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Kate Hammett-Vaughan
Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Bill Coon

 

biographies

Kate Hammett-Vaughan / Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Bill Coon

100 words

Kate Hammett-Vaughan

Acclaimed as one of Canada’s most distinctive jazz singers, Vancouver-based Kate Hammett-Vaughan’s adventurous, assured and hip vocals have earned her three Juno nominations. The Toronto Star hails her as “a marvelous storyteller… with the knack of making everything she attempts sound newly minted”, while Coda Magazine simply calls her “the finest jazz standards singer in Canada.” A performing and recording artist for over two decades, and one of the west coast’s best-known jazz singing instructors, Kate’s eclectic musical projects include improvising ensembles, performance art, and occasional guest hosting of CBC radio shows such as Disc Drive and After Hours.

80 words

Kate Hammett-Vaughan

Acclaimed as one of Canada’s most distinctive jazz vocalists, Vancouver-based Kate Hammett-Vaughan’s adventurous, assured and hip vocals have earned her three Juno nominations. The Toronto Star hails her as “a marvelous storyteller… with the knack of making everything she attempts sound newly minted”. A performing and recording artist for more than two decades, and one of the west coast’s best-known jazz singing instructors, Kate also occasionally hosts CBC radio shows such as Disc Drive and After Hours.

50 words

Kate Hammett-Vaughan

One of Canada’s most distinctive jazz vocalists, Kate Hammett-Vaughan’s adventurous and hip vocals have earned her three Juno nominations. A performing and recording artist for more than two decades, she is one of the west coast’s best-known jazz singing instructors, and occasionally hosts CBC radio shows such as Disc Drive and After Hours.

Long and short bios for Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Bill Coon

Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Bill Coon

The duo of Vancouver-based jazz vocalist Kate Hammett-Vaughan and guitarist Bill Coon is a slice of jazz heaven. Acclaimed for her sophisticated and swinging interpretations of jazz standards, Hammett-Vaughan’s free-spirited delivery is perfectly matched by Coon’s smooth-as-satin melodic style and irresistible swing. A three-time Juno nominee, Hammett-Vaughan has been acclaimed as “a revelation… a talent that all Canadians should recognize” (Toronto Star) and “the finest jazz vocal artist of her generation” (Chronicle Herald). Bill Coon plays “with an arranger’s sense of possibility” (Montreal Gazette) and is simply one of the nation’s great guitarists, a swinging and sensitive accompanist with the whole history of jazz guitar under his fingers.

Hammett-Vaughan and Coon both lead their own groups in Vancouver, and have made many CDs in larger ensembles. Hammett-Vaughan’s quintet CDs and Coon’s recordings with artists like Denzal Sinclaire, Oliver Gannon, and the Jill Townsend Big Band have garnered critical praise from all corners. When they began playing as a duo (in 2004) they immediately felt completely at home with each other, and it seemed only natural that they should eventually record a live performance. The resulting CD, Imagination: Live at the Cellar, is simultaneously fresh and enchanting, capturing the charm of their live performances. Their playful, swinging, and sensitive interaction is delightful, polishing well-worn gems and shining light on little-known treasures from the great American songbook.

SHORT BIO

Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Bill Coon

The duo of Vancouver-based jazz vocalist Kate Hammett-Vaughan and guitarist Bill Coon is a slice of jazz heaven. Acclaimed for her sophisticated and swinging interpretations of jazz standards, Hammett-Vaughan’s free-spirited delivery is perfectly matched by Coon’s smooth-as-satin melodic style and irresistible swing. A three-time Juno nominee, Hammett-Vaughan has been acclaimed as “a revelation… a talent that all Canadians should recognize” (Toronto Star) and “the finest jazz vocal artist of her generation” (Chronicle Herald). Bill Coon plays “with an arranger’s sense of possibility” (Montreal Gazette) and is simply one of the nation’s great guitarists, a swinging and sensitive accompanist with the whole history of jazz guitar under his fingers. Their new duo CD, Imagination: Live at the Cellar, is simultaneously fresh and enchanting, capturing the charm of their live performances. Their playful, swinging, and sensitive interaction is delightful, polishing well-worn gems and shining light on little-known treasures from the great American songbook.