In March 2009, her self-released debut album, Take to the Sky, reached the Top 20 on the Billboard magazine jazz chart. Way Down Low was released in 2012, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Her third album, The Big Picture, was released on September 30, 2014.
"You see a show like the one Kat Edmonson put on Tuesday night at Scullers, and you wonder what the heck people are doing at Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry concerts. Really, the world is unjust... Edmonson, a petite singer from Austin, Texas, is at once a throwback and a pioneer. Her intimate vocal style and stage presence recall the heyday of jazz
- she has the expressiveness of Billie Holiday, the elegance of Ella Fitzgerald, and the voice of Blossom Dearie. Yet she doesn't merely retread standards. Sure, she likes her Cole Porter, but she and her pianist/arranger, Kevin Lovejoy, molded and modernized chestnuts like "Just One of Those Things," "Night and Day," and "It's All Right With Me" into entirely fresh tunes with new harmonies, inventive rhythm structures, and sometimes mysterious undertones.
Edmonson has grown quite comfortable inside these songs, taking even more liberties with them than she did on her recent CD, Take to the Sky, which stands among the best records of 2009. Like Holiday, Edmonson likes to sing just behind the beat, which infuses her demure voice with drama and heartbreak.
Kat Edmonson is a great jazz singer.
Summertime
Kat Edmonson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your mama's good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornings you're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings and take to the sky
Till that morning there's nothing can harm you
One of these mornings you're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings and take to the sky
Till that morning there's nothing can harm you
So hush little baby, don't you cry
Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Leaves drifting by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
It's a new life and I'm feeling good
The song "Summertime" by Kat Edmonson is a heartfelt interpretation of the classic hit from George Gershwin. The lyrics paint the picture of a peaceful and joyful summer day, where the fish are jumping and the cotton is high. The singer addresses a child, assuring them that they need not worry as they have rich and good-looking parents who will always stand by them. The second verse continues the theme of hope and optimism, assuring the child that they will one day soar like a bird and take on the world.
The third verse of the song strengthens the message of positivity and happiness in the face of life's challenges. The singer compares the joys of life to the feeling of being surrounded by beauty, like the birds in the sky and the leaves drifting by. The final lines "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life and I'm feeling good" emphasise the idea that each day is a fresh start and should be seen as an opportunity to embrace life with joy and enthusiasm. Overall, the song is a comforting and uplifting message of hope that resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime and the living is easy
The time of summer is here and life feels simple and effortless
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
Nature and the environment are abundant with life and growth
Oh, your daddy's rich and your mama's good looking
You come from a privileged and attractive family background
So hush little baby, don't you cry
You have no reason to worry or be upset, just relax and enjoy
One of these mornings you're going to rise up singing
There will come a day when you feel happy and inspired to express it
Then you'll spread your wings and take to the sky
You will feel free and joyful, ready to explore new horizons
Till that morning there's nothing can harm you
Until that day, you are protected and safe from any harm or trouble
With daddy and mama standing by
Your parents will be there to support and encourage you in your endeavors
Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Seeing birds soaring through the sky evokes a feeling of freedom and joy
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Feeling the warmth and brightness of the sun brings a positive emotion
Leaves drifting by, you know how I feel
Watching leaves slowly falling and moving with the breeze creates a sense of peace
It's a new dawn, it's a new day
A new beginning, a fresh start with endless possibilities
It's a new life and I'm feeling good
Looking forward to the future with a positive attitude and emotional well-being
Contributed by Anna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.