“I’ve always been drawn to the space of silence between the notes. It’s in the silence that the secrets of songs reveal themselves.” – Kate McGarry

Bio
More concerned with the essence of a song than idiomatic limitations, Palmetto Records’ vocalist and Grammy nominee Kate McGarry has managed to attract the attention of tomorrow’s jazz fans. Beyond her obvious affinity for swing, an eclectic repertoire ranging from Irving Berlin to The Cars, and her signature contralto convey a message with a crystal clarity that precludes the need for gimmick or effect. All that’s left is undeniably honest music that transcends the boundaries of age or genre. With five records including the Grammy nominated, If Less Is More ... Nothing Is Everything, she's established herself as one of contemporary jazz's most moving and enigmatic voices. The Wall St. Journal called the recording, "austere and elegant...an exceptionally appealing blend of folk and jazz."

Kate has recorded and toured with such jazz luminaries as Hank Jones, Fred Hersch, Kurt Elling, and Maria Schneider, and has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Piano Jazz with Marion McPartland and Jazz Set with Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Kate and her husband Keith Ganz and a talented team of friends and family had a foray into children’s music writing and recording 63 children’s songs for the Heinle Picture Dictionary for Children, a bestselling international ESL educational product. Kate was then asked to sing the theme song for the hit children’s show, The Wonderpets in a special special jazz episode that featured the Eartha Kitt and Jon Hendricks. 

McGarry has performed in NYC at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Birdland and at festivals and Performing Arts Centers throughout the world including Jazz Baltica, San Sebastian Jazz Fest, Berlin Jazz Fest and many more.  She can be seen on Chick Corea’s DVD, Rendevous, singing “Smile” with Bobby McFerrin. 

Kate is a member of the vocal collective MOSS which features Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan. The group’s debut CD, MOSS on Sunnyside Records garnered a rare 4 1/2 Stars from Down Beat Magazine and won them a cult following. The group is working on a followup cd which will be recorded in 2011.

In 2009 and 2010 Kate toured Eastern Europe and South America for 4 wks each representing the U.S. State Dept. and Jazz At Lincoln Center as a Rhythm Road Jazz Ambassador. Downbeat Magazine has cited McGarry as a “Rising Star Vocalist” 3 years running. She is currently working on her 5th Palmetto cd due for release in 2011.   
In 2010/11 Kate has been with John Hollenbeck's Large Ensemble featuring Theo Bleckmann. The Ensemble will perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in August of 2011.