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A triple-threat talent, Katie Thiroux has firmly established herself as a force in today’s jazz world with her bravura bass playing, assured singing, and compelling compositions. Known for her rare ability to seamlessly blend deep swing with lyrical vocals, Thiroux brings joy, soul, and virtuosity to every performance—leaving audiences around the world in awe. In the words of Quincy Jones: “This girl is IT!”
Thiroux’s latest and most personal release, Always but never Alone (BassKat Music), is a fearless and emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and resilience, inspired by her experience as a mother to her autistic daughter, Aurelia. It follows the success of her 2017 album Off Beat, named a “Best Album of the Year” by DownBeat Magazine and featured in-flight on Emirates Airlines, as well as her widely acclaimed 2015 debut Introducing Katie Thiroux. That debut earned “Debut Record of the Year” honors from The Huffington Post, All About Jazz, Jazz Journalists Association, and a top spot on the NPR Jazz Critics Poll.
Beyond her career as a recording artist and international performer, Katie is a sought-after educator and advocate. She serves on the jazz faculty at the University of Southern California (USC), is the Director of Women in Jazz for the Monterey Jazz Festival, and leads masterclasses and residencies worldwide. In 2019, she launched the Jazz Maui Camp and released an online course through Discover Double Bass that remains a go-to resource for aspiring players.
A past semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition and featured artist on NPR’s The Checkout, WBGO, and DownBeat’s “Player Profile,” Thiroux continues to receive accolades that reflect both her deep musical roots and visionary artistry. She is also the host of The Hump with Katie Thiroux, a podcast featuring candid conversations with jazz greats including Christian McBride, Larry Grenadier, and Rufus Reid.
From her powerful live shows to her work in education and advocacy, Katie Thiroux is not just preserving the jazz tradition—she’s pushing it forward with heart, swing, and fearless originality.
Thiroux’s latest and most personal release, Always but never Alone (BassKat Music), is a fearless and emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and resilience, inspired by her experience as a mother to her autistic daughter, Aurelia. It follows the success of her 2017 album Off Beat, named a “Best Album of the Year” by DownBeat Magazine and featured in-flight on Emirates Airlines, as well as her widely acclaimed 2015 debut Introducing Katie Thiroux. That debut earned “Debut Record of the Year” honors from The Huffington Post, All About Jazz, Jazz Journalists Association, and a top spot on the NPR Jazz Critics Poll.
Beyond her career as a recording artist and international performer, Katie is a sought-after educator and advocate. She serves on the jazz faculty at the University of Southern California (USC), is the Director of Women in Jazz for the Monterey Jazz Festival, and leads masterclasses and residencies worldwide. In 2019, she launched the Jazz Maui Camp and released an online course through Discover Double Bass that remains a go-to resource for aspiring players.
A past semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition and featured artist on NPR’s The Checkout, WBGO, and DownBeat’s “Player Profile,” Thiroux continues to receive accolades that reflect both her deep musical roots and visionary artistry. She is also the host of The Hump with Katie Thiroux, a podcast featuring candid conversations with jazz greats including Christian McBride, Larry Grenadier, and Rufus Reid.
From her powerful live shows to her work in education and advocacy, Katie Thiroux is not just preserving the jazz tradition—she’s pushing it forward with heart, swing, and fearless originality.
"Genuine artists like this don't come along everyday, so take note"
- All About Jazz
"Move over bassists who can sing, Katie Thiroux is here, swinging relentlessly. Soon, her unbridled
ingenuity in both aspects of performance might be legendary."
- Raul da Gama
- All About Jazz
"Move over bassists who can sing, Katie Thiroux is here, swinging relentlessly. Soon, her unbridled
ingenuity in both aspects of performance might be legendary."
- Raul da Gama
Coming from a musical family in Los Angeles, she was surrounded by music; beginning with violin lessons at age 4 then switching to the acoustic bass at age 8. While continuing her studies on bass, Katie explored both jazz and classical vocal styles; landing principal roles in the LA Opera and Opera Pacifica by the age of 10. Captivated by an early recording of Lionel Hampton, Katie was driven to pursue her love for jazz and began studying privately with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton at the age of 12. In 2005 Thiroux began a mentorship with John Clayton that started at the Vail Jazz Party and later that year she received the Los Angeles Jazz Soceity award, "Shelly Manne New Talent." In 2006 was awarded the Phil Ramone Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of music which included full tuition and room and board. Upon graduation, Thiroux was asked to teach at the Berklee International School in Ecuador, Quito. She returned to her native Los Angeles and completed a Masters of Jazz Bass from California State University of Long Beach on full scholarship. Music education is
In addition to work with her quartet, Thiroux was an active member of the Larry Fuller Trio and has has been heard with, among others, pianists Justin Kauflin, Bill Cunliffe, Geri Allen, Helen Sung, Tamir Hendelman and Eric Reed, trumpeters Brian Lynch and Terrell Stafford, saxophonists Jeff Clayton, Charles McPhearson and Ken Peplowski, guitarists Mundell Lowe and Larry Koonse, drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, Lewis Nash and Jeff Hamilton, and vocalists Patti Austin, Niki Harris and Tierney Sutton. Having performed at jazz festivals in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Finland, Serbia, Singapore and Switzerland as both a leader and a sideman, Thiroux often incorporates workshops for students and audiences. It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving. Katie’s swinging bass, clear vocals and inspired instrumental arrangements are reflective of her musical idols both past and present. Katie Thiroux’s knowledge, perseverance and fervor for the music make her a rising star in today’s scene. Thiroux is thankful for the mentorship she received growing up and now while on tour, she incorporates workshops for students and audiences . It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving.
In addition to work with her quartet, Thiroux was an active member of the Larry Fuller Trio and has has been heard with, among others, pianists Justin Kauflin, Bill Cunliffe, Geri Allen, Helen Sung, Tamir Hendelman and Eric Reed, trumpeters Brian Lynch and Terrell Stafford, saxophonists Jeff Clayton, Charles McPhearson and Ken Peplowski, guitarists Mundell Lowe and Larry Koonse, drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, Lewis Nash and Jeff Hamilton, and vocalists Patti Austin, Niki Harris and Tierney Sutton. Having performed at jazz festivals in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Finland, Serbia, Singapore and Switzerland as both a leader and a sideman, Thiroux often incorporates workshops for students and audiences. It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving. Katie’s swinging bass, clear vocals and inspired instrumental arrangements are reflective of her musical idols both past and present. Katie Thiroux’s knowledge, perseverance and fervor for the music make her a rising star in today’s scene. Thiroux is thankful for the mentorship she received growing up and now while on tour, she incorporates workshops for students and audiences . It is her passionate belief that exposure to jazz history, culture and styles is vital in keeping the music alive and thriving.
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