Biography
Katie Bull performs as a jazz vocalist rooted in New York City, incorporating a diverse array of stylistic elements into her work. Her approach draws from the restrained delivery associated with Cool School singers like Helen Merrill and June Christy, while also incorporating the intellectual depth found in the styles of Sheila Jordan, Jeanne Lee, and Betty Carter. Traces of Ella Fitzgerald occasionally surface in her delivery. These combined sources produce a distinct performer whose abilities stand on their own merits, whether delivering scat vocals or rendering composed words with sensitivity. Her expressiveness ranges from detached abstraction to intimate openness, varying with her emotional state.
Originating from an artistic household, Bull’s father was the late Richard Bull, a jazz pianist originally from Detroit. After relocating to New York City, he collaborated with Lennie Tristano prior to shifting focus toward choreography and contemporary dance. Her stepmother, the late Cynthia Novack, similarly pursued work as a choreographer and modern dancer. Born in New York City, Bull has resided primarily in that metropolis, spending her formative years in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village and Tribeca neighborhoods. Since no later than 1994, she has worked as a vocal coach while leading the inter-arts organization known as the Bull Family Orchestra, which encompasses both vocal performance and modern dance activities. Her debut recording, Conversations with the Jokers, took place in 2001 and appeared via the independent Corn Hill Indie label, a modest New York operation, during March 2003.
Originating from an artistic household, Bull’s father was the late Richard Bull, a jazz pianist originally from Detroit. After relocating to New York City, he collaborated with Lennie Tristano prior to shifting focus toward choreography and contemporary dance. Her stepmother, the late Cynthia Novack, similarly pursued work as a choreographer and modern dancer. Born in New York City, Bull has resided primarily in that metropolis, spending her formative years in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village and Tribeca neighborhoods. Since no later than 1994, she has worked as a vocal coach while leading the inter-arts organization known as the Bull Family Orchestra, which encompasses both vocal performance and modern dance activities. Her debut recording, Conversations with the Jokers, took place in 2001 and appeared via the independent Corn Hill Indie label, a modest New York operation, during March 2003.
Albums
