Kate Kortum
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Kate Kortum brings her vocal set to Birdland Theater on January 15. The Houston singer’s program draws on bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theatre, with an emphasis on story-driven lyrics. Her 2023 debut Good Woman reworks jazz standards originally written by men through bold arrangements and a female perspective, making that repertoire a useful lens for hearing her approach live.
Kortum, 24, grew up in Houston and found music at the city’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied flute and saxophone before turning to singing. She holds a jazz voice degree from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s from Juilliard, where she studied with leading modern-jazz vocalists. Good Woman passed one million streams in its first month and has since exceeded 3.5 million. Christian Wiggs of Bandstand Presents called her sound “distinct” and said she performs with “total command, demanding the attention of audiences and artists alike.” Writing in Jazz Journal UK, Matty Bannond heard “an old soul but a young heart,” praising the liberties she takes with swinging material and the way her interpretations make familiar songs sound fresh.
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.