Katrina Chester Bio

Katrina Chester’s fans are ready. Her already sizeable and quickly growing following has been waiting in sweet anticipation of the inevitable day when her name becomes a household word.

Katrina’s new self-titled EP is ready. A tantalizing glimpse of her forthcoming album, it’s a sultry and intoxicating blend of Neo-Soul, R&B, and Funk, all tinged with the distinctive vocal intensity that critics have called “hypnotic, yet accessible”. Says Katrina, “I couldn’t have imagined the response to be as positive and excited as it has been. Industry-wise, I think the material’s refreshing. And with Joss Stone breaking the Neo-Soul market for a lot of us, it’s bringing an old form of R&B/Soul back to the forefront, with a new twist”.

Katrina penned the tunes with help from such songwriting luminaries as Daryl Pediford (Kool & The Gang), Marty Fredrickson (Faith Hill, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne), and John Margolis of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And her band is no less impressive, headed by co-writer/producer Ian Hatton, guitarist for Bonham, Paul Rogers, and Robert Plant's Honey Drippers. Drum chores are handled by Godsmack’s Tommy Stewart, and Rob Clores (Enrique Inglesias) plays keys. Bass is played by the talented German bass player Oliver Hofer.

Daughter of the legendary session drummer Gary Chester, Katrina’s creative odyssey began in the most musical of environments. "I still can't believe it, as I look back, at some of the people that had been very regularly at my home when I was a kid: Jim Croce, Patti LaBelle, Burt Bacharach," Katrina remembers, "Some of the great R&B and Soul legends were my father's colleagues and personal friends.”

To quench her passion for performing, Katrina began fronting bands at age 12. At a young age she took advantage of the vibrant New York music scene and unleashed her original music when most kids were worried about passing their driver's test. Playing all-original music, her band Luxx did 300 dates a year for three years across the USA and overseas. Katrina's powerful voice and tornado-like intensity drove Luxx's sound, garnering them opening slots for Godsmack, 3 Doors Down, Fuel, and Saliva.

Katrina has recorded extensively as well, and has the platinum albums to prove it. In addition to three albums with Luxx (BMG), she performed her own brand of vocal magic on Godsmack's double platinum album Awake (Universal/Republic), as well as two double-platinum recordings with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Atlantic Records), also appearing as featured vocalist on two TSO national tours. In early 2002, Katrina won the lead role in "Love, Janis", the smash Off-Broadway musical about the life of Janis Joplin. Critical acclaim was immediate and unanimous. The "Love, Janis" producers even decided to give Katrina her own "Saturday Night Late Show," with creative freedom.

The resulting notoriety won her appearances on The Howard Stern Show, WB Morning News, and on Radio Q104.3. In many ways, "Janis" brought Katrina home, paving the way for the material she would write for her burgeoning solo career. The timing seems right now for her particular blend of Neo-Soul, R&B, Blues, and Funk; with a flavor and trademark all her own. "I would leave the show so inspired, I just kept writing!" she remarked. Katrina has continued to land other notable acting roles, most recently on the final season of the HBO smash Sex and the City. Yes, Katrina Chester is ready. And the world is ready to embrace her unique contribution to the ever evolving genre of Soul in all its popular forms and flavors. Addictive. Intoxicating. Exhilarating. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.