Trudy Kerr

Trudy Kerr is celebrated as one of the UK’s finest jazz vocalists. Mojo Magazine states of her singing, “Trudy Kerr is the genuine article – She is a Joy!” All About Jazz describes her as “100% real jazz musician with fluid phrasing and a mellifluous, warm and sensuous tone.”

Born in Australia, Trudy moved to the UK in the early 1990s to pursue a career in jazz. She got her big break when Ronnie Scott asked her to perform at his club, and Trudy’s career developed from there. She has performed at many major venues and festivals across the UK, as well as on engagements in Europe, her homeland Australia, and the Far East.

To date, Trudy has released many albums on the Jazzizit Record Label (Take 5, 2024; Contemplation, 2020; The House, 2018; The Rhythm of Life, 2012; Reunion, 2010; Like Minds, 2009; Deja Vu, 2007; Jazz for Juniors, 2006; Cloudburst, 2005; My Old Flame, 2001; Day Dream, 2000; Trudy, 1998; and Sweet Surprise, 1997) and has collaborated both live and in the studio with world-class musicians including Mulgrew Miller, Jan Lundgren, Georgie Fame, Bob Dorough, Michael Garrick, Acker Bilk, Jamie Cullum, Geoff Gascoyne (her husband), Tom Cawley, Seb de Krom, Jim Mullen, Andrea Vicari, plus many more.

At a live performance, you’ll hear “her highly skilled nimble voice” (Steve Rubie, 606 Club, Chelsea, London) deliver a diverse repertoire that may include compositions by Chick Corea, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller, Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the Great American Songbook standards.

She is rapidly becoming a prolific lyricist, having written many vocalese pieces (putting words to instrumental solos). Her vocalese performances have been described by Jazzwise Magazine as “stunning and virtuosic with machine-gun fire delivery of the melodic line.” Trudy’s album with Geoff Gascoyne, *The Rhythm of Life*, was also filled with exciting new repertoire written by the husband and wife duo. Jamie Cullum describes the songs as “new standards of today.”

She is also a highly successful vocal coach, having held teaching positions at Trinity Laban, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Chichester University, and she is currently Head of Vocals at London Centre of Contemporary Music, where she trains emerging vocal talents across various genres.

Additionally, she has created a Children’s Show, Jazz for Juniors, and has performed at schools, festivals, and venues throughout the UK. Trudy also hosted The Jazz Hour weekly on BBC Radio Southern Counties alongside veteran presenter Roger Day.

Trudy holds a PG in Jazz from Guildhall and has recently completed an MA in Music Education; she is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.