KATRINA CHESTER

Katrina Chester is ready. This incredible performer's entire life has been a musical journey that has led to this moment in time, when all the facets of her talent shine in a brilliant solo career -- and this is just the start. Calm before the storm, shall we say!

Katrina Chester's fans are ready. Her already sizable and quickly-growing following has been waiting in sweet anticipation of the inevitable day when her name becomes a household word.

Katrina's new self-titled EP was ready until it was sold out 2 months after release. A tantalizing glimpse of her forthcoming album, it's a sultry and intoxicating blend of Neo-Soul, R&B, and Funk, all tinged with the distinctive vocal intensity that critics have called "hypnotic, yet accessible." Says Katrina, "I couldn't have imagined the response to be as positive and excited as it has been. Industry-wise, I think the material's refreshing. And with Joss Stone breaking the Neo-Soul market for a lot of us, it's bringing an old form of R&B/Soul back to the forefront, with a new twist."

Katrina penned the tunes with help from such songwriting luminaries as Daryl Pediford (Kool & The Gang), Marty Fredrickson (Faith Hill, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne), and John Margolis of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And her band is no less impressive, headed by co-writer/producer Ian Hatton, guitarist for Bonham, Paul Rogers, and Robert Plant's Honey Drippers. Drum chores are handled by Fuel and formerly Godsmack's Tommy Stewart, and Rob Clores (Enrique Inglesias) plays keys. Bass is played by the talented German bass player Oliver Hofer.

Daughter of the legendary session drummer Gary Chester, Katrina's creative odyssey began in the most musical of environments. "I still can't believe it, as I look back, at some of the people that had been very regularly at my home when I was a kid: Jim Croce, Patti LaBelle, Burt Bacharach," Katrina remembers, "Some of the great R&B and Soul legends were my father's colleagues and personal friends. All of those experiences together helped me find my passion." That passion extends to singing, music management and PR -- an area where Katrina is making some great headway. With over 15 years in making records, touring, organizing, putting out fires and starting them (Peter Grant is her muse from above of course), she is unleashing a whole other side of her that we all have always known was there.

To quench her passion for performing, Katrina began fronting bands at age 12. At a young age, she took advantage of the vibrant New York music scene and unleashed her original music when most kids were worried about passing their driver's test. Playing all-original music, her band Luxx did 300 dates a year for three years across the USA and overseas. Katrina's powerful voice and tornado-like intensity drove Luxx's sound, garnering them opening slots for Godsmack, 3 Doors Down, Fuel, and Saliva and many more.

Katrina has recorded extensively as well, and has the platinum albums to prove it. In addition to three albums with Luxx (BMG), she performed her own brand of vocal magic on Godsmack's triple platinum album Awake (Universal/Republic), as well as two double-platinum recordings with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Atlantic Records), also appearing as featured vocalist on two TSO national tours. In early 2002, Katrina won the lead role in "Love, Janis," the smash off-Broadway musical about the life of Janis Joplin. Critical acclaim was immediate and unanimous. The "Love, Janis" producers even decided to give Katrina her own "Saturday Night Late Show," with creative freedom. The resulting notoriety won her appearances on The Howard Stern Show, WB Morning News, and on Radio Q104.3. In many ways, "Janis" brought Katrina home, paving the way for the material she would write for her burgeoning solo career. The timing seems right now for her particular blend of Neo-Soul, R&B, Blues, and Funk, with a flavor and trademark all her own. "I would leave the show so inspired, I just kept writing!" she remarked. Katrina has continued to land other notable acting roles, including an appearance on the final season of the HBO smash Sex and the City.

Perhaps the most exciting new development in Katrina's already impressive career is her landing the role of Janis Joplin in the national tour of the off-Broadway show "Love Janis." Already a veteran of the off-Broadway  run in NYC, Katrina was actually chosen by the producers as the best vocalist to play the role. Janis left behind some hard shoes to fill, and Katrina has risen to the top of the heap, winning the chance to portray this American icon in the very first national tour of this smash hit. Presented jointly by the Joplin family estate and Tony-nominated director Randy Myler, the "Love Janis" tour went to Louisville, Kentucky on August 18th 2005, and then to Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio. That branch of the tour ended on March 2006. Katrina was then asked to come help launch Love, Janis in Janis's second home, San Francisco, CA! The show launched at Marines Memorial Theater on Sutter Street on July 18th 2006 and was extremely well-received. Katrina then proceeded to Houston, Texas launching Love, Janis to the Texans at The acclaimed Alley Theater!

Yes, Katrina Chester is ready. And the world is ready to embrace her unique contribution to the ever-evolving genre of Soul in all its popular forms and flavors. Addictive. Intoxicating. Exhilarating. Don't say we didn't warn you.