As a performer, Minnesota singer-songwriter Katy Tessman combines energy and emotion with genuine warmth and musical passion. Her powerful voice and rhythmic approach to the acoustic guitar (or mandolin) express a straight-from-the-heart songwriting style that's won accolades from fans and critics alike. Since 1993, Katy has been performing her original contemporary folk music both as a headliner and opener at venues in the Twin Cities and throughout the region.

Katy has been featured on several television news programs including KMSP-TV's 9 News' "The Buzz", Twin Cities Public Television's NewsNight Minnesota, KHTV-TV in Helena, Montana and KSFY-TV's Good Morning Dakota in South Dakota. Katy has also performed live on radio stations such as Minneapolis/St.Paul's KFAI-FM Radio, Fargo/Moorhead's WDAY-AM Radio, and Lewiston, Idaho's "Good Times 105."

Katy's 11-song solo debut CD, Fall, remarkably showcases her abilities as a vocalist and songwriter. Her acoustic based arrangements are expanded by a talented cast of players. Legendary jazz and studio bassist Richard Davis, innovative funk drummer Clyde Stubblefield, violinist Randy Sabien, and percussionist Wally Ingram make special cameos as well.

Released on the independent Rhythmelodic Records label in January-2001, Fall was recorded at Wakefield Mines studio in Madison, WI and was produced by multi-instrumentalist Jay Moran, drummer/percussionist Dave Stanoch and Katy herself.

In 2000, Katy began incorporating a full band into select live performances around the region. Comprised of players featured on her solo debut Fall, the band's sound reflects the fuller arrangements of the songs on Katy's CD. The group members' impeccable musicianship is a great compliment to Katy's dynamic stage presence and positive personality.

Katy has seemingly inexhaustible energy. In 2001 Katy made over 100 appearances including solo and band performances, TV and radio spots, and shared stages with other talented artists. She toured the midwestern and northwestern United States with percussionist Dave Stanoch in 2001. They performed together in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. In 2002, Katy extended her audience base in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In the 2000, she was a finalist in the Minnesota New Folk songwriting contest, and performed at the Minnesota Folk Festival.

In 1998-99, Katy teamed-up with Pulse of the Twin Cities newspaper to present a series of four showcases to promote Twin Cities acoustic music. She hand-picked an entertaining and distinctive sampling of the thriving, yet often overlooked, local contemporary folk scene. She presented each showcase at unique acoustic music venues throughout the Twin Cities. As the organizer of the series, she hosted each showcase as well as performed her original music.

Before she began performing solo in 1997, Katy was best known as the voice of Joe's Elevator, the eclectic folk-rock band she co-founded in 1993. For four years, this quartet performed in Twin Cities coffeehouses and bars including The Loring, Ginkgo, Caboose, and 400 Bar. You can hear several of Katy's songs on Up & Down, which was released April-1997. Over 400 people attended the Joe's Elevator CD release concert at The Fine Line Music Cafe and nearly 100 CDs were sold. Since then, Katy's solo career has blossomed.

Katy has been called an "urban folk purist" by KFAI-Radio and "a power-house in personality and music" by Pulse of the Twin Cities newspaper. With a voice that critic Bill Snyder described as "smooth and distinctive," Katy emerged as one of the most engaging acoustic talents in the Twin Cities.

Affiliations:
Folk Alliance
Indiegrrl
Minnesota Music Academy
Just Plain Folks

For more information, e-mail Katy Tessman. Photography by Jon Duder.