Introducing Katie Thiroux

Katie ThirouxBassist/Singer/Composer Katie Thiroux released her first CD on February 3, 2015 titled “Introducing Katie Thiroux”.  Before I even listened to this CD, I read the liner notes and knew this CD from Katie Thiroux would be terrific.  Soon after I was able to see Katie in person when she performed with the Larry Fuller Trio and Graham Dechter at “Pete Carlson’s Jazz For Jazz Lovers Series”.  When I first listened to Katie’s CD, I was so focused on her beautiful voice and singing style, I somewhat overlooked her great Bass playing.  However, at the Graham Dechter concert,  Katie’s Bass brilliance was in full view.  Katie told me that she had always loved Ray Brown and that she had spent some time working with John Clayton.  At the concert, she played a couple of great Ray Brown arrangements,  and if you closed your eyes, you might have thought is was Ray Brown or John Clayton playing.  The audience loved her Bass playing and she received many rounds of applause every time she played a solo riff.

Katie Thiroux is a multi-talented musical threat, she sings with great style as good as any of the best Jazz singers around today and her Bass playing would be welcomed in the best Jazz groups.
Katie studied with the great Jazz Vocalist Tierney Sutton.  So she has had guidance from two Jazz giants, Clayton and Sutton.  The results of her years of study are evident in her Bass playing and her singing, she is one of the best around in both categories.  Here is a quote from John Clayton “Katie has developed into a swinging and “Killer” Base player!  Of course, I heard her talent and advanced abilities when she was younger, but her playing now is something else–It’s at another level. I’m talking about the level of playing that allows the groove to feel right, the arrangements well thought out and rehearsed and the performance to be tight”.  Quite a compliant from one of the Best Bass players in Jazz history!

True of all the very best musicians, Katie has put together an impressive group of musicians to join her quartet on her debut CD.  Graham Dechter, a celebrated guitarist was at nineteen the youngest member of the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  In addition, his credits include work with Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, John Pizzarelli, singers Jon Hendrick, Nancy Wilson and Kurt Elling.  Not too bad for someone that is only in his late 20’s, don’t you think?  Saxophonist, Flutist, Composer, Arranger and Music educator, Roger Neumann added a wonderful warmth to Katie’s singing and Bass playing.  Matt Witek a former student of Grammy-winning Drummer, Jeff Hamilton was on Drums, and you can tell he must have been a wonderful student.  His Drum work is excellent, both creative and solid at the same time.

Katie has written three interesting instrumentals for her CD.  “Ray’s Kicks” is  dedicated to Ray Brown.  Katie says she was inspired by a pair of Ray’s stylish shoes that were gifted to her.  “Rosebird” was written on the framework of Earl Hines’s “Rosetta” and Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite”. “Can’t We Just Pretend” is a beautiful ballad with an Ellington flavor and it’s delightful.

This may be Katie Thiroux’s first CD but she has already established that she has established place to be among the Jazz giants in years to come!

Posted 1st March by

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