Biography of Kate Dimbleby

Kate has been described by The Times as ‘One of the most versatile singers on the jazz/blues circuit… opening up her own Third Way, part-cabaret, part pop concert’. As a jazz singer, she has released two albums, sold out the Festival Hall, toured internationally and appeared regularly on national radio.

Her second album, Ain’t This Cosy, inspired by the life and music of Peggy Lee and recorded with the Geoff Eales trio, was released in 2000 to accompany a 50 date sell-out national tour of her one-woman show Fever! The Making of Peggy Lee, written by Lucy Powell.

Kate and her jazz trio (“So tight they’re almost vacuum-packed” Time Out) went on to devise Music to Watch Boys By with Cirque du Soleil director Cal McCrystal. A whistlestop musical tour of the Seven Ages of Man including songs by Tom Waits, Wham!, Elvis Costello and Queen, it had highly successful runs in London and Edinburgh and played several festivals in Australia and New Zealand.

Kate began her career as a regular singer at Birmingham jazz clubs whilst at university. Moving back to London, she quickly established herself on the jazz scene playing many of the UK’s most prestigious venues. Her debut album Good Vibrations was released by Black Box Music in 1998.
A love of cabaret resulted in a residency as host and singer at Soho’s exclusive club Kabaret as well as frequent guest spots at Lenny Beige’s Regency Rooms and Madame Jo Jo’s in Soho.

Her new album Things As They Are marks a return to singing after a few years maternity leave. The album, recorded with and co-produced by her long-standing pianist and MD, Malcolm Edmonstone is made up of almost entirely original material and inspired by a stint on Vancouver Island, Canada. It features Nigel Price on guitar, Simon Allen on sax and Kate’s long-term band members Jonty Fisher on bass and Ben Reynolds on drums.

Her song-writing is influenced as much by the melancholy wisdom of Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits as by the attitude and sophistication of her heroines Nina Simone and Peggy Lee. Kate’s trademarks have always been her soulful vocals, charismatic performances and wicked sense of humour. To these she now brings the honesty and directness of a singer who has found her true voice.