Kateri Farrell is an emerging flutist, vocalist and songwriter who tours internationally with eight-time GRAMMY winner Stephen Marley.  Based between Nashville and New Orleans, her sound can be described as a blend of soul, jazz and R&B, with improvisation that is as virtuosic as it is funky. A gentle but powerful presence, Kateri has been recognized for her smoky, lush vocal tone and fresh flute lines that captivate listeners. 

 

          In college, Kateri studied classical and jazz flute at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, where she was regularly featured on flute and vocals with the prestigious top jazz ensemble, which holds a GRAMMY nomination and two DownBeat Student Music Awards for Best Undergraduate Jazz Ensemble.  Launching her professional journey as a supporting player in Nashville in 2015, Kateri built a career freelancing as a flute player and vocalist, singing lead and background vocals for numerous local groups.  Kateri is a veteran in genres such as Salsa, Soul, Americana, Funk, Jazz, & more.  In 2017, she began playing with Jason Eskridge (Zac Brown, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Keb Mo’, Robert Glasper) and has also played regularly with award winning retro-soul artist Lydia Brittan & the Royal Family.

 

           Now a seasoned bandleader, Kateri performs around Nashville, boasting several appearances at Rudy’s Jazz Room, and as a highlighted artist at the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s Spotlight Artist Series. Her debut single “I Choose You” was released in August 2023 and is a romantic R&B ballad with a 90’s vibe and overall loving message of empowerment through choice. This marked the birth of several projects, culminating in the creation of her first debut album soon to be released.  Musical influences include Norah Jones, Nancy Wilson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lianne La Havas, Herbie Hancock, Bob Marley and flute greats Rhonda Larson, Bobbi Humphrey, Herbie Mann, Ian Anderson of “Jethro Tull” and Greg Pattillo.

 

         In recent years, Kateri has been added as a member of Stephen Marley’s acoustic band. Kateri supports Marley on his international tours through flute and background vocals and performed with brothers Stephen and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on the 2024 Traffic Jam Tour.  She has been highly acclaimed for what her sound brings to Marley’s set and plans to continue touring/performing with Stephen and his band at iconic venues and festivals.  Performances of note include the 2024 New Orleans Jazz Fest, The Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks Amphitheatre supported by the Colorado Symphony.

 

Kateri is newly endorsed by Altus flutes, and uses the 4099 DPA instrument microphone on tour.