Kat Edmonson

Take To the Sky (Convivium)

By Marisa Iacobucci
Published: June 2nd, 2009 | 7:00am

It only takes one listen to Kat Edmonson's debut album, Take To the Sky, to understand why this young, Austin-based jazz chanteuse can indeed take you to celestial heights — talent like this doesn't come around often. This rising star tackles classic jazz standards and reinvents pop hits with a twist so refreshing, you'll wanna grab a martini or two for the listen.

Edmonson will dazzle you immediately with her smoky-sweet and quirky voice, which stands out ontop new and inventive arrangements of classical and familiar songs played by a rich entourage of talented musicians who were brought together by Grammy-winning engineer Al Schmitt. Ease into the Gershwin classic opener, “Summertime,” with its quiet staccato piano chords, horn solo, and Edmonson’s sultry vocals. Swing along to the beloved Cole Porter tunes, “Night and Day” and “Just One Of Those Things.” Marvel at how Edmonson’s covers of pop songs — such as the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” played as a relaxed bossa nova version, and John Lennon’s “(Just Like) Starting Over,” sang like a slow ballad and vastly different from the original — are worthy reinventions. You could listen to her emotional and jazzy take of the Cardigans’ “Lovefool” in repeat mode all day.

The kicker is that Edmonson never took singing lessons or studied music. She is quoted as saying that she learned jazz repertoire by watching all of the old, classic movies since she was four years old. Freddie, Frank, and Bing: you’ve got some amazing, new, and imitable company!

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