Biography

Kat Danser throws down an acoustic fusion of funky, laidback rhythms and thought provoking lyrical poetry. Her ‘Swamp Blues’ style is delivered on the waves of her deep, resonant vocals and the soulful voice of her Weissenborn lap slide guitar. She is one part backwoods juke joint, one part plow puller and two parts dusty ol’ canvas tent revival. Kat serves up a refreshing and original approach to roots, blues and gospel music in the 21st Century.

Kat is a Western Canadian Award nominated artist for Outstanding Blues Recording basedst, based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Early in 2007, she released her second full-length album entitled, Somethin’ Familiar, filled to the brim with eleven new roots, blues and gospel originals. This critically acclaimed album is a richly textured exploration of ‘sin and salvation’ featuring west coast guitar maniac Steve Dawson (Zubot & Dawson) and the legendary Linda Tillery. With the help of Festival Distribution, Somethin’ Familiar is reaching an international audience and has been a steady presence on radio charts across Canada since its release.

Constantly answering the creative call and committing to her artistic development, Kat has made connections with a host of musicians worldwide. Canadian icon Rita MacNeil and legendary bluesman Eric Bibb have stepped forward to mentor this rising artist. Kat has shared the stage with Martin Simpson, Roy Forbes, Mary Gautier, Ellen McIlwaine, Ruthie Foster, Harry Manx, Chubby Carrier, David Gogo, Linda Tillery, Penny Lang and Sue Foley. She has also headlined folk clubs throughout western Canada and has logged stellar performances at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Island MusicFest and the Tucson Music Festival. Kat has received feature interviews and reviews through news and radio media across Canada and around the world. She was recently honored in a feature presentation by Global TV Vancouver entitled Blues Women in Canada.

Born in Saskatchewan, Canada on November 25, 1967, to the sound of her mother playing the autoharp, Kat came into this world to create music! Her Polish Catholic family instilled a strong work ethic and the importance of expression through song early in Kat’s life. Some of her earliest memories are of helping her mother knead bread while Patsy Clines’ or Hank Williams’ voice spun off the reel-to-reel tape player.

At the age of 5, Kat’s Uncle Howie, a local musician, gave her a button accordion, her first musical instrument. Long nights were spent sitting around the table playing music while a neighbor taught Kat Acadian rhythms on the spoons. It was apparent to family and friends that she possessed a natural talent whether performing at school concerts or singing in the church choir. Soon Kat began imitating some of the powerful vocalists of the day including Emmylou Harris and Martha Carson.

It wasn’t until her late 20’s, after completing a degree in Social Work from the University of Regina, that Kat’s musical potential was awakened when she heard Bessie Smith singing “T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness”. That moment continues to inspire Kat’s creative expression.

Currently, Kat’s traveling companions are her Vintage Gibson LG2 (1947-51), National Estralita Resophonic, Weissenborn Hawaiian guitar and a Menzies Tackhead Gitjo. She continues to be inspired by Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Mahalia Jackson, Ben Harper, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Elizabeth Cotton, Joseph Spence, Gillian Welch, Corey Harris and Lucinda Williams.