Caitlin Smith comes from a musical family and also from a long line of teachers both paternally and maternally. In fact, her great grandmother, Kate Milligan Edgar, was the first woman in the British empire to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree back in 1884. This Welsh, Scots and Irish heritage, her mother’s opera singing and her father’s old blues records, as well as her negotiation of her partial sight, have all provided inspiration and impetus for her musical development.

Legally blind since birth, Caitlin formed the now defunct Fondue Set jazz trio which received widespread critical acclaim for it’s live performances and two CDs – ‘Stick a fork in it’ 1999 and ‘In a blue Vein’ 2000 both quickly sold out.

As a solo artist she has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia and at several international jazz festivals including the Manly Jazz Festival and the Thredbo Global Music Festival.

Throughout New Zealand Caitlin you may have seen Caitlin performing at the following Arts and Jazz Festivals: 

• Waiheke Island Festival of Jazz several years in a row
• The Wellington International Jazz Festival
• The Christchurch Arts Festival
• The Christchurch Festival of Romance
• The Tauranga and Taranaki Arts Festivals
• The Wanganui Arts Festival
• The Winter Jazz Series
• The Queenstown Winter Festival
• and hundreds more events and festivals throughout NZ

Collaborating with New Zealand’s most respected and sought after artists (SJD, The Nairobi Trio, Pitchblack, Conchrod Dawn, Ross Mullins, Eddie Rayner, Don McGlashun), she not only performs as a vocalist herself but as a teacher of professional vocalists.

Caitlin Smith is available as a duo,  trio or backed by any number of musicians depending on what fits your budget best.

Feel free to call  to discuss your needs and how you’d like to use this outstanding, talented Jazz Singer.