Biography

Detroit native Katrice Johnson was influenced by the sounds of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and funk.  At the age of six, she started singing in church, community, and school choirs.  Katrice soon began to study private voice along with piano and flute.

In 1995 Katrice left Detroit for North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC to study biology.  However, after winning a talent show in 1996, she was invited to audition for the NCCU Music Department   Soon Katrice began to study jazz under the direction of Dr. Ira Wiggins and Arnold George.  Katrice sang with the NCCU Touring Choir, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Jazz Combos.  She also studied classical voice with the late Dr. Lynn Bridges and Louise Toppin, developing healthy cross-genre technique and performing pieces in five languages.  Katrice has had the opportunity to perform and study with Denyce Graves, Grady Tate, Jimmy Heath, Jackie McLean, James Moody, Eve Cornelious, Clark Terry, Vanessa Rubin, Nneena Freelon, Nicholas Payton, Javon Jackson, and many more.  Katrice has performed at the Vienne Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Durham Jazz Vox Festival, and at the White House twice.

After graduating with an honors degree in music from North Carolina Central University, Katrice moved to Richmond, Virginia.  She currently records and performs with various artists and with her own ensembles.  Katrice's vocal style follows in the tradition of scat singers and the art of vocalise.