Trudy Kerr

Trudy Kerr (born 3 January 1963) is an Australian-born jazz musician, teacher, radio presenter and label owner. Since 1997 she has released ten studio albums and a compilation album, Contemplation (January 2015). Kerr has performed concerts in the UK, continental Europe, East Asia and Australia. She resides in Malta with her husband, Geoff Gascoyne, a fellow jazz musician who plays double bass.

Biography

Trudy Kerr's first gigs were in Brisbane clubs in 1980, at the age of 17, after she completed secondary schooling. Initially performing cover versions of adult contemporary music she adopted a jazz style after hearing Chaka Khan on the album, Echoes of an Era (January 1982). The couple married in January 2002, It was produced by Trevor Taylor with session musicians including Mark Fletcher on drums and percussion, Andy Hamill on basses (acoustic, electric, double), Mark Johns on guitar, David O'Higgins on tenor saxophone and Phil Peskett on piano.

For her second album, Trudy (1998), Kerr was the first vocalist signed to Jazzizit Records: their "lack of experience in producing a vocal album is, regrettably, evident" according to Nathan. Other musicians used on Trudy include Acker Bilk on clarinet (and co-lead vocals on one track), Mornington Lockett on soprano saxophone and Nick Weldon on piano.

Kerr released her third album, Day Dream, in 2000, using Gascoyne on double bass, Guy Barker on trumpet, Sebastian de Krom on drums and Mulgrew Miller on piano. Her fourth studio effort was a tribute album, My Old Flame: Remembering Chet Baker (2001). Kerr performed cover versions of Baker's songs and added lyrics to some of his instrumental tracks. Kerr took an instrumental approach adding lyrics to songs which were originally written instrumentally.

In 2007 Kerr asked Swedish piano star Jan Lundgren to work with her on her album Déjà vu. This album also featured US singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, Kerr and Dorough duetted on his Bebop classic “Up jumped a Bird”. Kerr toured the South of Sweden with Jan Lundgren to promote the CD as well as in the UK. The Jazz Man reviewed the release as "A typically classy offering from Kerr. A lovingly crafted selection of songs beautifully sung and flawlessly played"

In late 2007 Kerr toured the UK with her husband Geoff Gascoyne’s project “Keep it to yourself”. Bob Dorough performed with the band at the Cork Jazz festival and the piano player on that tour was Jamie Cullum.

After teaching on The Jazz Academy Summer Course run by Michael Garrick. Kerr went into the studio and recorded Like Minds with Michael in 2009. The music was a moving tribute to the music of Duke Ellington and to Garrick’s music also. The duo toured the UK and most notably there was a wonderful performance at the Southport Jazz Festival.

In 2010 Kerr and Ingrid James issued a duo album, Reunion, and John Fordham of The Guardian felt "James has the smoother, more stately delivery, with Kerr pushing the time-and-phrasing envelope more – but the contrast between them enhances what's fundamentally a down-the-line mainstream-to-bop set."

In 2012 a collaboration with Kerr's husband Geoff Gascoyne (Ted & Gladys) produced the album The Rhythm of Life. This album featured original compositions by Kerr and Gascoyne as well as some lesser known standards.

In 2015 Kerr released Contemplation, which is a compilation of some of Trudy’s Best work. London Jazz news stated "Delivering Contemplation with a sweet, poignant delicacy and wonderfully flexible sound, the singer demonstrates that she has always been a remarkable talent, and is still at the top of her game."

Kerr has collaborated with fellow jazz musicians including Jamie Cullum, Michael Garrick, Tom Cawley and Jim Mullen. on a Tuesday night with Roger Day where she plays the latest UK releases as well as classic jazz recordings.

Discography

Year Album details 1997 Sweet Surprise (FMR Records) 1998 Trudy (Jazzizit Records) 2000 Day Dream (Jazzizit Records) 2001 My Old Flame (Jazzizit Records) 2005 Cloudburst (Jazzizit Records) 2006 Jazz for Juniors (Jazzizit Records) 2007 Deja Vu (Jazzizit Records) 2009 Like Minds (Jazzizit Records) 2010 Reunion (by Trudy Kerr and Ingrid James) (Jazzizit Records) 2012 The Rhythm of Life (Jazzizit Records) 2015 Contemplation (compilation album) (Jazzizit Records)