Inspired by a rich background of jazz, folk and popular music styles, while seamlessly weaving story and sound with depth, imagination and creativity, singer and songwriter Kat Reinhert is an artist whose music defies categorization
Reinhert writes songs that blend the complexity of jazz harmonies to the lyrical prosody of a singer-songwriter in an easily accessible aural palette. She has a clear and expressive voice that can move effortlessly from a secret whisper of longing to a laughter filled explosion as she moves through each story with authenticity and expression. As a lyricist, she draws from both real-life experiences, as well as those made from whole-cloth or sparked by watching the world with through the lens of an observer. Ever the optimist, Reinhert has a keen ability to dig deep into difficult subjects while never alienating her listeners.
Her first original music appeared on a now archived album released in 2001 and Kat continued to lead and sing with various bands. In 2008, she released her second album, Chrysalis, her first all-original material release. Reinhert continued to perform throughout NYC as well as lead several national tours. During this time was when she really caught the ‘songwriting bug’.
During the next seven years, Reinhert recorded two albums: Spark, released in 2015 to critical acclaim containing twelve original songs and a RUSH cover, and Home Movie, released in winter 2018, containing nine creative interpretations of folk songs, covers and jazz standards. Spark was produced by David Cook (k) and contains guest artists Julia Pederson (b), Jody Redhage (c), and Jo Lawry, Shayna Steele and Sarah Tolar (bvgs) and both records have Kat's core band of Perry Smith (g), Sam Minaie (b) and Ross Pederson (d).
After spending time in Miami pursuing alternative career paths, Reinhert relocated back to New York City in 2019 and has returned to the performing and creative industries full time. In 2021, she released her fifth studio album of all original material, Dead Reckoning. Drawing from the challenges and experiences of maintaining an artistic creative life and relationships while pursuing a parallel passion in education and research, the songs on this upcoming album are a testament to the honesty, vulnerability, charm, and hope we all discover on our journeys. The album features Reinhert’s long time band members Perry Smith (g), Jesse Lewis (g), Matt Aronoff (b), and Ross Pederson (d) as well as guest artists Jody Redhage (c), Rob Saunders (m) and features background vocals by Jamie Leonhart, Crystal Monee Hall and Jo Lawry, Working alongside producer David Cook (k), Reinhert and Cook shaped the sonic landscape that takes the listener on a compelling aural journey.
Before and after the release of her album, Reinhert released four singles, produced by Happy Camper Studios in Nashville: Better Without You, The Thief, Behind and Hiding in the Dark. She is currently working on four self-produed singles, with release dates set for spring and summer 2024. She has worked with Josh Logan (Black Eyed Peas, Andy Grammer, etc.), Stephen Lit (Galantis, One Direction, etc), MONA (Hailee Steinfeld, Daya, etc.), Idarose (Warner Chappel), and David Cook (Taylor Swift, Maren Morris, Keisha), as well as written for Sesame Street and collaborated on podcast theme songs. and her music is featured in the credits for Songwriting for Music Educators. as well as the podcast Aphasia Speaks. Reinhert is looking forward to continuing releases, opportunities, writing and performances.