Hetty Kate Quintet

Raised in both England and Australia, and now living in France, Hetty has released nine albums and graced stages large and small from New Zealand to New York. A genuine entertainer, Hetty really swings; and her natural musicality, pitch and vocal purity ensure her voice is instantly recognisable. Originally trained in classical voice, Hetty’s approach honours the composer by keeping true to the melody and lyric, and uses improvisation in a way which never detracts from the story of the song.

It is this rare quality that draws invitations to work with renowned labels and artists in Australia and Europe, including a long standing working relationship with jazz luminary James Morrison (AU), performances with classical pianist Simon Tedeschi (AU), the Amazing Keystone Big Band (FR) as well as ABC Jazz / Universal Music.

“Hetty has an approach to the songs that feels just right. She sings with an easy confidence that is infectious.” Joseph Lang: Jersey Jazz Magazine (USA)

Hetty has featured at premier jazz festivals internationally, including the New York Winter Jazz Festival (USA), Sapporo International Jazz Festival (Japan), Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Piacenza Jazz Festival (Italy), Jazz en Touraine (France), Sancy Jazz Festival (France), Prague Proms (Czech Republic) and the New Zealand Int. Jazz Festival; and is a frequent guest of festivals around Australia.

Many career highlights include touring with James Morrison’s bands for over four years. During this time, Hetty was the featured soloist in his symphonic concert ‘The A to Z of Jazz’ with the Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmanian and Western Australian Symphony Orchestras as well as Christchurch, Auckland and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra at the Prague Proms in 2016. The concerts yielded a live recording, ‘A to Z of Jazz’ : James Morrison, Ben Northey, Hetty Kate and the MSO (ABC Jazz) which won a coveted ‘Bell Award’ in the Australian National Jazz Awards in 2015. For her final concert in her 2022 Australian Winter Tour, Hetty will be joined by four of her favourite Melbourne musicians, guitarists James Sherlock and Sam Lemann and bassists Ben Hanlon and Ben Robertson. These musicians have been long time collaborators, mentors and friends from the very beginning of her career in Melbourne, and they always create a special magic when they play together. It’s not common to include two double basses in a jazz quintet and this combination was born from Hetty’s 2019 album release ‘Under Paris Skies’. Not to be missed, this is a rare opportunity to hear and see five celebrated musicians do what they do best.

Expect a warm entertaining evening, with favourites from Hetty’s nine album releases, classics and curios from The Great American Songbook and perhaps a few surprises.

Hetty Kate – Voice
James Sherlock – Guitar
Sam Lemann – Guitar
Ben Hanlon – Double Bass
Ben Robertson – Double Bass