Biography
Kathleen Saadat established herself as a vocalist and political activist after decades of championing causes for marginalized communities. She first gained attention in Portland, Oregon during the 1970s through her roles as a public servant and civil rights advocate. In 1987 she took on the post of Oregon's affirmative action director and devoted the majority of her professional life to supporting the LGBTQ community along with women, people of color, and those living in poverty. Although she had always enjoyed music, Saadat gave no serious thought to a performing career until her colleague Thomas Lauderdale, founder of Pink Martini, urged her to perform alongside him. Their collaboration led to her 2016 debut standards album, Love for Sale, issued when she was 77.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Saadat resided in Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, before receiving her psychology degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1974. During the following three decades she developed a solid standing as a social and political activist. After her 1987 appointment as Oregon's affirmative action director, she held additional positions including assistant to the Portland City Commissioner, diversity director for Cascade AIDS Project, and diversity development and affirmative action manager for the city of Portland. The Portland Human Rights Commission presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. During this period she formed a friendship with Pink Martini founder Thomas Lauderdale, whom she met while both were employed by the Portland City Commissioner. Though never formally trained as a vocalist, Saadat frequently performed jazz standards informally with Lauderdale. She appeared as a guest on Pink Martini's Je Dis Oui! in 2016 and subsequently worked with Lauderdale and the group on her own project. In 2018, at age 77, Saadat released her debut album, the Lauderdale-produced Love for Sale.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Saadat resided in Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, before receiving her psychology degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1974. During the following three decades she developed a solid standing as a social and political activist. After her 1987 appointment as Oregon's affirmative action director, she held additional positions including assistant to the Portland City Commissioner, diversity director for Cascade AIDS Project, and diversity development and affirmative action manager for the city of Portland. The Portland Human Rights Commission presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. During this period she formed a friendship with Pink Martini founder Thomas Lauderdale, whom she met while both were employed by the Portland City Commissioner. Though never formally trained as a vocalist, Saadat frequently performed jazz standards informally with Lauderdale. She appeared as a guest on Pink Martini's Je Dis Oui! in 2016 and subsequently worked with Lauderdale and the group on her own project. In 2018, at age 77, Saadat released her debut album, the Lauderdale-produced Love for Sale.
Albums