Not just another voice in the crowd, British-Australian jazz vocalist Hetty Kate is a masterful show-man and entertainer. Along with her ‘natural musicality’, effortless, clarion tone, and impeccable timing, itʼs Hetty’s cheeky wit that truly sets her apart, blending poise and humor with undeniable talent.
Born in England, raised in Australia and now based in Paris, Hetty fast made her mark on both the Australian and international jazz scenes, described as “the real deal” and “one of the world’s leading swing vocalists” (Will Friedwald, author and jazz critic, 2017) and has been touring internationally for almost two decades, gracing stages from New Zealand to New York.
Early in her career Hettyʼs approach to the music caught the attention of Australian jazz luminary James Morrison. Recognising her potential in 2012, he took her under his wing, extending an invitation to join his touring band, a tenure that lasted five years. Further showcasing her prowess, Hetty became the featured vocalist for Morrison’s award-winning symphonic concert, ʻThe A to Z of Jazzʼ. This toured across Asia, Europe, and Australasia with renowned orchestras, and yielded a live recording which won a coveted Australian Jazz Bell Award for ʻBest Traditional Albumʼ.
Hetty tours frequently around Europe, the UK, Asia and USA, and when in Australia performs at Australia’s premier jazz festivals and clubs, as well as major venues such as Melbourne Recital Centre and the Sydney Opera House. Festival credits include: New York Hot Jazz and New York Winter Jazz Festivals (USA), Malta International Jazz Festival, Sapporo International Jazz Festival (Japan), Prague Proms (Czech Republic), Cavill Leitch New Zealand International Jazz Festival, Mithra Jazz à Liege (Belgium), Ascona Jazz and Ernen Musikdorf Festivals (Switzerland), Otranto Jazz Festival (Italy) and many more.
In Australia Hetty has performed in the Melbourne and Perth International Jazz Festivals, Stonnington, Castlemaine and Wangaratta Jazz Festivals, Darwin Festival, in concert with pianist Simon Tedeschi, for Brisbane Festival’s Spiegeltent, Melbourne Recital Centre, the Arts Centre Melbourne’s High Tea series, and MONA (Hobart). In 2024, Hetty continued touring throughout Europe and London, returning to Asia with shows in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Shanghai, followed by an extensive coast-to-coast tour in Australia, with Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, Melbourne Recital Centre, Jazz At The Lounge at the Concourse (Sydney), as well as featuring as guest vocalist with James Morrison in his Duke Ellington Tribute at Perth Concert Hall, to standing ovations. In 2025, alongside a packed touring schedule across Europe, the UK and Asia in both leading jazz venues and festivals, Hetty will release the first album in her new ‘Jazz in Four Seasons’ project, returning to tour Australia in late spring.
Passionate and inspired, Hetty has ten acclaimed and diverse releases to her name. Her discography spans witty, toe-tapping swing to refined modern jazz, underscoring a talent that defies easy categorization. In person, Hettyʼs concerts have a warm touch, are infused with joy and a deep love for the audience, entertainment, the music itself and all of jazz history.
Gig Details:
Sunday 26th October 2025
$40 General Entry (+GST & BF)
$30 Concession Entry (+GST & BF)
Doors open from 7:30pm
Music starts at 8pm
10 Exhibition St, Bowen Hills
ALL AGES (people under 18 need to be accompanied by a guardian)
Head to our Humanitix to purchase limited seated tickets
How do I purchase a ticket?
Tickets are being sold through Humanitix. Purchase limited seated tickets here. Due to JMI Live being an intimate space, we have a maximum number of guests allowed in the venue. We highly recommend it is best to get in early before tickets sell out.
What is JMI Live?
JMI Live presents live jazz in Brisbane every Thursday night from 8pm and a jam session after each gig. JMI Live is renowned for its intimate setting, providing the best opportunity to listen to live jazz in Brisbane. Just like a jazz club in New York, this venue is the ideal location for great jazz music, acoustics and atmosphere.
Location
JMI Live is located at 10 Exhibition Street, Bowen Hills.
Ticket Refund Policy
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are unable to attend after having purchased a ticket, please contact the JMI office (07 3216 1110 or email play@jazz.qld.edu.au) as soon as possible during business hours (10AM-4PM) to let us know you won’t be able to attend. A full refund will be given if we are contacted prior to a performance. Refunds will not be processed if we are contacted after the gig.