon, and shows in Melbourne and internationally, 2013 is set to be a big year for Hetty. And as jazz devotee and popular British Radio host Brian Harvey said “Hetty has a masterful way with lyrics, bringing them to vibrant and exciting life as if each were an expression of her own private thoughts.. we’ll hear a lot more of Hetty Kate in the future.”