Black Olive Jazz

I have been thinking about the new recording project I am developing, it is a journey of biblical, historical and mythical proportions. Featuring heroines like Salome, Delilah, Cleopatra, Calypso, Persephone, Penelope. As I began this journey, it occurred to me how the stories had the women fall into two distinct categories, seductress/destroyer vs. faithful wife. How much of these stories were true? Were they all written/created by men? What’s the other story? To me, it’s more about “love” being the catalyst for bliss, seduction and ultimately destruction, not the woman. This is not an attack on men. I love men. My point is, we are all victims of seduction and passion. I do not see feminism and sexuality as being mutually exclusive. (Madonna).

It will be mostly a middle/eastern/ jazz fusion piece with traditional jazz instrumentation, in addition to dumbek, finger cymbals, guitar, oud, and soprano sax. There will be some spoken word. Most of pieces will be “danceable” grooves, inviting audience participation.

Dearest Friends!

I am very grateful to have your support and good wishes! I send you love, and a link to my music.

ALBUM LINK: (expired link)


I just received these wonderful reviews!

From New York Jazz Writer Dan Singer:

KAY KOSTOPOULOS: EXOTICA
It’s certainly not a bad idea to feature an entire 13-song CD with
subdued and wild jazz influenced “Martin Denny” like sounding
material. Kay just dazzles as she sings along with a group of
San Francisco musicians called “Black Olive Jazz” a program
of marvelous songs with brand new arrangements we haven’t
heard before.
“Bali Hai” (Rodgers/Hammerstein) starts things off in an
inspired and creative way. This song never loses interest in a
wonderful almost 6-minute performance. “Surrey With The
Fringe On Top” (Rodgers/Hart) continues to surprise. As
familiar the song happens to be with us, Ms. Kostopoulos very
original reading here is wonderful. “Never Never Land”
(Styne/Comden/Green) from “Peter Pan” is performed in a most
resourceful way. “Caravan” (Tizol) contains many ingenious
and movingly sweeping rhythms. Kay seems really at home and
certainly on top of things here. The swing is very comforting and
loose. “Passion Flower” (Strayhorn) is most lovingly inventive
and remarkably artistic in this presentation.
Dan Singer...reviewer, "In Tune International"

From Jazz DJ, Dave Fabilli:

"Bali Hai" (always dug this tune, anyway), "Enchantment" & "Cleopatra" -- LOVE the concept, love the selections & arrangements. The playing is good & appropriate, and the use of, or the blend of her voice w/the woodwinds, the "exotic" percussion... 5-stars for concept, theme & execution on this one. Great stuff. Very radio friendly... Dave Fabilli, Jazz Radio, Point Park

Hello Dear Friends,

My new album, "Exotica" is now available. Passionate, Mediterranean jazzy exotic sound with polyrhythms and unusual scales. Sultry vocals, Piano, Sax, Bass, Cello, Finger Cymbals, Multiple Percussion. If you like sensual music, with finger cymbals, cello, sax and an exotic groove, this is for you. Featuring "Cleopatra and the Viper", "A Night in Tunisia"...

Listen here...

Amazon link:
(expired link)

CD Baby Link:

(expired link)

Much love and all best wishes to you!
Kay

Hello all! We will be doing songs from my upcoming release, "Exotica", featuring "Cleopatra and the Viper", a N1M favorite! Featuring Noel Jewkes, reeds, Grant Levin piano, Kay Kostopoulos, vocals. Hope to see you there.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 7:00-10:00 (expired link).
BLACK OLIVE JAZZ With the Noel Jewkes Quartet
CAFÉ PINK HOUSE
14577 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 647-2273 (expired link)


tickets:

(expired link)

Hello dear friends, here is a video of me playing finger cymbals to an original TANGO by piano jazz legend, Larry Vuckovich, Sax master, Noel Jewkes leads the song..."Adriatic Nights"...

(expired link)

Hello Dear Friends,
I am getting ready to release a new album entitled "Exotica"--it will be exotic versions of jazz songs...here is a preview "Bali Hai".
If you'd like to purchase any of my music, please go to CD BABY and enter "Black Olive Jazz".
Thank you so much for your support!
Love,
Kay

Hello everyone, I hope you enjoy these videos from a recent concert!

All the best wishes!
Kay

Surrey with a Fringe on Top
(expired link)

A Train:
(expired link)

Cleopatra and the Viper
(expired link)

Never Never Land:
(expired link)

Besame Mucho:
(expired link)

Hello everyone! Here are some upcoming performances for Black Olive Jazz. I am always looking for jazz festivals around the globe who might be interested in my music! Please keep in touch, and if you are in the San Francisco Bay area, come to a show and introduce yourself! Best wishes to all!


SUNDAY, JULY 13: 4:00-6:30 (expired link).
NAPA VALLEY JAZZ SOCIETY: Kay plays zills (finger cymbals) with Larry Vuckovich’s “Crosswinds Ensemble” at Silos, Napa Jazz Society, Venue: Silos Jazz Club 530 Main Street, Napa, CA
Admission: $20 Information: 707-224-JAZZ (707-224-5299)
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Eric Golub, violin /Tommy Kesecker, marimba / Vince Delgado, dumbek-middle eastern percussion/ Michael Zisman, bass & mandolin / Akira Tana, drums / special guests: Coralie Russo, oud, Kay Kostopoulos, finger cymbals
THURSDAY, JULY 17: 5:30-8:30 (expired link).: NEW VENUE!

SAM’S CHOWDERHOUSE, PALO ALTO
185 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
PALO ALTO, CA 94301 650-614-1177
Rick Vandivier, guitar; Carla Kaufman, bass, Kay, vocals

SUNDAY, JULY 20: 2:00-4:00 (expired link)
CORTE MADERA CENTER MUSIC SERIES: Follow US-101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge for approximately 12 miles. Take the TAMALPAIS DR exit toward PARADISE DR. Turn LEFT onto TAMALPAIS DR. Go over the overpass and immediately turn right into Corte Madera Town Center
BLACK OLIVE JAZZ with Aaron Garner, piano; Chris Amberger, bass; Noel Jewkes, reeds, Jake Shandling, drums, Kay Kostopoulos, vocals
FRIDAY, JULY 25: 8:30-11:30
CAFÉ STRITCH, 374 S. 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Noel Jewkes Quartet, Noel on reeds; Grant Levin, piano; Adam Gay, bass, Mark Lee, drums, Kay Kostopoulos, featured vocalist
SATURDAY, August 9: 12-2 (expired link).
SAN JOSE JAZZ FESTIVAL at CAFÉ STRITCH
374 S. 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Noel Jewkes Quartet, Noel on reeds; Grant Levin, piano; Adam Gay, bass, Mark Lee, drums, Kay Kostopoulos, featured vocalist
SATURDAY, August 9: 8-10 (expired link).
Sheraton, SF, with DAVE BENDEKEIT QUARTET! (Private Event—just had to mention it—I love Dave!)
****TUESDAY, August 19: 7:30-10:30 (expired link).
LEO BIRTHDAY BASH!
Sausalito Seahorse, 305 HARBOR Dr at Gate 5, 415-331-2899
Noel Jewkes Quartet, Keith Saunders, piano; Carla Kaufman, bass, tons of musicians, and yours truly, getting old.
THURSDAY, August 21: 9:(expired link) (expired link).
Café Delux!! (COOL RETRO VENUE!!!)
Haight and Ashbury Streets, San Francisco
Grant Levin Quartet, Kay Kostopoulos, featured vocalist
New CD featuring Noel Jewkes, master sax player coming out soon! Title: SAX/VOX If you would like to hear more music, I have two albums on CD Baby, "Black Magic" and "View from Telegraph Hill". My website is (expired link)

Thank you, and lots of love!

Jazz vocalist, Kay Andreas (aka Kay Kostopoulos), is a former dancer, a classical actress and teacher of Drama at Stanford University. Kay has always been attentive to rhythm, range, and textural meaning in her teaching and acting. Black Olive Jazz features stunning vocals and a rhythm section powered with a percussive Mediterranean touch.

Middle Eastern riffs and Shakespearean texts have helped to inform her delivery of the complex time, sensitive lyrics and multiple shades of jazz. Her theatrical background lends an emotional sensitivity to her lush and sensuous three-octave range.

Kay’s experience as an actress makes her a versatile song-stylist and performer. Black Olive Jazz has a wide range of material which appeals to any age: Classic Jazz Standards, Latin, Romantic Ballads, Retro-lounge in the style of Pink Martini, Django-Grapelli style guitar/violin with voice, and even R&B for Motown fans. She sings in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Performing classic songs from the Golden Age of the American Songbook with a vocal jazz repertoire from the enduring masters of the art form including the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter; and songwriters from Europe and Latin America--Consuelo Velaquez, Ary Borroso, (expired link). Jobim, and many more. Vocalist Kay Andreas brings these traditions together with an all-star ensemble of San Francisco legends.