Biography
During the 1990s and early years of the following century, Chicago ranked Kirsten Gustafson among its stronger jazz vocalists. An early desire to perform as a singer never led her to formal lessons. She took up French horn during her school years and completed a degree in German language and culture at Northern Michigan University. From the 1970s onward her voice appeared across an array of ensembles that ranged from rock bands to assorted jazz groups. The 1992 Atlantic release You Taught My Heart to Sing marked her debut jazz album, issued the same year she appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival, though no follow-up project appeared immediately. In 1994 she contributed vocals to the Latin ensemble Samba Bamba. Subsequent activity included a privately issued second CD titled Live at Montreux in 2000, work on voice-overs and jingles, tours alongside the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and performances with arranger Frank Mantooth and violinist Johnny Frigo. She has also maintained a steady schedule of appearances in Paris.
Albums