Katarra

From serenading ballads in renowned jazz lounges to championing all-women beat battles, Katarra, a multifaceted singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer, has left her mark on both local and national stages. Her impressive journey includes standout performances at the III Points Festival in Miami and opening a sold-out concert for Boyz II Men in Chesterfield. This St. Louis native brings a unique blend of talents and styles to every stage she graces, pulling audiences into impassioned performances with her sultry yet powerful vocals and smooth keys that seamlessly blend Jazz, Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Classical influences.

"My music ranges from emotionally explosive ballads to boom bap R&B grooves to Jazz-centered Prometheans... all spilling from one place: the soul."

Katarra's career began at Lyrical Therapy, STL’s third-largest open mic, where she overcame years of anxiety by joining the Therapeutics band as a musician, singer, poet, and lyricist. As she blossomed out of stage fright, Katarra began to draw crowds with her original songs and compositions, making a name for herself as a versatile and dynamic performer. Since 2016, she has become a staple in the St. Louis music scene, captivating audiences one stage at a time.

Her journey includes joining the artist collective WeAreFarfetched, led by multidisciplinary artist Damon Davis, in 2018 and securing an 18-month Jazz Residency with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in 2019. Katarra has used her music as a platform for empowerment, performing the 'Black National Anthem' at Tishaura Jones' inauguration as St. Louis’ first black woman mayor, and for advocacy, performing live for Cori Bush's campaign. Opening a sold-out concert for Grammy-winning group Boyz II Men marked another milestone in her burgeoning career, solidifying her impact on the music scene.

After releasing her debut project ‘Cocoa Voyage’ in November 2019, Katarra was listed on Bandcamp’s ‘Best Soul of 2019’ and featured in The Riverfront Times' ‘Best Local Music of 2019’. Her story has been covered by St. Louis' most cherished media platforms, including the STL Post Dispatch, STL Magazine, STL American, The Riverfront Times, NPR St. Louis Public Radio, and Voyage STL, highlighting her rise from voiceless to a voice of her community.

Katarra's soulful runs and revival of the jazz scat style are a musical revolution embodied in one woman. Her music delves into the highs and lows of love and life, passion and pain, self-reflection and self-awareness. Through her performances, she continues to find healing and strength, sharing her powerful story and creating a deep connection with every audience she touches.