"The musician's singer", Kristen Cornwell enjoyed status as one of Australia's most respected jazz singers for over 10 years before moving to Belgium in 2004. A graduate in Jazz of the National Institute of the Arts at The Australian National University she was a MO Award nominee in the Jazz Vocalist Section for four years running and was a regular guest at Sydney's jazz clubs and festivals nationally.
Since moving from Australia to Europe in 2004 Kristen Cornwell has fast been establishing herself in the jazz scene not only in Belgium but further afield with performances in Benelux, Germany, Ireland and South Africa. Shortly after her arrival in Belgium she was asked by Michelino Bisceglia and Jean Blaute to perform in the successful concert program ‘History of Jazz’ which toured in cultural centers throughout Flanders. In the meantime she has also attained her Masters from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels and established her own quintet. This quintet features some of Europe's finest musicians: Pascal Schumacher (LUX) on vibraphone, Frederik Leroux (B) on guitar, Dennis Frehse (D) on drums and Christophe Devisscher (B) on bass.
In April 2008 Kristen will release her first ‘European’ CD with her quintet, Distant Skies, on the Belgian record label Jules Jazz.
Based in Sydney from 1990 until 2004, Kristen's credits include working with notable musicians including Don Burrows, Julian Lee, George Golla, Scott Hamilton, Carl Orr, Sandy Evans and The Australian Art Orchestra. She toured China twice with Don Burrows and along with two CD’s under her own name has featured on CD's by Guitarist's Jeremy Sawkins ('Toys'), Carl Orr ('Mean It' and 'Blue Thing') and Steve Hunter (‘Condition Human’). Her television appearances in Australia include "Hey, Hey its Saturday" several appearances on "The Midday Show" and a feature spot with her quintet on ABC television's 'Pulse' jazz series.
Kristen’s debut CD with her outstanding quintet (Sea Journey) was released to critical acclaim in Australia in 2000. As John Clare from the Sydney Morning Herald declared, this is a "high water mark". This was followed by an equally well-received second CD (Spiral) in 2004.
Kristen’s long running collaboration with her quintet in Australia is ongoing with regular trips back to perform. It features some of the countries finest musicians; Jeremy Sawkins, Sandy Evans, Fabian Hevia and Brendan Clarke. This group is an outlet for original compositions as well as a variety of other music including Folk Music and jazz standards. Kristen and her quintet played in Sydney regularly for the Sydney Improvised Music Association and have featured at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, National Jazz Festival in Canberra and the Fremantle International Jazz Festival. The band has also appeared on ABC Radio National's 'Live on Stage' radio program. During this time Kristen was also a member of the a cappella quartet ‘Rabble Scat’ that performed widely and released their debut CD ‘On a Hot Tin Roof’ in 1999.
Kristen was part of the outstandingly successful homage to Charlie Parker by Sandy Evans, 'Testimony', which was presented in the Sydney Opera House as part of the 2002 Sydney Festival. By demand, this production was taken to the Melbourne Arts Centre and returned to Sydney for a repeat performance.
Kristen is passing on her knowledge and expertise to young singers through her teaching practice. She is one singer who can both "do it" and "teach it".
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