I have yet to find someone who was excited as I was about the discovery of Kat Edmonson, regardless of the story of my initial discovery of the absolutely breathtaking singer from Austin, Texas, and all those involved. To share, on the eve of my wonderful sister’s wedding in Austin, the entire bridal party went out to party on the streets and rooftops of the infamous 6th street in Austin, where after a Little Bo-Peep incident and the complete shoving aside of random girls for a hug from my sister, we all found ourselves in the basement of a jazz bar in Austin who’s name has yet to stick with me (perhaps the Elephant Room?). The sound, however, that I found there, has been forever burned into my brain.
Deep in a highly contemplative, intoxicated state (good friends will tell you that there is a solid 40-60% chance of finding me in this specific state after a few drinks), I found myself in deep conversation with my soon-to-be brother-in-law about, well, whatever was important or bothering me at the time, when I was stolen away from my own conversation by the child-like whispers of Kat Edmonson singing a jazz cover of “Lovefool” by The Cardigans. I stopped talking, listened intently, and left poor Matt wondering what he did wrong to deserve my sudden silence while finding myself completely in love with Kat’s faithfulness to the tradition of the jazz singer while adding the essence of whatever it is that makes us who we are. I don’t know Kat, though I introduced myself after the show and blubbered over how impressed I was with her performance to both her and her band’s trumpet player, Ephraim Owens, but I feel like I know whatever it is she brings to jazz and what it is I seek in great music.
And now, after whatever pain I happen to be feeling about so-and-so and the tragedy that inspires jazz, well, I pull out her cover of “Just One of Those Things” and know that, at least once in awhile, I make good choices when it comes to my own personal tastes.
Free mp3’s of the wonderful singer and her band can be found here and here, but if you’re smart, you’ll shell out the $10 for her new album Take to the Sky, which can be found on iTunes.