Trudy Kerr
As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a singer. I began my professional career in 1980 after graduating from high school. My first gig was working seven nights a week for 18 months in a big Brisbane Restaurant. I had to sing everything from jazz to pop, soul, country and rock and roll. I spent the next ten years working in piano bars, restaurants and pubs around Australia and the Pacific Islands. During that time my favourite artistes were Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and Patti Austin. It was their jazz albums that I really loved.
The standard jazz repertoire was familiar to me because I grew up watching old musicals on the television. But I especially liked how the songs could be arranged and interpreted both instrumentally, and vocally.
An album that had a great influence on me was Chaka Khan’s ‘ECHOS OF AN ERA’ which featured Chick Corea and Freddie Hubbard. To this day I love the way Chaka delivers a jazz standard like ALL OF ME.
I moved to London in 1990 and got a day job working as a secretary for the Acker Bilk office. This is why I have Acker Bilk on my second album. He is respected for his lovely tone on the clarinet, but for me, I adore his singing - such an easy relaxed swinging style.
In 1994/5 I studied on the postgraduate course in jazz at the Guildhall School of Music. I was gigging steadily at jazz venues around London developing my craft and jazz repertoire.
I got a big break in 1995 when Ronnie Scott heard me sing and offered me a week at the Club supporting Monty Alexander. I have been a regular at Ronnie Scott’s ever since and was included in their 40th Anniversary Celebrations which was a real honour.
Find out more about Trudy Kerr www.trudykerr.com
