A few words about Kaitlin McGaw...
East coast bred, Harvard graduate Kaitlin McGaw struck gold in San Francisco when she moved west, ditched all rationality, and pursued what really made her happy: music.
A graduate in African-American studies, she had intended to dive into the scene and continue her efforts in social change and nonprofit development. It was after her second false start in the 9-5 world that she realized that she could no longer put a job ahead of singing and performing.
Fast forward to 2009, and Kaitlin has released two critically acclaimed and award-winning albums, collaborated/worked with musicians and professionals tied to GRAMMY-winning jazz, hard rock and rap recordings, brought audiences to tears and laughter coast-to-coast, and become a integral part of the San Francisco music scene. Oh. And she once spoke to Aretha Franklin on the phone.
What makes this singer stand out is her power and soulfulness in each song, and her depth of performance. Able to escalate from a low whisper to a wail in the same breath, her vocal performance has drawn comparison to Rickie Lee Jones, Cowboy Junkies, and Liz Phair. “With Kaitlin McGaw’s mesmerizing, big, soulful voice… The Simple Things music is at once intimate and powerful.” Nick Phillips - Vice President of Jazz, Catalog and A&R at Concord Music Group
On her debut release The Simple Things, Kaitlin worked with vocal producer Raz Kennedy (Metallica, Counting Crows) to create a delicate collection of bittersweet, modern songs that feature her vocals with jazz piano and electric bass. The Simple Things has been featured by podcasters, local radio, and has garnered a “Best Performance” nod in the West Coast Songwriters competition. Meanwhile, Kaitlin released a multi-award winning album of R&B, reggae, funk and hip-hop songs…for kids. Collaborating with musicians/producers from 4 Non Blondes, Marian McPartland, Ludacris, and Matt Nathanson, Kaitlin showcases her rap styling, songwriting prowess, humor, and love for kids on Alphabet Rockers. The music continues to land on the top 10 lists of kiddie tastemakers nationwide and draws record crowds. It's an appropriate milestone for Kaitlin, since her first taste of performance was onstage at age four, when she joined children’s music performers RosenShontz onstage... of her own volition.
Now as for Aretha: Kaitlin has helped program events for GRAMMY membership in San Francisco. Along the way she has shared a moment with notable folks such as Aretha, Dave Brubeck, Steve Miller, Kara Dioguardi, and M.I.A., and has found that regardless of notoriety, genre, or background, every musician is tied to one another – all in the path of expression and joyful noise. Whether singing songs of love & loss to an older, intimate crowd, stomping in high heels to a dirty funk tune, or laughing and singing to kids and families, Kaitlin touches people’s hearts and minds. She brings her intellect, love of humanity, and soulful humor to every show; and it’s powerful.