Bio

Described by the Naperville Sun as a "double-talented" jazz bassist and jazz vocalist, Katie Ernst has impressed audiences nationwide with her multifaceted performances. At the 2011 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Katie was described as being "the surprise act of the night." Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle praised her for writing "interesting, thoughtful arrangements that really embody a full range of styles. She’s definitely a young artist who is on the rise."

Katie was one of 24 young artist/composers selected to participate in the 2013 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. As a vocalist, she won 2nd place in the 2012 Union League Civic & Arts Foundation's Jazz Improvisation Competition and she received a student Downbeat award in 2007. The Katie Ernst Trio has been featured at the Bucktown Arts Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Jazz Institute of Chicago's NextGenJazz series and Chicago Jazz Club Tour. Katie regularly performs with Corbin Andrick Sextet, the Ian Torres Big Band, and Laurenzi/Ernst/Green.

Katie graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY with a BM in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media in 2011. She attended school as a Rogers Scholar and studied double bass with Jeff Campbell and James VanDemark. In her time at Eastman, Katie completed Arts Leadership Program internships at Jazz 90.1 and Pegasus Early Music. Katie's honors include the Susan B. Anthony Women's Leadership Scholarship, Keidaen Senior Honor Society, and the Paychex/UR Leadership Institute.