Multi ARIA award winning artist, Kate Ceberano, has been in the business for more than 35 years - writing and performing both jazz and pop music - with seven platinum and seven gold albums to her name.
Ceberano first came to prominence in the mid-80's as a 15-year-old sensation fronting pop funk band, I'm Talking. Five consecutive hit singles and a platinum debut album, Bear Witness, led to a swag of awards for both the band and Kate. After launching her solo career, she took out Best Female Artist at the '88 and '89 ARIA awards with her triple platinum album Brave, nominated as ARIA Album of the Year. In 1992, Kate hit the stage to perform the role of Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar. The show's star-studded cast toured nationally, performed more than 80 arena shows and the album was the biggest hit of the year earning four times platinum status.
Ceberano has barely drawn breath since, racking up 27 albums over 35 years to be the most prolific Australian female recording artist of this era.
In 2014, Ceberano became the first woman to be inducted into the Australian Songwriters' Association (ASA) Hall of Fame. Then in 2016 saw Kate Ceberano on the Queen's Birthday Honours List, becoming a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts and charitable organisations.
She is widely respected across multiple industries of film, television and music. In recent times, she has been celebrated in her three-year tenure as artistic director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, transforming it into one of the most successful festivals in the country. After more than 30 years I'm Talking resurfaced in 2018 with the reissue of their platinum album Bear Witness on Bloodlines Music. A tour with Bryan Ferry on A Day On The Green ensued in early 2019, which saw the band receive rave reviews. "I'm Talking were a revelation", said Simon Collins of The West Australian, demonstrating that today their music is more relevant than ever.
Proving her unique ability to move effortlessly around genres and excel in all, in recent times her output has included two very different collaborations. Tryst (ABC Music) is a collaboration with her long-time friend Paul Grabowsky. The duo deliver stripped back, soulful renditions of some of the great love songs of our time, and the album was recently recognised by ARIA, winning the gong for Best Jazz Album in 2019.
The other undertaking is one of the more interesting partnerships to come about in recent years. Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey (The Church) and Sean Sennett (Hirst + Sennett) began as a long-distance affair and songwriting progressed without Kate and Steve ever meeting. Together they have written a swag of material with the album The Dangerous Age released in February 2020 and immediately garnering critical acclaim.
Now 2020 will see further exciting and unexpected projects, confirming that Kate Ceberano is a most diverse and creative tour-de-force. Her work, her craft and her vision are now imbued in our collective DNA. Kate Ceberano is a bonafide national treasure, possessing one of the great voices of her generation. Long may she run.
She will perform at the Evan Theatre as part of the Great Southern Nights program on Saturday November 28.
Tickets on sale at Ticketek.
