Kat Edmonson

Take to the Sky (Convivium)

Kat Edmonson is a rare talent: A jazz singer whose voice transcends the standards. That allows the nine covers on the 25-year-old’s debut to develop a different hue with each reworking. The Austinite’s golden pipes landed her an audition on American Idol a few years ago, but here she comes into her own by resculpting classics such as Gershwin’s “Summertime,” which gets a delicate, almost somber walk-through. On the Cure’s lovesick “Just Like Heaven,” she becomes Doris Day, and her take on the Cardigans’ “Lovefool” makes you remember how catchy it was a decade go, even when reworked with bossa-nova flavor. Girl-group torch song “One Fine Day” smolders like a come-on. Edmonson made inspired picks that, when tuned up, are hopefully transcendent enough to help her step beyond the NPR crowd. (Sat., Elephant Room, 12:45am.)

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This article appears in March 20 • 2009.

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