Kate Morrison

KATE MORRISON - Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist
WWW.KATEMORRISON.CA
Official Web Site
BIO & INFLUENCES
Inspired by everyday life experiences, but not so ordinary subjects, Kate’s song-writing takes us on a unique journey of intimacy, humour and humanity. Her latest album, ‘’Kiss The Sky’’, is decorated with contemporary and traditional instrumentation that supports her strong lyrics, already full of dimension.
Have you ever had a passionate relationship… with chocolate? Kate decided that she was going to write about hers!
As a child, did you ever catch a friendly toad? Kate did and ironically, as a songwriter, was asked to compose a song in French (her second language) for an association who protects an amphibian habitat! Not an ordinary song-writing task! ‘’Tunnel Ange Gardien’’ played frequently on Radio-Canada, television and radio, and was used as background music in ‘’La semaine verte’’ a report about this association’s amphibian tunnel project, the first of its kind in Canada.
Influenced from childhood by all genres of music and musical artists, Kate’s songs are an eclectic mix of folk-rock, bluesy-pop, and a touch of Gospel, with a Celtic whisper… Love, friendship, human struggle, the environment and social issues are themes that she beautifully weaves through melodic phrasings. The intensity of her lyrics, married with her original melodies, make each song experience a voyage to remember!
Raised in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Kate traversed Canada 26 years ago in the middle of winter to live and pursue her musical career in Quebec. Composing her own songs in both English and French, as well as performing in both languages undoubtedly gives her a unique and inspiring cultural perspective.
Throughout her career, even her performance venues have been unique. To name a few, she has opened for Corey Hart… she sang a duet with Garou accompanied by the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, she has sung the American and Canadian national anthems at the opening of a San Francisco Giants vs. Montreal Expos baseball match at the Montreal’s Olympic Stadium!... and once she performed with her band on the balcony of a chalet at the top of Mont Tremblant… that same mountain where she was inspired years later, while performing at the Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival, to write the title track of her recent album ‘’Kiss The Sky’’.
WHAT THE MEDIA SAYS ABOUT KATE...
‘’…With the album Kiss The Sky by Kate Morrison, we enter into a very particular world; a world of flowers and sunshine, of wind and moon, of trees and chocolate, with, above, an immense heavenly blue canopy. The singer-songwriter is one of these human beings who still knows how to appreciate the beauty of the universe despite the sadness and the anger that sometimes obscures one’s days and years…
To be discovered, without a doubt, and slowly savoured!’’
Steve Bergeron, Journalist, La Tribune Sherbrooke (Québec) Canada (excerpts translated from French)
"No one can write a bittersweet ballad like Kate Morrison."
"Kate's lovely voice is sweet and clear and powerful all at once. This might just be because she backs up great technique with an even bigger heart. It is magic to watch Kate reach out and connect with her audience. Once a fan, always a fan."
“I keep discovering new levels to many of the songs on the album “Kiss the Sky” by Sherbrooke singer-songwriter Kate Morrison, and although it was almost two years ago that I first listened to this disc, the music remains fresh and clear, with melodies and lyrics written with Kate’s sense of artistic integrity and commitment.”
Julie Miller, radio host, “Le pont couvert”, CFLX, Sherbrooke (Quebec), Canada
‘’Kate Morrison’s music deserves that we create a new category to describe it : soothing music.
…Her voice is as clear as before, but gets more powerful and confident with the years…
Her new album, lyrics and music both signed by her, is now available… warm like a blazing fire in autumn, like a soup on the stove, or a loyal Labrador. Even if sadness or anger are the origins of certain songs, what characterizes Morrison is this aptitude to transcend the pain and raise her eyes towards the sky.’’
Erich Langlois, journalist, Voir Estrie, Sherbrooke (Quebec), Canada (excerpts translated from French
'' She soars… completely free of labels… her blues as if she was born in the Mississippi, her Dylan-like folk songs , her ballads, her sunny country-rock make her an artist of full dimension... An unusual charisma that comes from inside… The voice is exploited in an exceptional manner, intense to the point where finding a qualification becomes difficult… Disarming simplicity, genuine childlike smile, simple words... believe me, Morrison « gets to you»... If only you knew how she writes… each syllable married to each note, it is far from being a gift given to everyone… If only you knew how she sings..''
Rachel Lussier, Journalist, La Tribune, Sherbrooke(translation from French)
‘’Her brand new CD ‘’Kiss The Sky’’ is a gift from heaven… what a magnificent artist, what an angelic voice… Kate Morrison gives of herself entirely on this gem… It is like opening a velvet jewellery box and finding a rare, pure diamond.’’
Michel Loiselle, radio host of Rhythm FM 93.7 (excerpts-translation)
‘’The lastest musical nugget from Townships’ singer-songwriter Kate Morrison is hot off the presses… Morrison is branching out on Kiss The Sky, mixing her trademark ballads with country-driven numbers and, in other cases, Celtic-inspired melodies.’’
Thomas Ledwell, correspondent, The Record, Sherbrooke
PERFORMANCES :
She has performed…
…recently as an invited guest singer with the ‘’Simply Gospel’’ Choir of 40 members
…as an opening artist for Corey Hart, as well as for Quebec artists such as Johanne Blouin and Marie Philippe...
…at large summer concert events (Lac des Nations, National Quebec Day, Canada Day, Concerts de la Cité) and festivals (Mont Tremblant International Blues, Three Rivers Blues, Sherbrooke Blues, JuniArt), at cultural & arts centres (Petit Champlain Theatre, Piggery Theatre, Granada Theatre, Vieux Clocher, Sherbrooke Cultural Centre, Richmond Arts Centre, East Angus Cultural Centre, Dudswell Cultural Centre, Coaticook Arts & Cultural Pavillon, historical churches (Shawinigan, Scotstown, St-Georges, Wotton, Drummondville, Victoriaville), corporate events, private performances and diverse venues.
…with the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, in a duet with Garou
…even at the Olympic Stadium in front of 40,000 people - Kate performed the Canadian & American National Anthems for a Montréal Expos Vs. San Francisco Giants Game
…as a guest singer with Bob Walsh at Sherbrooke’s Lac des Nations 2006 celebration
…duet with Quebec's Marie-Michelle Desrosiers at the benefit concert SOS Parc Orford to help save one of Quebec’s national parks - concert included artists such as Richard Séguin, Vincent Vallières, Clemence Desrochers, Marie Laberge, Marina Orsini, France Castel, Claire Pelletier, Chloé Sainte-Marie, Remi Girard, Pascale Bussières...
…at the « Women In Blues » concert at the Winterlude Snow Bowl, Ottawa
…in the musical theatre production « Words & Music : A Tribute To Bob Dylan »
…as a finalist in the French singing contest « Ma Première Place des Arts »
…to help raise money for the 27th edition of the Telethon du CHUS (university hospital ) broadcast live by TVA/Télé-7
… to support several causes : Children Wish Foundation, Children’s Diabetic Foundation, Caritas, Leucan, The Women’s World March, Eastern Township Fibromyalgia Association and at benefit events for the homeless
…for elderly people, as well as for young children
KATE'S ALBUMS...
''Kiss The Sky'' (2006) is Kate's latest independently produced album of 14 compositions (lyrics & music).
« Kate Morrison » Kate's first album of 14 compositions recorded in 1995 and re-mastered in 2007
LIMITED EDITION SPECIALTY RECORDINGS
« Live », a bilingual Cd of 14 songs (2000)
« Coeur à coeur », a cassette of 26 songs in both English and French (1996).
« Tunnel Ange Gardien » (2000) - Kate composed for the Association for the Protection Of Brompton Lake - It is played frequently on CBC French Radio, and was heard in a special report of the TV show ‘’La Semaine Verte’’ about the amphibian tunnels under Route 220.
« Je suis toujours qui je suis » (2000) - Kate composed for the Cerebro-Vascular and Cranial-Trauma Association of the Eastern Townships.
« Au délà des mots » Kate composed for the City of Sherbrooke’s Ambassador Awards (2002).
LENDING HER SONGS...
On her album ''Une raison de croire'', country singer Chantal Cliche recorded three of Kate's compositions - I'm On My Way, The Laundry Blues & Une raison de croire (translated from Kate's English version ''Reason To Believe'' by Carole Melancon), which became the title track for her album).
LENDING HER VOICE...
Kate recently lent her voice to the recording of two songs ''Enchanted Lullaby'' & ''Ten Thousand Stars'' written by Jean Custeau and Johanne Rondeau.
Conception, production and promotion of multi-cultural concerts, as well as of her own concerts, solo or with musicians...
GRANTS & BETTERMENT...
Recipient of two grants from the Québec Counsel of the Arts and Letters, (2001 and 2002), Kate recorded a bilingual studio demo ‘’Inside’’ (2001) of her compositions in view of her next album.
From 2002 to 2008, she worked with artistic director Lysanne Gallant to perfect her stage performance.
Kate also took technical voice courses (2005-2006) with Mrs. Johanne Raby, professional voice coach and author of the book ‘’Chanter avec tout son corps’’ (‘’ Sing with your whole body’’).
Kate received two consecutive bursaries from Emploie Quebec's ''Jeunes Volontaires'' program to realize two career projects.
She is gifted with inspiration and she continues to write new songs in both English and French...
View Kate Morrison's EPK
Don't forget to visit Kate on her Official Web Site www.katemorrison.ca
where you can BUY her latest album ‘’KISS THE SKY'’
Or Buy Kate's albums at the following online stores :
Pure Tracks
http://www.puretracks.com ..
i Tunes
www.apple.com/itunes/ ..
Napster
http://www.napster.ca ..
Audio Lunch Box
www.audiolunchbox.com ..
Read a review about ‘’Kiss The Sky’’
Or listen to an interview with Kate...
CJMQ Radio 88.9FM
Visit Kate also at : CBC Radio 3

And at Poste D'Écoute