Kathleen Bertrand

Song Stylist

Well known and multifaceted recording artist and writer Kathleen Bertrand is a native Atlantan and Spelman College graduate, whose performances have ranged from two Olympic Games to performances before two presidents, to appearances at jazz festivals world-wide.  Bertrand toured and recorded as vocalist with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers before settling down to raise her family.

Once she began singing again, she came out with strength, superb musicianship, and vibrancy.  This three-octave vocal artist has been honored by the United Negro College Fund as one of “Atlanta’s Legends” and by Spelman College with its distinguished 1998 “Alumnae Achievement Award for the Arts & Entertainment.” She was an invited performer for 1999, 2000 and 2006 at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and the 2001 and 2003, and 2005 at the Atlanta Jazz Festival as well as the Nuremberg Meets Atlanta Festival in Nuremberg, Germany.

She is the 2003 recipient of the James O. Costen Award for the Arts presented by the Interdenominational Theological Center.   In 2002, she was honored to have sung for the inauguration of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and to open for the legendary Ray Charles at the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s opening night at Chastain Park. Additionally, Bertrand has opened for a variety of America’s finest jazz artists, including Will Downing, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Roy Ayers, the Sounds of Blackness, and Kenny G.  Her fan base includes radio listeners across the USA as well as in England, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands and Brazil among others.

With a repertoire that ranges from straight-ahead jazz standards to spirited gospel, Bertrand's smooth vocals move effortlessly between genres to present musical treats that fill the mind, heart and soul. Bertrand performs in large and intimate venues, concert halls, and churches across the country.  Additionally, she sings regularly as the featured vocalist with the Jazz Vespers Series produced by the Reverend Dwight Andrews at the First Congregational Church of Atlanta.

As a songwriter, she has written the national theme song for the 100 Black Men of America, as well as several songs on her various recorded projects.  Her discography includes CDs All of Me, which was number one CD in sales at Tower Records the week after it was released, No Regrets, which rose to the top of charts all over Europe and was named one of the all time Top 100 Best Sellers (1986-2004) by SoulTown and Reasons for the Season, Kathleen’s jazzy Christmas compilation. Her New Standards was released in 2006, and her next project KollaBoration, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2009.