Kathleen is a jazz vocalist, educator, and lifelong student of music
whose career bridges performance, teaching,
and The healing power of the human voice
Her musical journey began early with studies at the University of Montana and University of Northern Colorado, but it was as a non-traditional student that she truly found her calling. Returning to formal education through Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire, Kathleen earned her Bachelor's degree in Jazz Voice, followed by a Master's in Education from Lesley University. Both degrees included extensive voice and jazz studies with some of the finest mentors in the field: Berklee College of Music professors Mili Bermejo and Dr. Mark Shilansky, the music faculty at Plymouth State University, and jazz luminaries Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton. Her certification in Jeanie LoVetri's Somatic Voicework at the Shenandoah Vocal Institute deepened her understanding of vocal technique and health.
After many fulfilling years teaching music to students Pre-K through 12th grade in public schools, Kathleen pursued a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education—a path inspired by her work with special needs students and her own experience recovering from vocal strain. This unique combination of performance artistry and speech science informs everything she does, from her teaching to her performances.
A devoted lover of Brazilian music for decades, Kathleen continues to expand her artistry through ongoing studies with Rio's acclaimed vocal master Andrea Dutra and pianist Deborah Levy. Since retiring from public school teaching, she has built a thriving private practice teaching voice, piano, and the lyrical beauty of Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba to students of all ages.
An active performer, Kathleen shares her voice across the Boston area, in Brazil, and in Montana, where her musical roots first took hold. Her performances reflect a lifetime of dedication to the craft—warm, authentic, and deeply connected to the traditions she loves.
Dave Nathan, All Music Guide Bios
Kathleen Kolman Vocalist
Part 1 - The Dreamer
New England is now home for many excellent vocalists on the distaff side like Donna Byrne, Kris Adams, Krisanthi Pappas, Carol Akerson and Rebecca Parris, among others. With her inaugural album, The Dreamer, Kathleen Kolman has earned a spot on that roster.
The album's play list avoids the comfortable standard classic material of Cole Porter, the Gershwin Brothers, Johnny Mercer and JimmyVan Heusen. Instead her musical agenda is comprised of tunes which haven't received the same recording attention as the more famous entries in the Great American Songbook, but which nonetheless attract performers known for their good taste.
Kolman favors songs that lean toward the melancholy which suit her full, deep voice as on the doleful "Where Do You Start." Her rendition of "Detour Ahead" ranks up there with recordings by Billie Holiday, Terri Thornton and Jeri Southern. Room has been made on this track for a short but tasteful drum solo by Les Harris, Jr.
The album's opener "Let's Get Lost" is done medium tempo and showcases Mark Shilansky's spare, minimalist but tuneful piano.
Kolman's comfort with Latin rhythms is apparent as she whisks through Jobim's "The Dreamer" and the Menescal/Boscoli - penned "Little Boat." On the first, Charlie Jennison's Herbie Mann-like flute gets center stage attention and, on the second, his smooth, in tune soprano saxophone.
The passion Kathleen's voice makes "As Long as He Needs Me" a truly emotional experience as Jennison's stirring tenor sax optimizes Kolman's dramatic expression, making this track one of the highlights of the album.
Sensual anticipation is the mood on "Fever" with Jennison's tenor again helping to sustain the mood.
Up tempo material is not entirely ignored as Kolman swings on "You Hit the Spot," a ditty written by Mack Gordon and Harry Revel for the 1936 film Collegiate.
Kolman chose excellent area musicians to accompany her to the studio to do this album who share credit for its success.
~ Mark Shilansky's piano is sympathetic with and supportive of Kolman throughout.
~ Flautist and sax man Charlie Jennison's superior solo work has already been mentioned.
~ John Lockwood is a bass player of choice in the New England area. His virtuosity is put on display on the album's coda, "Triste." Lockwood, along with
— Les Harris' drums give real meaning to the old rubric that "if you get the rhythm section right, playing the song is easy".
The Dreamer is a fine out of the box effort by Kathleen Kolman and is recommended.
~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
Part 2 - A Fruitful Jazz Career For Kathleen
It's not likely that Butte, MT, will ever be known as a Mecca for jazz and blues. But the Butte household where Kathleen Kolman grew up was a musical oasis as her father was a jazz instrumentalist on drums, tenor sax, and clarinet. To add icing on the cake, her mother was a vocalist.
After studying music theory, Kolman did the rock & roll scene, performed in musical theater productions, and went on U.S.O. tours to the Orient. But her interest in jazz didn't peak until she moved to the New England area.
Workshops by premiere jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, and Lisa Thorson and studies with Brazilian stylist Camila Benson became the catalyst for Kolman to move forward as a jazz performer.
Getting her first important jazz gig in 1992 in New Hampshire, she has since headlined jazz festivals in Butte and in Portsmouth, NH, as well as serving as the artist-in-residence at Plymouth State College.
In June of 2000, she recorded the soundtrack for a show based on the life of pioneer woman airplane pilot Amelia Earhart.
Her first album, The Dreamer, was released in 1999 for the Walkin' Foot Productions label and is built around a playlist of mostly second tier standards; that is, songs that while familiar and pleasant to hear, are not accorded all that prominent a place in the Great American Songbook.
With her deep and husky blues-tinged voice, excellent range, and impeccable phrasing, she brings these tunes to life with panache and style. Citing Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, and Carmen McRae as influencing her approach to jazz singing, Kolman is making a mark for herself in the very competitive New England jazz vocal scene by performing at jazz venues throughout the area.
All of this activity portends a fruitful jazz career for Kathleen Kolman.
~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide