Carol Kidd

"Carol Kidd is the best kept secret of British jazz" Frank Sinatra

"Her control is thrilling.... she is world class" Cleo Laine

Early Years
Singing professionally at the age of 15 Carol Kidd joined the West Coast Jazz Band. During that five year period she met and married their trombonist George Kidd, still a formidable name in Scottish jazz circles. The band appeared along with many well known names such as Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and the Alex Welsh band, and also made guest appearances on local radio.

A Change of Direction
When the so-called traditional jazz boom faded, Carol started working in cabaret and the clubs. However it wasn't long before she realised that this kind of work wasn't for her and she gave up singing for about four years.

In the mid-seventies the well known Glasgow musician and band leader Jimmy Feighan coaxed her out of retirement and asked her to sing at his Saturday lunchtime venue. She stayed for seven years. During this time a musical association with the pianist Sandy Taylor developed. Along with drummer Murray Smith and bassist Alex Moore the present trio was established, and remains the mainstay of her backing to this day.

Popular Acclaim
A television appearance on the Annie Ross Jazz Series caught the attention of the late Pat Smythe who arranged a two week stint at Ronnie Scott's Club.

Carol Kidd's best know admirers include Frank Sinatra, who personally invited her to open for him at his Scottish shows. Tony Bennett caught a performance at Ronnie's and enthused: "Where have you been?! You should be world famous!"

In recent years such notables as George Chisholm, Buck Clayton, Eddie Thomson, Humphrey Lyttelton, Cliff Hardie, Bob Brookmeyer and Martin Taylor have been pleased to work alongside and enthuse about her singing.