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BIO

Katherine Farnham

When jazz/pop singer/songwriter/pianist Katherine Farnham was four years old and upset or sick, her mother would say, "Sing! Sing!" and would sing with her to distract her. "Music took me to a place where pain and suffering disappeared; a colorful place where thoughts were real and dreams were God's way of speaking to me. My mission as an artist today is to take the listener on a journey through all facets of the human experience: love, passion, family, friendship, cultural themes, spirituality, mythology. It's a journey of joy, non-judgment, love, healing." As Northeast Performer Magazine expressed in a live review, Katherine's talent needs to be heard and recognized: "a complete and gifted talent. Her listeners gazed in silenced admiration and perhaps awe."

Early Years

Katherine grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania surrounded by music. Her parents were professional musicians and her mother was her first piano teacher. Katherine first sang in public at age 5 and soon afterwards knew her calling. "My mom taught me piano, how to interpret a song, and how to present myself on stage. It was a challenge sometimes, but it was a very special relationship." Katherine's influences were Beethoven, Chopin, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Brightman, Seal, Mariah, Sarah McLachlan, Ray Charles and Lady T.

Katherine went pro at 14, singing and playing for local events. An honors student, she also won the leading role in her junior high school musical. Soon afterwards, Betty Farnham insisted on her daughter's making a demo tape of her piano playing to send to the international Tanglewood Institute. "I was home sick with the flu. Suddenly my mom appeared at the foot of my bed and told me to get up and come to the piano. I looked at her in complete shock. I thought she was out of her mind. I didn't want to do it!" Her mother's vigilance paid off, and two months later Katherine had received a scholarship to the Young Artists Piano Program. "I was to be one of 32 pianists from around the world to study for a summer near Boston. I couldn't believe it."

Berklee: The Birth of A Mermaid

After rejecting the confining atmosphere of the conservatory, Katherine found the freedom to explore her artistic voice at Boston's acclaimed Berklee College of Music. Soloing with The Gospel Choir, forming her own band and graduating with highest honors was no small task. Katherine took it in stride and also won Berklee's Performer/Songwriter Competition with "The Silent Glass", her heart-wrenching song about alcoholism. Her modest demo-tape-turned EP was released to a full house at Boston's Hard Rock Cafe. Featuring sensual photographs and Katherine's unique blend of pop, jazz and R&B, it garnered several CMJ charts, international radio airplay and a proclamation by a MIDEM journalist that she just might be "The New Voice of America".

Katherine's image is an uncanny blend of beautiful woman, seductress and best friend. Her down-to-earth approach and genuine caring for people radiates from her lyrics in "Mother Earth", "Don't You Feel the Pain", "Peace on Earth" and "Mosaic." Fans and friends are inspired by her inner strength and ability to overcome obstacles to be a consistent artistic force. "Loneliness has been a constant theme throughout my life. With no siblings, I got all the attention but had to learn to cope with always being alone. Music became my friend, and I discovered its tremendous healing power. The same way a mermaid is most comfortable in the water, I feel most comfortable when I'm creating music."

Music as Cultural Bridge: Miami's Theme Song of Unity

This strength was put to good use as Katherine ventured forth to bridge inter-culture barriers during Miami's Elian Gonzalez crisis. Her song "Mosaic", found its way to the ears of Mayor Alex Penelas and other officials who had begun to launch Miami's Mosaic Initiative. Katherine joined business, government and religious leaders from all over the state in the heart-felt quest to reach out and find common ground. After hundreds rose to give her a standing ovation at the Mayor's Mosaic Convention, it became clear that this Midwestern Anglo girl had presented them with Miami's long-awaited Theme Song. With the support of sponsors, Katherine was able to record and co-produce English and Spanish versions of the song. She performed it live on NBC 6, at the AT&T Amphitheatre, at the Miami Marathon with Tito Puente Jr. and MusicFest Miami with the legendary Celia Cruz.

Heading West

In like style, Katherine recently packed her bags and master tapes and journeyed 3000 miles to make her new home in Los Angeles. She is enjoying a lighter phase, and a collection of new songs: "Panther Man", "Made for Lovin", "Inside the Music", "Apex" "Blue Haze" and "Round the World in a Jukebox". She has assembled a band featuring the multi-talented Jason Lingle on drums/percussion/guitar and Dana Decker on bass (Sheryl Crow). Also during her West Coast transition, Katherine re-united with ex-boyfriend and producer Gary Bosko for a musical collaboration. He asked Katherine to lend her vocal and dramatic talents to "Speak Softly", a track written by Bosko and arranged by Doug Emery (Barbra Streisand "Guilty Pleasures".) The song had been signed to a major label, but the original female singer had left the project and moved out of the country. Katherine delved into her emotional palette and the result is stunning. Their collaboration also included a new version of Katherine's song "My Shoes Are Leaking" and the upbeat hip-hop influenced "Chemistry".

Future Sounds

In April 2007, Katherine decided to submit some of her new tracks via My Space to the panel of Inside the Music Business. She was chosen out of 60+ artists to perform for their industry showcase. Her live performance is scheduled to be on the national DVD release currently in production, featuring host Eric Kline and Adam Gaynor of the band Matchbox 20. "This was a great learning experience for me. I met some great people and had a blast. Adam told me I was a fabulous live performer with a 'real command of the stage'".

What's next for Katherine? With almost 300 original songs and rave reviews from critics in three languages one might think she has a few options. "I hate to do things one way or another way. I would love to bridge the old music industry approach with the new digital approach and do something creative. I would love to work with some of the legendary producers and craft a beautiful, thought-provoking album. And maybe perform on Broadway. Or both."

QUOTES

"..the best live performer there..a real command of the stage.."
--A Gaynor, Matchbox 20

"I applaud you and The Mosaic Project in the efforts to unify all through a cultural endeavor. I wish you the best of luck.."
--N.C., National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences

"...very artsy Sarah McLachlan, only Farnham may quite possibly have a better set of pipes than the pop diva."
--The Clarion Call, PA

"...amazing vocal and songwriting abilities. Farnham is young, driven and destined for success."
--Entertainment News & Views, FL

"Her blend of pop, jazz and R&B make for a very smooth-sounding and enjoyable musical experience. The CD [For The Love Of It All] left me wanting to hear more."
--The Sun Sentinel, FL

"I've worked with many artists and Katherine Farnham is a stand-out. Her time is due."
-- Dennis Hetzendorfer, recording engineer for Barbra Streisand, Gloria Estefan, The Bee Gees,
Dolly Parton and others.

Farnham & Farnham Music: (818) 392-7635, (305) 609-SING
www.myspace.com/katherinefarnham

Early Years
	Katherine grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania surrounded by music. Her parents were professional musicians and her mother was her first piano teacher. Katherine first sang in public at age 5 and soon afterwards knew her calling. "My mom taught me piano, how to interpret a song, and how to present myself on stage. It was a challenge sometimes, but it was a very special relationship." Katherine's influences were Beethoven, Chopin, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Brightman, Seal, Mariah, Sarah McLachlan, Ray Charles and Lady T. Katherine went pro at 14, singing and playing for local events. An honors student, she also won the leading role in her junior high school musical. Soon afterwards, Betty Farnham insisted on her daughter's making a demo tape of her piano playing to send to the international Tanglewood Institute. "I was home sick with the flu. Suddenly my mom appeared at the foot of my bed and told me to get up and come to the piano. I looked at her in complete shock. I thought she was out of her mind. I didn't want to do it!" Her mother's vigilance paid off, and two months later Katherine had received a scholarship to the Young Artists Piano Program. "I was to be one of 32 pianists from around the world to study for a summer near Boston. I couldn't believe it."
Berklee: The Birth of A Mermaid
	After rejecting the confining atmosphere of the conservatory, Katherine found the freedom to explore her artistic voice at Boston's acclaimed Berklee College of Music. Soloing with The Gospel Choir, forming her own band and graduating with highest honors was no small task. Katherine took it in stride and also won Berklee's Performer/Songwriter Competition with "The Silent Glass", her heart-wrenching song about alcoholism. Her modest demo-tape-turned EP was released to a full house at Boston's Hard Rock Cafe. Featuring sensual photographs and Katherine's unique blend of pop, jazz and R&B, it garnered several CMJ charts, international radio airplay and a proclamation by a MIDEM journalist that she just might be "The New Voice of America". Katherine's image is an uncanny blend of beautiful woman, seductress and best friend. Her down-to-earth approach and genuine caring for people radiates from her lyrics in "Mother Earth", "Don't You Feel the Pain", "Peace on Earth" and "Mosaic." Fans and friends are inspired by her inner strength and ability to overcome obstacles to be a consistent artistic force. "Loneliness has been a constant theme throughout my life. With no siblings, I got all the attention but had to learn to cope with always being alone. Music became my friend, and I discovered its tremendous healing power. The same way a mermaid is most comfortable in the water, I feel most comfortable when I'm creating music."
Music as Cultural Bridge: Miami's Theme Song of Unity
	This strength was put to good use as Katherine ventured forth to bridge inter-culture barriers during Miami's Elian Gonzalez crisis. Her song "Mosaic", found its way to the ears of Mayor Alex Penelas and other officials who had begun to launch Miami's Mosaic Initiative. Katherine joined business, government and religious leaders from all over the state in the heart-felt quest to reach out and find common ground. After hundreds rose to give her a standing ovation at the Mayor's Mosaic Convention, it became clear that this Midwestern Anglo girl had presented them with Miami's long-awaited Theme Song. With the support of sponsors, Katherine was able to record and co-produce English and Spanish versions of the song. She performed it live on NBC 6, at the AT&T Amphitheatre, at the Miami Marathon with Tito Puente Jr. and MusicFest Miami with the legendary Celia Cruz.
Heading West
	In like style, Katherine recently packed her bags and master tapes and journeyed 3000 miles to make her new home in Los Angeles. She is enjoying a lighter phase, and a collection of new songs: "Panther Man", "Made for Lovin", "Inside the Music", "Apex" "Blue Haze" and "Round the World in a Jukebox". She has assembled a band featuring the multi-talented Jason Lingle on drums/percussion/guitar and Dana Decker on bass (Sheryl Crow). Also during her West Coast transition, Katherine re-united with ex-boyfriend and producer Gary Bosko for a musical collaboration. He asked Katherine to lend her vocal and dramatic talents to "Speak Softly", a track written by Bosko and arranged by Doug Emery (Barbra Streisand "Guilty Pleasures".) The song had been signed to a major label, but the original female singer had left the project and moved out of the country. Katherine delved into her emotional palette and the result is stunning. Their collaboration also included a new version of Katherine's song "My Shoes Are Leaking" and the upbeat hip-hop influenced "Chemistry".
Future Sounds
	In April 2007, Katherine decided to submit some of her new tracks via My Space to the panel of Inside the Music Business. She was chosen out of 60+ artists to perform for their industry showcase. Her live performance is scheduled to be on the national DVD release currently in production, featuring host Eric Kline and Adam Gaynor of the band Matchbox 20. "This was a great learning experience for me. I met some great people and had a blast. Adam told me I was a fabulous live performer with a 'real command of the stage'". What's next for Katherine? With almost 300 original songs and rave reviews from critics in three languages one might think she has a few options. "I hate to do things one way or another way. I would love to bridge the old music industry approach with the new digital approach and do something creative. I would love to work with some of the legendary producers and craft a beautiful, thought-provoking album. And maybe perform on Broadway. Or both."