Houston’s Kate Kortum used to sing on local jazz stages while still a teenager. As if that didn’t prove her mettle, she’s since studied at Frost School of Music and Juilliard, collaborated with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, played Newport and Birdland, toured internationally, released two albums, and won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition – she’s just that good. She returns to Monks on Sunday with a quartet featuring pianist Tyler Henderson, bassist Jared Becksted Craan, and drummer Aaron Seeber, and joins trumpeter/composer Mike Sailors’ current ensemble on Monday. Kortum doesn’t hit Austin as often as she used to, so don’t miss this. – Michael Toland
