Kathryn Ballard Shut

ON STAGE: Professional, courteous, smiling, crowd-appropriate, engaging, clean, and respectful.
OFF STAGE: Punctual, business-savvy, experienced, communicative, friendly, and fair.

Specializing in Jazz artistry on the piano, sweet vocals, and fun clarinet, Kathryn's show is a trip through time, showcasing Big Band, classic jazz, swing, and Latin (Bossanovas, Sambas), of the past century, as well as modern tunes with a jazzy spin. Sure to be a delight for all ages, but mostly to those aged 40+.

KATHRYN BALLARD SHUT (pronounced /shoot/) is a professional jazz pianist, vocalist, and woodwind artist, from Denver, CO. She is the daughter of 2008 Kansas Music Hall of Fame soul honoree Tim Ballard, and grew up surrounded by both music lovers and working musicians.

Classically trained on the piano beginning at age 8, adding reeds at age 10, and embracing jazz theory by age 14, Kathryn has served as both pianist and woodwind "doubler" in big bands (clarinet/flute/saxes) as well as small combos for over 30 years. Most recently, she served as a prominent member of several jazz orchestras on both tenor sax and piano within The Colorado Jazz Workshop under the leadership of Hugh Ragin.

Throughout late (phone number hidden)8, Kathryn served as resident pianist for the jazz combo 'The Vern Neeley Vibe', and from (phone number hidden)2, together with late trumpeter Mike Evans, was co-founder of the popular Denver jazz combo, 'Lost Soul'. She has performed over the years as an emerging solo artist, while serving as a sideman with The Amy Kay Combo and The Sound, and performing in popular venues such as a sold-out show in the Dazzle dining room, a New Year's Eve show at Cool River Steakhouse, appearances at La Cour Bistro, and regularly in the Bernard Ballroom in the historic Arvada Tavern.

In addition to collaborating with jazz master and father, the late Tim Ballard, Kathryn has also worked closely with Latino film and music stars Daniel Valdez (of movies 'Zoot Suit' and 'La Bamba', and stage work 'The Westside Oratorio'), as well as with Denver jazz artists Vern Neeley, Jim Jamm Jimmy, Mark Diamond, Keith Oxman, Drew Morell, Hugh Ragin, Linda Theus-Lee, Mark Brostrom, Kevin MacInness, Jared Johnson, Jean-Luc Davis, and many other excellent artists.

Most recently, she was honored as an ASCAP-affiliated songwriter-publisher in tight collaboration with Italian master composer-brothers, Piero and Pippo Lombardo, composing and authoring several tracks on three of Camera Soul's hornline celebration albums, "Not For Ordinary People" (2013), "Dress Code" (2015), and "Connections" (2017). Kathryn is also a four-time Akademia Award winner with Camera Soul in achievements in both music and lyrics.

Kathryn keeps busy as president of Denver-based TIMKAT Entertainment, a record label and booking agency that focuses on promoting world-class, independent jazz, soul, and R&B talent for live performances, multimedia projects, and digital album sales online. She is also a former Voting Member ((phone number hidden)8) of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS/"Grammys").

For more information about TIMKAT Entertainment and/or Kathryn, please visit and follow the company's social media sites:

* Need at least a 7 x 7 space for solo show; double this space for duos.
* I will bring a portable piano (if needed), plus computer, all mics, PA system, stands, and instruments (including extra clarinet) as desired.
* Wireless microphone is also available for clients to use to make announcements, sing along, etc.