KATIE THIROUX | BASS

DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN JAZZ | MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL


Liz Welden-Smith - Thiroux Press Photo_2.jpeg

A triple threat talent, Katie Thiroux has garnered considerable attention for her bravura bass playing, assured singing and compelling compositions. Her most recent album, “Off Beat,” from Grammy nominated label, Capri Records, collected rave reviews and was awarded a “Best Album Of 2017” by Downbeat Magazine and is featured on Emirates Airlines. With the release of her debut album, "Introducing Katie Thiroux" (2015), her substantial gifts as a bandleader and recording artist came center stage. Audiences and critics agree as the release received many awards including "Debut Record of the Year" from the Huffington Post, All About Jazz, Jazz Journalists Association and "Top 5 Debut Records of the Year" from NPR Jazz Critics Poll. Other accolades include being a 2015 semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition, featured on WBGO’s “The Checkout,” Downbeat Magazine “Player Profile” and NPR feature.

With a long list of accolades that looks like a seasoned veteran, the 30 year artist is full steam ahead with a busy international touring schedule and new projects in the works. Lending contemporary flair to mainstream stylings, Thiroux carries on the hard swinging tradition of such bass masters as Ray Brown and John Clayton, while channeling the buoyant vocal finesse of iconic singers including Anita O’Day, Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald. Thiroux offers in-the-moment jazz that draws upon the rich history of the music, from swing to bebop and beyond. Thiroux’s unique gift of simultaneously balancing sultry vocals and virtuosic bass playing leaves audiences worldwide in awe. In the words of music icon Quincy Jones, “This girl is IT!”​

"Genuine artists like this don't come along everyday, so take note" - All About Jazz​
"Move over bassists who can sing, Katie Thiroux is here, swinging relentlessly. Soon, her unbridled ingenuity in both aspects of performance might be legendary." - Raul da Gama

Coming from a musical family in Los Angeles, she was surrounded by music; beginning with violin lessons at age 4 then switching to the acoustic bass at age 8. While continuing her studies on bass, Katie explored both jazz and classical vocal styles; landing principal roles in the LA Opera and Opera Pacifica by the age of 10. Captivated by an early recording of Lionel Hampton, Katie was driven to pursue her love for jazz and began studying privately with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton at the age of 12. In 2005 Thiroux began a mentorship with John Clayton that started at the Vail Jazz Party and later that year she received the Los Angeles Jazz Society award, "Shelly Manne New Talent." In 2006 was awarded the Phil Ramone Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of music which included full tuition and room and board. Upon graduation, Thiroux was asked to teach at the Berklee International School in Ecuador, Quito. She returned to her native Los Angeles and completed a Masters of Jazz Bass from California State University of Long Beach on full scholarship.

In addition to work with her quartet, Thiroux was an active member of the Larry Fuller Trio and has has been heard with, among others, pianists Justin Kauflin, Bill Cunliffe, Geri Allen, Helen Sung, Tamir Hendelman and Eric Reed, trumpeters Brian Lynch and Terrell Stafford, saxophonists Jeff Clayton, Charles McPhearson and Ken Peplowski, guitarists Mundell Lowe and Larry Koonse, drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, Lewis Nash and Jeff Hamilton, and vocalists Patti Austin, Niki Harris and Tierney Sutton. Having performed at jazz festivals in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Finland, Serbia, Singapore and Switzerland as both a leader and a sideman, Thiroux often incorporates workshops for students and audiences. It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving. Katie’s swinging bass, clear vocals and inspired instrumental arrangements are reflective of her musical idols both past and present. Katie Thiroux’s knowledge, perseverance and fervor for the music make her a rising star in today’s scene. Thiroux is thankful for the mentorship she received growing up and now while on tour, she incorporates workshops for students and audiences . It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving.