Trudy Kerr is an Australian jazz singer who moves to London in 1990 and continues to gig regularly there while working by day as secretary to clarinetist Acker Bilk. She studies jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and wins a career break in 1995 when Ronnie Scott offers her a week’s engagement at his Soho club, after which she performs there regularly.

Recordings and repertoire

Her first album, Sweet Surprise, appears in 1997 on the FMR label and combines lesser-known standards with pop classics in a contemporary jazz style. In 1999 she releases Trudy, which features Acker Bilk and draws on songs from the Great American Song Book as well as material by artists such as James Taylor and Carole King. Day Dream follows in 2000 and features guest pianist Mulgrew Miller. In 2002 she releases My Old Flame: Remembering Chet Baker, a tribute to Chet Baker. Cloudburst, released in 2005, is based on tunes from the instrumental jazz repertoire. Her CDs are released on the Jazzizit label.

Broadcasting and education work

Kerr also hosts BBC Radio Kent’s Jazz Hour on Tuesday nights with Roger Day, presenting new UK releases alongside classic jazz recordings. She also performs Jazz For Juniors, a children’s jazz show, in schools.

Collaborators and recognition

Her recordings include contributions or appearances from Acker Bilk, Mulgrew Miller and Georgie Fame, who duets with her on two tracks. She is described by The Times as one of the country’s most polished singers.