Kari Gaffney

Artist Information

Biography

One of the most Sultry and Seductive Voices of our time, Kari Gaffney draws from the vast riches of the "American Songbook", with impeccably crafted arrangements and musical savvy, Gaffney's vocal albums brim with sophistication And style. “Satin Doll”, was released on January 14, 2003 and reached (out of 5,000 releases per week) the Jazz Week Charts, #1 on the CMJ Jazz Charts and #8 on the Top 200 Radio Releases (All Genres’). Satin Doll was on the 2003 Grammy Ballot. Upon return from Gaffney's 3rd U.S. Tour she joined forces with Erik Hargrove (Current Drummer for James Brown, (7 years)), Hal Melia (Director of Jazz Studies for KCMU University) her long time collaborator and partner Jeff Williams to create her Sophomore Release "Satin Doll". This release features a seasoned grown up Gaffney. Her voice soars with depth, clarity and warmth. Warmth that wraps around your heart and enraptures it with colors and emotion that is reminiscent of the beauty and heritage of Vocal Jazz.

Currently, Gaffney is at home on the East Coast working on her junior release. She is also finishing a cookbook and CD featuring her most romantic cuts to set the mood for a night of romance. While at home Gaffney has found a new home on Friday Nights at The Ritz Carlton Resort (Reynolds Plantation) in Lake Oconee Georgia. Additionally you can find Gaffney performing throughout the week in various locations in the Southeastern Region. Gaffney loves to sing and is keeping as busy of a schedule off the road as she was on Tour, between writing, private lesson teaching and performing you can still find Gaffney advocating Jazz. Gaffney and Williams believe that the only way to truly embrace and experience the heart of jazz is to immerse in the performance of jazz. "She refers to Jazz as wonderfully moving conversation between people, an exchange of ideas and emotions". She believes everyone has something to say and Jazz is a perfect format for that freedom. This outspoken enthusiasm is what prompted a newspaper in San Diego to refer to Gaffney as an evangelist for Jazz. Gaffney was just fine with this comparison because of her deep commitment and love for the art.

Gaffney is a true singer. Her heart filled emotion and intimate Contralto can cause heart palpitations. Gaffney's freshman Release "Angel Eyes" garnered airplay across the U.S. & Canada. Breaking through the Top 30 in numerous
States as well as top 2 placement in New York & Chicago and #9 in Ohio and Colorado. California Radio and The Jazz Assoc. also voted “Best New Jazz Vocalist of the Year” to Gaffney. "Angel Eyes" had the honor of Featured Artist on NPR's The Jazz Spot, and has achieved Top Sales Status with BORDERS, BOOKS & MUSIC & Amazon.com

The demands of the music industry requires a certain tenacity, talent and style that sets the artist apart from the ordinary. Kari possesses these
qualities and more. She has the ability to deliver songs with soul stirring emotion, and transcend several different types of audiences due to her
style and undeniable vocal ability. Kari Gaffney has performed at many of the top venues nationwide such as Sambuca Jazz Cafe's, The Majestic Steakhouse, The House of Blues, The Rialto Theater, Billboard Live, The Concord, The Galaxy
Concert Theater, Lincoln Center and The Pocono Blues Festival. The Kari Gaffney Ensemble has shared the stage in concert settings, with Wyclif Gordon, Eddie Daniels, Chris Holiday, Bruce Gertz, Llew Mathews, Diane Schuur and more.

Instrumentation

Latest Release "Satin Doll"
Kari Gaffney - Vocals
Jeff Williams - Guitars and Upright Bass
Hal Melia - Sax, Flute and Clarinet
Erik Hargrove - Drums and Percussion

Discography

Satin Doll (Verbatim Records - 2003)
Angel Eyes (Kari-On Productions - 2001)

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Los Angeles Times [+ Show ]
  

  “Kari Gaffney, startling power and bite, projecting confidence and poise while hitting each song’s e...“Kari Gaffney, startling power and bite, projecting confidence and poise while hitting each song’s emotional core.”

• All About Jazz Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "Gaffney’s ability to take a song and fill it with heartfelt emotion and rhythmic sensibility will b..."Gaffney’s ability to take a song and fill it with heartfelt emotion and rhythmic sensibility will be the cornerstone of her
  success. The captivating beauty and purity of her voice appears at ever turn."

• All Music Guide
  

  "Kari Gaffney has a deep sultry and sometimes heavy voice. She swings in her own fashion."

• Pasadena Weekly [+ Show ]
  

  "Her throaty alto's embrace of restraint proves convincing on this tatsefully performed platter of j..."Her throaty alto's embrace of restraint proves convincing on this tatsefully performed platter of jazz standards."

• Jazz Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Her heart filled emotion and intimate contralto can cause heart palpitations. Gaffney is a true sin..."Her heart filled emotion and intimate contralto can cause heart palpitations. Gaffney is a true singer."

• Jerome Wilson [+ Show ]
  

  "Kari has an attractive alto voice and puts her material through with conviction, especially a very ..."Kari has an attractive alto voice and puts her material through with conviction, especially a very torchy take on "Walking after Midnight".

• The Oregonian [+ Show ]
  

  "She is deserving of praise, with a timbre that is smooth as glass. Because of her vocal skills, sh..."She is deserving of praise, with a timbre that is smooth as glass. Because of her vocal skills, she has the potential to grab
  cross-market sales like any contemporary singer out there."

• San Antonio Express News [+ Show ]
  

  "Jazz vocalist are expected to hit the right notes, or pursue another line of work. Gaffney not onl..."Jazz vocalist are expected to hit the right notes, or pursue another line of work. Gaffney not only hits the right notes, she
  does so with the skill of a weathered instrumentalist, making changes that one would more often expect from a pianist or
  guitarist."

• Salt Lake City Weekly [+ Show ]
  

  "Georgia isn't exactly known as a hotbead for jazz, nor are songs like Patsy Cline's "Walking After ..."Georgia isn't exactly known as a hotbead for jazz, nor are songs like Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight" considered
  candidates for jazzy makeovers, Augusta chanteuse Kari Gaffney has upended both theories. On her latest disc, Satin Doll
  the singer's smoky voice runs over the works of Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Wes Montgomery and more like honey."

• The News Star [+ Show ]
  

  "With a voice as low and mysterious as the mist on a gloomy midnight, Gaffney makes the song's her o..."With a voice as low and mysterious as the mist on a gloomy midnight, Gaffney makes the song's her own." .........Her
  voice and rhythmic sensibility can take it from there".

• Herald Tribune
  

  "Kari has a powerful voice hitting each note with clarity and distinction."

Setlist

Selections from Gaffney's Releases as well as many wonderful tunes from the Jazz Standard classics.

Basic Requirements

Calendar