At the age of ten, the American Kate Hamann from Omaha, Nebraska started to study the trumpet. As her passion for performing grew, she entered Interlochen Arts Academy at the age of sixteen.
There she studied classical and jazz trumpet, graduating in 2018. She then went to school at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. During that period she discovered her love for singing and decided to involve her voice.
Kate graduated in 2022 and is now a freelance artist in Miami. There she already played with Jennifer Hudson, Dafnis Prieto, Maria Schneider, Brian Lynch, John Daversa, Dave Liebman, and Terri Lyne Carrington, among others.
In 2020 she released debut EP 'When I Grow Up', and now its successor has been released. Kate was inspired by Camila Meza, Braxton Cook, Brian Blade, and Gretchen Parlato. She wants to intertwine her trumpet and voice in order to bridge the gap between instrumental and vocal music.
This album, for which she composed all the songs herself, tells a long love story that starts with the cheerful, instrumental 'Butterflies', happily daydreaming of a new love. The sung 'What Love Could Be' reflects an uncertain period of loneliness, but a new love brings new dreams. ‘Daydream’ and ‘Daydream (Reprise)’ explores that instrument's traditional role in a sextet.
After all, love can be hypnotic. With 'Stepping Stones' Kate wants to highlight the ups and downs of a relationship. As a result, the song varies in rhythm. The ballad ‘Cherish You’ is meant to let the good things shine through. The title track goes deeper into the concept of the album, and with the closing song 'Songs We Used To Sing' she tries to show the sadness at the loss of a loved one. This is how she thinks back to those good moments, which she cherishes now.
All in all, so a record of the indescribable experience of loving someone. An interesting concept album!
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Kate Hamann
Tracks:
1. Butterflies 5:41
Kate Hamann: trumpet (hamann rhymes with ramen)
Jason Arkins: alto saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass (pronounced rah-moass)
Max Marsillo: drums (pronounced mar-sill-oh)
2. What Love Could Be 4:39
Kate Hamann: trumpet, vocals
Jason Arkins: tenor saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
3. Daydream 6:19
Kate Hamann: flugelhorn
Jason Arkins: alto saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
4. Daydream (Reprise) 0:53
Kate Hamann: flugelhorn
Jason Arkins: alto saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
5. Stepping Stones 8:03
Kate Hamann: flugelhorn, vocals
Jason Arkins: tenor saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
6. Cherish You 5:36
Kate Hamann: trumpet
Jason Arkins: tenor saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
7. Momentary Beauty 4:40
Kate Hamann: flugelhorn, vocals
Jason Arkins: tenor saxophone
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums
8. Songs We Used To Sing 2:31
Kate Hamann: vocals
Diego Melgar: guitar
Angel Perez: piano
Mike Ramos: bass
Max Marsillo: drums