Rising Stars: Meet Kateri Farrell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kateri Farrell.

Kateri, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a singer, songwriter, educator and flute player who enjoys performing across the U.S. Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother is a flute player and my father has always been a huge supporter of music so it feels very natural that I chose to pursue to it as a career. I started singing in church and taking piano lessons at a young age. The summer before 4th grade, my mom started teaching me flute and the rest is history.

Throughout high school, I played flute in as many ensembles as I could and studied Classical privately. My senior year, I began taking Jazz flute lessons and it changed my life. I was amazed at how unique the flute could sound in different genres and fell in love with improvisation. I decided to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for the thriving jazz community and quickly got confirmation that being a musician was my life’s purpose. During my time at UWEC, I was highly committed and involved with several different ensembles but especially the top jazz bands. I started off transposing the tenor II saxophone part and before long was playing flute features and singing with the top jazz ensembles. I was fortunate enough to meet and share the stage with jazz idols such as Geoffrey Keezer, Diana Donatelli, Byron Stripling and Wycliffe Gordon. This was invaluable experience that I will always be grateful for and certainly helped to light a fire in me to pursue being a musician. In addition to playing with school ensembles, I was also very involved with many bands in the greater Eau Claire community. I sang lead, background vocals and played flute for several jazz, funk, pop, hop-hop and singer songwriter groups including my own jazz/soul combo. I also started doing more session work working closely with Pinehollow Studios (Evan Middlesworth) in Eau Claire, WI. The musician lifestyle was definitely calling to me and as my experience grew, so did my passion for learning and sharing music with others.

After graduating, I grew eager to expand my abilities so searched for a bigger music scene to dive into. With barely any savings to my name, I decided to move to Nashville in 2015 upon several recommendations from musician friends. I started going to various jams and quickly connected with some of the most talented and the most friendly musicians I’ve ever met. I began playing with singer-songwriters and gained a lot of experience contributing my sound to several different genres including rock, Americana, blues, Jazz, Latin, funk, soul/r&b and alternative. Being a unique instrumentalist, I was not easy to miss and quickly felt a sense of recognition and acceptance into the Nashville music community. One thing that I love sharing is that the first 5 or 6 groups I played with in Nashville were women led! This was very empowering for me as a woman and musician. I felt so valued for my sound and gained more experience singing background vocals as well. Playing with women specifically was a huge source of inspiration for me getting into songwriting myself.

In 2017, I sat in with Jason Eskridge and band at Sunday Night Soul (a bi-monthly event featuring Nashville’s top soul musicians hosted every 2nd, 4th Sunday at The 5 Spot) and was immediately invited to be a part of the house band. Jason is one of Nashville’s most respected and well-known soul singers so it was quite an honor for me to be welcomed with open arms into his band. My experience playing with Jason has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined and has led me to some incredible opportunities. I’ve never felt more empowered as a musician and as a person and continue to be grateful to be a part of this band fam.

In 2019, I branched out from doing freelance and began playing out with my own group that consisted of jazz, soul, funk and originals. I took singing and writing more seriously and am very pleased to be releasing my debut single in 2022. It is produced by another Nashville local hero, De Marco Johnson (Jason Eskridge’s keyboardist/musical director and a dear, dear friend) This is a huge milestone for me and I’m very excited to be sharing it! I’m already planning to record more songs in the coming year.

Being in Nashville has helped many of my dreams literally come true and I look forward to seeing where the journey takes me from here.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not entirely hah I have run into many obstacles along my way. Money has been pretty tight even with all of the people I have met and played with throughout the years in Nashville. However, even the greatest musicians that I know have some sort of side job or business and/or teach several students to supplement their income. So at least that is somewhat comforting.

Though I mentioned that I stand out as a player because of my instrument (and gender), I also think that these factors have somewhat hindered me as well. Being so unique, I really need to hustle to keep my presence known. Many people are not looking for a flute player or just assume ask a woodwind doubler to play flute despite their usually limited ability on the instrument. Oftentimes, the artist would rather pay someone who can do any woodwind instead of finding someone who specializes. This can be very frustrating but also keeps a fire lit under me to not give up and continue honing and presenting my craft.

As much as I didn’t want to admit this at first, I also have experienced a fair amount of judgments and lack of respect being a woman in the music business. I don’t get taken seriously a lot and also get hired based on looks or the reverse; people avoiding me because of my looks and being female. It does, however, make it that much more enjoyable to watch people’s faces after they hear me shred a flute solo for the first time haha.

I have also personally run into some health issues that have set me back financially and physically during the past few years, though I firmly believe that these challenges are helping shape me into the person and musician that I am meant to be. I look forward to sharing my story in hopes of helping and inspiring others.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I play flute and sing professionally. I have lots of experience performing live and in sessions. I would say I am most known for my funky and soulful flute improvisation. It sets me apart from other Jazz and classical flute players and gives me a distinctive and recognizable sound. I love using many different sounds and articulations known as extended techniques in my playing. These techniques are a specialty of mine and sets me apart from many doublers.

Though I’m mostly known for my flute playing, singing is just as big as a passion for me and I have been focusing more on this especially in recent years. I have a soulful, smoky jazz tone and love to scat. I can’t wait to share more singing with everyone, especially since many know I play flute but may not know I sing as well.

I am most proud of writing and performing my original music with my band live. This is always such a magical and rewarding experience and I feel so humbled and grateful to get to share my gift with other incredible musicians and listeners.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Ooo yes. For Books:

*The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron) *This is more like a 12 week course and also instills a morning journaling ritual

*The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz)

*Effortless Mastery (Kenny Werner)

I listen to a few different podcasts including…

* The Third Story with Leo Sidran

(Leo is a drummer and singer-songwriter who has very introspective interviews with countless incredible musicians who have very insightful advice and experiences to share)

*The Wealthy Artist Podcast (cohosted by my friend Sarah Clanton & Wilson Harwood)

* The New Music Business with Ari Herstand (This is a podcast further exploring subjects in his book and the ever-changing music business)

Apps:

Insight Timer
-I try to use daily for meditations and helping keep focused on my goals and avoiding distractions. I especially enjoy the manifestation and positive affirmations.

Snapseed
-I use this to create posters and flyers for gigs. It’s free and easy to use! Highly recommend.

Acapella App
-I love to play around with this and create fun posts to share.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.katerimusic.com
• Instagram: Katericanary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katerifarrellmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsrigGPEW3bl4urZowiyIEA
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kateri-farrell?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Image Credits
Tommy Mattox
Cyd
Khayrro
Lydia Brittan
Sissy Dinkle
Mary Rodgers
Jason Eskridge
Michael Majett
Roy Agee