Kate Ceberano

Kate Ceberano
Background information
Born	(1966-11-17) 17 November 1966 Melbourne, Australia
Genres	pop, soul, jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, actor
Instruments	Singing
Years active	1983–present
Labels	Sony Music
Associated acts	I'm Talking (1983–87), Models, Wendy Matthews
Website	kateceberano.com

Catherine "Kate" Ceberano (/səˈbrɑːnoʊ/, born 17 November 1966) is an Australian singer. She achieved success in the soul, jazz and pop genres, as well as in her brief forays into musicals—with Jesus Christ Superstar—and film. She has also achieved success as a songwriter, with the hit "Pash" receiving a gold sales certification in 1998.

Ceberano was the artistic director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Early life

Ceberano was born in Melbourne, Australia to an American father of Filipino descent^[1] (karate master Tino Ceberano) and an Australian mother. Her maternal forebears were some of the earliest settlers and government officials in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.^[1]

Music

Ceberano first came to prominence singing back-up vocals with Melbourne, Australia band The Models. The band produced a Top 5 album in 1985 called Out of Mind, Out of Sight, before Ceberano found fame with her funk band I'm Talking. I'm Talking are acknowledged as the band "who pioneered New York-style art pop in Australia during the Jurassic Period of Pub Rock". The group was managed by Ken West, now known for being a co-founder of the Big Day Out events. The group's debut album, Bear Witness, included three top ten singles and achieved a platinum sales certification. Ceberano won the Best Female Vocalist award at the 1986 Countdown Awards.^[2] After the debut album, the group broke up and Ceberano went solo. It was then, in the late 80s, that she earned a reputation for her soul, jazz and pop repertoire. Radio stations labelled her as having "one of the greatest voices our music industry has ever produced".

Ceberano's first solo album was the live recording Kate Ceberano and her Septet, released in March 1987. The following year, she collaborated with Wendy Matthews on the album You've Always Got The Blues, which was the soundtrack to the ABC Television show Stringer. The album peaked at No. 7 on the ARIA charts and earned her a nomination for the ARIA Award for Best Female Artist in 1988.

In 1989, Ceberano released her album Brave. The album was the 20th highest-selling album in Australia in the 1980s^[3] and spawned four singles, including "Bedroom Eyes", which became the fifth highest-selling single in Australia in 1989 and the highest-selling single by an Australian artist that year. At the 1989 ARIA awards, she won the ARIA Award for Best Female Artist, as well as "Highest Selling Single" for "Bedroom Eyes".^[4] At the end of 1990, she received three Mo Awards for Jazz Performer, Female Rock Performer and Contemporary Concert Performer of the Year.^[2]

Ceberano contributed "Nature Boy" to the The Crossing soundtrack, before releasing the albums Like Now in 1990 and Think About It! in 1991. In 1992, she joined the cast of the Australian national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, in which she performed the role of Mary Magdalene. The album was the highest-selling album in Australia in 1992, certified four times platinum.^[5] Two singles were released from the album, including "Everything's Alright" (with John Farnham and Jon Stevens), which peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA charts.^[6] Ceberano won a Logie Award for Most Popular Music Video in 1993 for "Everything's Alright". "I Don't Know How To Love Him" was the second single and won Ceberano another nomination for Best Female Artist in 1993. Ceberano travelled to New York and recorded a number of songs which were to appear of an album with the working title of Globe. The album was scrapped by label Elektra Records. However, a number of recordings from this session appears on her 1996 album Blue Box.

Ceberano followed this success with her own late-night cabaret-style show on ABC TV called Kate Ceberano and Friends (1993-1994), the album from which went gold, peaking at No. 19 in 1994.^[7] In 1996 she released her next solo album, Blue Box, which also went gold and saw her nominated for another Best Female Artist at the ARIA awards.^[8] In 1997 she wrote and released what has become an Australian pop classic, "Pash", a three-minute pop song which went platinum and established Ceberano as one of Australia's leading female songwriters. The subsequent album Pash went to No. 5 on the ARIA charts, was certified gold and produced the singles "Pash" and "Love Is Alive". Richard Wilkins of the Today Show referred to her as "Australian Music Royalty".

Ceberano returned with her 2003 studio album The Girl Can Help It. In 2007, Ceberano saluted the 1980s with her cover album Nine Lime Avenue, which was recorded in three weeks while she was on television show Dancing with the Stars. The album was a commercial success, peaking at No. 4^[9] and gave Ceberano her first 'top 5' album since 1989's "Brave". Ceberano toured in late 2007 before recording another cover album, released in 2008, titled So Much Beauty, which peaked at No. 9 in Australia.

Ceberano released three albums in 2009: the first is a collaborative jazz album that was recorded with Mark Isham, titled "Bittersweet", which earned Ceberano a nomination at the 2009 ARIA awards; the second, an indie album with Dallas Cosmas, titled Dallas et Kate; and in November, Ceberano released her first Christmas album, simply titled Merry Christmas, which was certified gold.^[10]

In 2010, Ceberano was crowned Queen of Moomba, while Molly Meldrum was crowned King.^[11]

Ceberano launched a studio album in August 2013, titled Kensal Road, and it was her first album of new material in ten years. The album was preceded by the single release "Magnet" and Ceberano toured nationally in October 2013.^[12][13]

Television

In 1993, Ceberano hosted her own late-night cabaret-style show on ABC TV called Kate Ceberano And Friends.^[14]

In 2005, Ceberano was a judge in the inaugural season of X Factor Australia, along with Mark Holden and John Reid, before joining Dancing with the Stars in 2007, of which she was crowned champion. Late that year, Ceberano participated in series 2 of It Takes Two, where she mentored Australian swimmer Daniel Kowalski. She returned in 2008 for series 3 and mentored Australian Football League (AFL) player Russell Robertson, who would go on to be runner-up.

In January 2008, Ceberano's family tree and career was documented in SBS's Who Do You Think You Are? (series 1/ episode 2).

From January 2011, Ceberano was a presenter on the Nine Network's Getaway television series, as well as a relief host for Kerri-Anne Kennerley's morning program also on the Nine Network. In November 2011, Ceberano was announced as the host of the Nine Network's television series Excess Baggage.^[15]

Film

Ceberano made her acting debut in a feature film, playing Jenna in Dust Off The Wings, directed by her husband, Lee Rogers.^[16] In 1999, Ceberano starred in the film Molokai: The Story of Father Damien, which was directed by Paul Cox.^[17]

Other work

As the Berlei Curves ambassador, Ceberano launched the debut Berlei Curves Spring Summer 2010 collection and remained in this role in September 2012.^[18]

Ceberano was appointed the Victorian Ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. As the Victorian Ambassador, she helps to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer. Ceberano explained: "I like to be as involved as I possibly can in causes I feel strongly about. Yes I am a musician, but if I can do more to help others then I will."^[2]

From August to October 2012, Ceberano played Bloody Mary in the Bartlett Sher directed revival of the musical South Pacific throughout the Australian east coast. The show also featured Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Lisa McCune and Eddie Perfect.^[19]

In April 2014, Ceberano released her memoir, I'm Talking: My Life, My Words, My Music, through book publisher Hachette Australia. Ceberano co-wrote the book with Tom Gilling.^[20]

On 3 October 2015, Ceberano sang the Australian national anthem prior to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia.^[21]

Personal life

In February 1996, Ceberano married Lee Rogers after an almost four-year engagement. They married at Mietta O'Donnell's Queenscliff Hotel on Port Phillip Bay.^[22]

On 6 January 2004, Ceberano gave birth to her first child, a daughter named "Gypsy".^[23][24] Ceberano is a Scientologist.^[25]

Discography

Albums

With the band I'm Talking

• 1986 Bear Witness (lead singer in the band I'm Talking) – Platinum, AUS No. 14

With her septet and sextet

• 1987 Kate Ceberano and her Septet (as Kate Ceberano & Her Septet) - AUS No. 17
• 1990 Like Now (as Kate Ceberano & Her Sextet) – AUS No. 18

With singer Wendy Matthews

• 1988 You've Always Got The Blues (with Wendy Matthews) – Platinum, AUS No. 7

Solo

• 1989 Brave – 3× Platinum, AUS No. 2
• 1991 Think About It! – AUS No. 24
• 1992 Jesus Christ Superstar Cast Album
• 1992 Open the Door: Live at Mietta's (Australian indie released, credited as "Jex Saarelaht with Kate Ceberano" through Ziga Zuga)
• 1994 Kate Ceberano and Friends AUS No. 19
• 1996 Blue Box AUS No. 18
• 1997 Pash – AUS No. 23
• 1999 True Romantic: The Best of Kate Ceberano – Platinum,^[26] AUS No. 9
• 2003 The Girl Can Help It
• 2004 19 Days in New York — AUS No. 53
• 2004 The Definitive Collection (re-release of True Romantic: The Best of Kate Ceberano)
• 2006 Kate Ceberano Live with the WASO
• 2007 Nine Lime Avenue – Gold,^[27] AUS No. 4
• 2008 So Much Beauty^[28] – AUS No. 9
• 2009 Dallas et Kate (Australian indie released with Dallas Cosmas through Prototype Musique)
• 2009 Bittersweet (with Mark Isham) AUS No. 90
• 2009 Merry Christmas – Gold,^[29] AUS No. 17
• 2013 Kensal Road AUS No. 23
• 2015 Lullaby (Australian indie release with Nigel MacLean through MacLean/Ceberano Records)

Soundtrack appearances

• 1992 Jesus Christ Superstar (as Mary Magdalene) AUS No. 1

Singles

Awards / highlights

ARIA Awards

Ceberano has been nominated nine times for the ARIA Award for Best Female Artist, winning twice. Only Kylie Minogue has been nominated more times for this award.

Helpmann Awards

Other awards

• 2014 InStyle – Women of Style Awards Nomination – Arts & Culture
• 2013 Ruby Award – Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Kate Ceberano – Artistic Director – Contribution to the Arts and Culture of SA
• 2013 Nomination "Best Supporting Actress" – Bloody Mary – Sydney Theatre Awards
• 2004 Nominated "Female Artist of the Year" Secondary Radio USA
• 1999 Outstanding Achievement in the Arts in Asia – Business Asia Awards
• 1994 Peoples Choice Awards – Favourite Female Singer (record 3rd time)
• 1993 Peoples Choice Awards – Best Female Artist
• 1993 Logie Award Most Popular Music Video JCS
• 1992 Peoples Choice Awards – Favourite Female Singer
• 1992 Peoples Choice Award – Favourite Female Singer
• 1990 MO Awards – Jazz Performer of the Year
• 1990 MO Awards Female Rock – Performer of the Year
• 1990 MO Awards – Contemporary Conert
• 1989 Monte Carlo World Music Awards – Highest Selling Australian Artist
• 1987 Coca Cola Australia Music Award – Most Popular Female Performer
• 1987 Asian Popular Song Contest – Winner
• 1986 Countdown Awards – Best Female Artist
• 1985 Countdown Awards – Best Female Artist
• 1984 Countdown Awards – Countdown Award Best Debut Single – I'm Talking – Trust Me
• 1983 Battle of the Bands – Winner Expozay (Kate Ceberano Lead Singer)
• 1981 Winner "Search for Star"

Film and television

Films

• 1986 Love Della (short film)^[33]
• 1987 "Australian Made: The Movie"
• 1989 Arguing the Toss of a Cat (telemovie), Director: Christine Sammers
• 1997 Dust Off the Wings (feature film), Director: Lee Rogers
• 1999 Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (feature film), Director: Paul Cox
• 1999 Opening theatrical sequence for Sydney's Fox Studios, Director: Baz Luhrmann

Television highlights

• The X Factor (Australia) (Channel 10, 2005)
• Dancing with the Stars (Channel 7, 2007) — winner of series 6
• It Takes Two (Channel 7, 2007-2008) — runner-up of series 3
• Who Do You Think You Are? (SBS, Series 1/episode 2, 2008)
• Neighbours (Channel 10, 2010)
• Getaway (Channel 9, 2011–present)
• The Living Room (Channel 10, 17 July 2015)

Charity work and activism

• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• Amnesty International
• Chanel 7 Telethon Trust
• Sacred Heart Mission
• Make a Wish Foundation
• Variety
• Cancer and Wellness Centre
• Marrysville & Triangle Charity
• CARE Australia
• Police Blue Commission Foundation
• Susan Alberti Charitable Foundation

Ceberano joined other Australian public figures in support of the "Oscar's Law" campaign. Initiated in 2010, the campaign protests the factory farming of companion animals (the campaign is named after a dog named "Oscar") and a prominent slogan reads, "Break The Puppy Trade—Don't buy puppies from pet shops". Other advocates include Mick Molloy (comedian), Missy Higgins (musician) and Paul Dempsey (musician).^[34]

References

• S2D6.com, Kate Ceberano's "So Much Beauty" on iTunes
• Yahoo.com, It Takes Two official website
• Kate Ceberano at the Internet Movie Database
• Tangledmagazine.com, Interview April 2008
• Kate Ceberano at Discogs.com

External links

• Official website