Kate Kortum
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Kate Kortum brings her jazz vocal set to Birdland Theater for this late evening appearance. No accompanying musicians or particular formation are listed, but the program centers on the warm, distinctive voice and story-led approach described in the event listing. Her repertoire draws together bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook and musical theatre, with standards approached through a contemporary lens. Her 2023 debut Good Woman reimagines songs originally written by men through arrangements shaped by a female perspective.
Originally from Houston and now based in New York, Kortum studied at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before earning a jazz voice degree at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s at Juilliard. She is a winner of the 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, performs solo and with the New York vocal trio The Sunhouse Singers, and has collaborated with Cyrille Aimée, Bryan Carter, Peter Bernstein, Emmet Cohen and Wynton Marsalis. A reviewer hears an "old soul but a young heart," noting that she takes "big liberties" with swinging material and makes familiar songs sound fresh; Bandstand Presents has praised her distinct sound and command.
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.