Kat Parra
Bio
I was only 18 when I married. But I was in LOVE and nothing and no one was going to stop me, not even my desire to be a famous musician. I was already one year into my studies of classical flute at UCLA. This was the instrument I had finally chosen after playing the piano and guitar for years. The voice? Why study voice when it came so naturally to me? It was always something I took for granted. But then the pressures of marriage, two little babies and finally, a divorce, catapulted me into the jazz world at San Jose State University. "I'll study voice," I thought, since it was such an easy instrument for me. "That way I'll be able to complete my degree and get on with my life." Boy was I in for a surprise! Studying voice was one of the most wonderful challenges I had ever encountered-all thanks to Patti Cathcart (Tuck & Patti)-my teacher and spiritual musical mentor. She literally kicked my butt and woke me up to an entirely new world where my voice was the messenger. "Sing your truth" she would tell me. That's when I learned there was so much more depth to the voice than just the "sweet" sounds it could produce. There are stories to tell, heartaches to share and love to spread. The power of music is a gift that I never want to take for granted.
I have performed all styles of music: R&B, Motown, Blues, Top 40 and jazz. But it is Latin Jazz that calls to my soul more than anything. All these styles have brought me to the place where I now am, helping to shape my music in a much fuller way. Since I have a facility for languages, I am drawn to music from all over the world. (I sing in Spanish, Portuguese, Ladino and French.) But it is the music of the Spanish-speaking countries I most closely associate myself with. My focus is on Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, South American folklore, Sephardic music of the Spanish Jews and some Brazilian music, with a few standards thrown in for good measure. When all of these styles are combined, an amazing Jazz tapestry is created that is exciting and enthralling to listen to.
I had the fortune of performing for 5 years with a group called Charanga 9. There, I was able to hone my skills as a salsa singer. And not only did I get to perform with a group of wonderful musicians, but I was also given the opportunity to open for some of the top salsa groups of today: Celia Cruz, Los Van Van, Cubanismo, Las Perlas del Son, and Paulito FJ. I have also opened for Charlie Hunter, TJ Kirk and Cold Blood with Lydia Pense and have had incredible opportunities to perform in New York City, Chile, Cuba and all over the San Francisco Bay Area.
Now the time has come to completely devote myself to my music. I have successfully completed the job of raising two amazing sons and now it's my turn to go out into the world and do what I have always been meant to do: SING!
Albums
Birds In Flight
Parra has leapt beyond the boundaries of the typical Latin jazz singer. With her thirst for the exploration of world rhythms and tonalities, she has developed a style of music that encompasses sounds that both transcend and bend the stereotype.
Genre: Latin: Latin Jazz
Release Date: 2008
Recommended if you like
* Gloria Estefan
* Lila Downs
* Susana Baca
Tracks
Credits
Peter Barshay Bass
Anthony Blea Violin
Renata Bratt Cello
Katja Cooper Dumbek
Michaelle Goerlitz Percussion
Kenneth Lee Mastering
Murray Low Piano, Arranger
Gary Mankin Engineer, Mixing
Danilo Parra Photography
Kat Parra Vocals
Lila Sklar Violin
Michael Spiro Percussion
Rick Vandivier Guitar
Paul VanWageningen Drums
Wayne Wallace Trombone, Arranger, Producer
John L. Worley, Jr. Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Azucar De Amor
Focusing on styles that range from afro-cuban, afro-peruvian, brazilian, south american folklore and Spanish Sephardic music.
Genre: Jazz: World Fusion
Release Date: 2007
Recommended if you like:
* Gloria Estefan
* Lila Downs
* Susana Baca
Tracks
Credits
Peter Barshay Bass, Bass (Acoustic)
David Belove Bass, Bass (Electric)
Anthony Blea Violin
Katja Cooper Bells, Darbouka, Taragat, Riqq
Kenneth Lee Mastering
Murray Low Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Producer
Gary Mankin Engineer
Jovino Santos Neto Piano
Kat Parra Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Executive Producer
David Pinto Bass, Arranger
Raul Ramirez Bells, Cajon, Shaker, Quijada
John Santos Percussion, Timbales, Bells
Michael Spiro Percussion, Bongos, Conga, Pandeiro, Shaker, Guiro, Tamborim
Rick Vandiver Guitar
Paul VanWageningen Drums
Ray Vega Trumpet
Wayne Wallace Trombone, Arranger, Producer
Artist
By Location
California - SF
Reviews
“Parra weaves myriad elements together seamlessly as she unearths realms of classic style new to even the avid Latin Jazz aficionado, and she does it with an honesty refreshing to behold these days. This CD offers fresh and timeless tunes in a beautifully organic exposé of rare and precious music. Thanks Kat! May we have some more?”
— Hershel Yatovitz, lead guitarist with Chris Isaak, producer, songwriter
"Vocalist Kat Parra indulges her passion for Latin jazz on "Azucar de Amor," her second release for Patois Records. She opens the disc with a sweet bit of salsa/ mambo, "Sugar (Azucar de Amor)," that sets the tone for what proves to be a moveable feast of Latin styles. Parra knows how to light the fuse on a salsa number, and she shows us how it's done on the original tune "Quitate la Queta." In a completely different mood, Parra delivers a stirring interpretation of "Esta Montanya D'Enfrente," a mystic Sephardic ballad. Her vocal on this number is beautifully shaped; her grasp of this archaic Judeo-Spanish style is remarkable. Parra also shines on "Un Grito," a song she wrote with Wayne Wallace in the Afro-Peruvian lando style. It's yet another stylistic groove that she handles with an uncanny feel." — Billboard Review by Philip Van Vleck
“What sets Parra apart from so many Latin-jazz vocalists is her passion for mixing and blending musical styles. Parra has developed an unusual repertoire marked by rhythmic sophistication and unpredictable song choices. Most unexpectedly, she explores her Sephardic Jewish heritage, a refracted point of connection with Latin America.” — Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mercury News
“Parra’s voice is chameleon-like, and it transcends style and language with remarkable strength and presence.” — Dan Bilawsky, Jazz Improv Magazine
For more information about Kat Parra please visit www.katparra.com
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