Listening to vocalist Kathy Zauss, is to be reminded of the tradition of great female singers. Combining musical intelligence, intonation and a strong soaring voice, Kathy has the spirit of legendary interpreters of American Popular music,While achieving a style that is all her own.
Born Katherine Root, Kathy began singing lessons at the tender age of 9. Encouraged by her mother, Natalie, who herself was a vocalist at one time, Kathy attributes her musical ability to her side of the family; every member is involved in the music industry. As a child, Kathy fondly remembers evenings spent listening to a variety of music; Classical, Big Band, Dixieland. This was a major influence in her becoming a vocalist capable of singing many styles of music. As a youngster, Kathy had the opportunity to meet first hand, and hear some of her musical heroes like Stan Kenton, Dave Brubeck, and Russian composer Vaclav Nelhybel.
Her father, Bill, spent summers directing bands at the National Music Camp, now the Interlochen Center for the Arts. This was the beginning of her love affair with music. It wasn't long before Kathy herself went on to graduate from the Interlochen Arts Academy. While there, she majored in vocal music under the direction of the beloved Dr. Kenneth Jewell. She played French horn in the Academy's orchestra, and also took acting classes. The combination of music and acting led her to spend two summers at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Summer Musical Theatre Program, and Kathy began to train for a career in musical theatre. Soon, she moved to Los Angeles, where she was accepted in the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Art where she studied acting and received vocal training. Getting excellent training under her belt, she landed her first professional singing job at Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This was to be the beginning of an exciting career that took her across the United States. She spent time on the "Musicana Theatre" circuit based out of West Palm Beach Florida, then back to Michigan, where she sang at the "Amway Grand Plaza" at an old time themed saloon called "Tootsie Van Kelley's." She went on to perform her one woman Dixieland show on the famous Mississippi Queen Steamboat, a floating hotel out of New Orleans, cruising from Louisiana to Minnesota. Through the years, Kathy has worn many hats; as both performer and director of musicals alike, making her a truly gifted all around entertainer.
Eventually Kathy settled in Orlando, Florida. She landed a part time singing job, back up by a seven piece Dixieland band, at Rosie O'Grady's, a themed entertainment complex in Orlando. On the nights she wasn't singing, Kathy flew in and out of Orlando, doing a whirlwind United States tour promoting the Grand Opening of Universal Studios. It was on March of 1991 while Kathy was performing at Universal Studios when she heard an unbelievable trumpet player performing with a musical group on Hollywood Boulevard. She was stunned and enthralled to hear a trumpet player with such range, coupled with improvisational skills. Little did she know that Mark Zauss was one day going to be her partner in life. Three years later, Kathy and Mark were married.
It didn't take long for their love of music to mesh, and they created their first band, "The Basin Street Dixieland Band". Together they created six more bands and the music they make is still growing, as well as their love for each other. Kathy continues performing in many musical groups, and has recorded two CD's with her husband. "Beyond The Stratosphere" and "No Limits" Her voice is described as big, glorious, and magnificent among friends and fans alike. She can barrel through her lower register with abandon, and yet still be in control of her voice, whether she is whispering or whipping out the lyrics, proving she can sing just about any style. Considering she has four different bands that she actively performs with, that's a very good thing.