Kay Kostopoulos is a jazz vocalist, seasoned actress, and 25-year Stanford lecturer in Business and Theatre.    She brings a uniquely emotional and theatrical edge to her music. Her style fuses swing, standards, blues, bop, Latin rhythms, and original compositions, all through a Mediterranean-tinted lens with exotic flair.

Think serpentine soprano flourishes, finger cymbals, and vocal range with texture, passion, and presence. Audiences are captivated by her exotic energy and lyrical storytelling in every performance.

Enchanting soundscapes: Dive into a style blending theatrical depth, Mediterranean soul, and jazz mastery.  A voice that distinguishes: Critics praise her “lush and sensuous three-octave vocal range” and emotional delivery.  Magical stagecraft: With a background in theater, Kay brings drama, warmth, and presence to every song.

Kay performs bicoastally in San Francisco and New York City.   She and legendary saxophonist Noel Jewkes have been featured at premiere venues and jazz festivals all around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, Vallejo, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Fillmore Jazz Festivals. Their album, "Exotica", a Mediterranean Jazz Journey, received rave reviews, and was honored by the Stanford Humanities celebration. In New York City she has performed at 54 Below, Arthur's Tavern, Bryant Park, Birdland, Pangea, the Stuyvesant Cove Music Festival, 5 Spot Jazz, and many other venues. 

Kay’s upcoming release “Black Olive in the Big Apple” features some of the finest on the NYC jazz scene.   Arranged by Grammy-nominated pianist John DiMartino; and with Grammy winning reed player, Peter Brainin,; bassist, Sean Conly and Grammy winner, drummer, Vince Cherico.

July 20, 2026

Michael Doherty’s Music Log

“Tender and intimate, a tremendous vocal performance…”

https://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2026/07/brief-notes-on-new-jazz-releases.html

July 10, 2026

Papatamus Redux by Abe Goldstien

“You can hear vocalist Kay Kostopoluos’ theatrical background in the way she brings the lyrics to life on All This Is Possible. You can hear her experience as a belly dancer in the way her serpentine soprano voice undulates with grace, ease and precision. Best of all, you can hear Kostopoulos in the company of musicians who really make All This Is Possible possible!”

https://papatamusredux.com/2026/07/10/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible/

July 9, 2026

Making a Scene by Dee Dee McNeil

“Kay Kostopoulos unveils a collection of eight jazz standards on her latest album, “All This is Possible”… sincere and emotional, she connects with the listener.”

https://www.makingascene.org/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible/

July 7, 2026

LA Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow

“’All This is Possible’ is a worthy effort from Kay Kostopoulos… a superior jazz singer… showing that a great deal is possible whenever she interprets a song…”

https://www.lajazzscene.com/waxing-poetic-reviews/

July 4, 2026

Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Nick Mondello

“A recording of depth, subtlety, and artistic uniqueness in which Kostopoulos dazzles… Across this session Kostopoulos demonstrates that she is a top-tier vocalist of significant versatility and honesty, with substantial musical and theatrical skills. She’s an enticing instrument throughout her entire vocal range, but when she dives lower, she is a siren enticing you to your demise. Her pitch sense, time, and dynamic control are sublime. All This Is Possible is a delectable, seductive performance by a masterful vocal artist and her outstanding crew.”

https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2026/07/album-review-kay-kostopoulos-all-this.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawS2XYtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFGcGFOZDFCamc3ckt5M01vc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm5rwBzCwsYCAKI6Rl2FAmz_x5vWVOOe3VWUCTTEzCHX-W2z67x3womIR9dY_aem_Yh0AMWoDNsMwG7oMHDYPqQ#more

July 2, 2026

The Jazz Page by D. Glenn Daniels

“On All This Is Possible, vocalist Kay Kostopoulos delivers a graceful and deeply personal recording that reflects both her lifelong devotion to jazz and the Mediterranean influences that have become her signature artistic voice. Kostopoulos sings with warmth, elegance and emotional clarity, bringing fresh life to well-known compositions without sacrificing their character. The result is a sophisticated session that honors the jazz tradition while quietly expressing the optimism and artistic renewal suggested by its title.”

https://thejazzpage.com/album/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible/

June 13, 2026

JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran

“Kostopoulos has a gift for character and interpretive insight, balancing playful charm with subtle theatricality and rhythmic nuance…” 

“An insightful, crafty storyteller, uncovering fresh narrative possibilities in material that spans decades, genres and traditions.”

“All This Is Possible traverses romance, humor, introspection, theatrical expression and jazz invention. What unifies this diverse repertoire is Kostopoulos herself—a true renaissance woman whose wide-ranging experiences enrich every phrase and whose commitment to unique, diverse expression gives the album its distinctive voice.”

https://www.jwvibe.com/single-post/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible-black-olive-jazz

June 12, 2026

Jazz Chill

“With her lush, expressive voice, Kostopoulos continues to bring fresh perspective to classic material. All This Is Possible is an album that honors heritage, celebrates reinvention, and affirms the limitless possibilities of artistic expression.”

https://jazzchill.blogspot.com/2026/06/kay-kostopoulos-celebrates-heritage.html

LA Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow July 7, 2026

“’All This is Possible’ is a worthy effort from Kay Kostopoulos… a superior jazz singer… showing that a great deal is possible whenever she interprets a song…”

https://www.lajazzscene.com/waxing-poetic-reviews/

Kay Kostopoulos
All This Is Possible
(Black Olive Jazz)

Kay Kostopoulos, who taught at Stanford for quite a few years and has worked as an actress, is a superior jazz singer who in recent times has settled in New York City. All This Is Possible is her fourth recording as a leader following Black Magic, View From Telegraph Hill, and Exotica. The vocalist is joined by pianist John DiMartino, bassist Sean Conly, drummer Vince Cherico and, on various numbers, Peter Brainin and her old friend Noel Jewkes both doubling on tenor and soprano.

The set begins with Ms. Kostopoulos singing “Lover.” The instrumentalists switch the tune to “Diggin’ For Diz” (which has the same chord changes) and the two melodies eventually are played at the same time. The singer displays her beautiful voice on “Never Let Me Go” and the jazz waltz “I’m All Smiles” (which has some fine soprano playing by Brainin). Her superior ballad singing is showcased on “Mad About The Boy” which begins with some brief spoken word. Following are Charlie Parker’s “Segment,” McCoy Tyner’s “Search For Peace,” (the latter two songs feature her lyrics), an ironic rendition of “I Enjoy Being A Girl,” and a tender trio version (with piano and Jewkes’ tenor) of “More Than You Know.” DiMartino is a major asset throughout the program whether as a soloist or a tasteful accompanist, and the two saxophonists have opportunities to take concise solos on several of the numbers.

All in all, this is a worthy effort from Kay Kostopoulos (available from www.blackoliverjazz.com), showing that a great deal is possible whenever she interprets a song.

Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Nick Mondello Saturday, July 04, 2026

Album Review: Kay Kostopoulos – All This Is Possible (Black Olive Jazz)

Kay Kostopoulos (vocals); Noel Jewkes, Peter Brainin (tenor/soprano sax); John DiMartino (piano); Sean Conly (bass); Vince Cherico (drums)

​"Kostopoulos and her premier team of New York Killer Cats deliver eight impeccably performed, marvelously produced and arranged entries deliver  from the GAS, Charlie Parker, and Broadway. It is a recording of depth, subtlety, and artistic uniqueness in which Kostopoulos dazzles.​"

“A recording of depth, subtlety, and artistic uniqueness in which Kostopoulos dazzles… Across this session Kostopoulos demonstrates that she is a top-tier vocalist of significant versatility and honesty, with substantial musical and theatrical skills. She’s an enticing instrument throughout her entire vocal range, but when she dives lower, she is a siren enticing you to your demise. Her pitch sense, time, and dynamic control are sublime. All This Is Possible is a delectable, seductive performance by a masterful vocal artist and her outstanding crew.”

https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2026/07/album-review-kay-kostopoulos-all-this.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawS2XYtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFGcGFOZDFCamc3ckt5M01vc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm5rwBzCwsYCAKI6Rl2FAmz_x5vWVOOe3VWUCTTEzCHX-W2z67x3womIR9dY_aem_Yh0AMWoDNsMwG7oMHDYPqQ#more 

JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran July 2, 2026

Few vocalists could convincingly unite Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Noel Coward, Rodgers & Hammerstein and the Great American Songbook on a single eight-track program. Yet on her eclectic fourth album All This Is Possible, Kay Kostopoulos moves through this remarkably diverse repertoire with such assurance that the stylistic leaps never feel forced. 

The Jazz Page by D. Glenn Daniels June 23, 2026

“On All This Is Possible, vocalist Kay Kostopoulos delivers a graceful and deeply personal recording that reflects both her lifelong devotion to jazz and the Mediterranean influences that have become her signature artistic voice. Kostopoulos sings with warmth, elegance and emotional clarity, bringing fresh life to well-known compositions without sacrificing their character. The result is a sophisticated session that honors the jazz tradition while quietly expressing the optimism and artistic renewal suggested by its title.”

 https://thejazzpage.com/album/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible/ Papatamus Redux by Abe Goldstien

“You can hear vocalist Kay Kostopoluos’ theatrical background in the way she brings the lyrics to life on All This Is Possible. You can hear her experience as a belly dancer in the way her serpentine soprano voice undulates with grace, ease and precision. Best of all, you can hear Kostopoulos in the company of musicians who really make All This Is Possible possible!”

 https://papatamusredux.com/2026/07/10/kay-kostopoulos-all-this-is-possible/

Kay Kostopoulos: All This Is Possible

Published by

Abe Goldstein

July 10, 2026

BLACK OLIVE JAZZ (RELEASED JUNE26, 2026)

Being a belly dancer requires a certain skill set — agility, musicality and stage presence. So, it’s no surprise that vocalist Kay Kostopoulus exhibits all those traits on All This Is Possible. Kostopoulos toured as a belly dancer for 18 years! Her serpentine soprano voice undulates with grace, ease and precision on a set of eight familiar tunes ranging from an upbeat take on Rodgers & Hart’s “Lover,” which she juxtaposes with Dizzy Gillespie’s “Diggin’ for Diz” to the heartfelt lyrics of Evans & Livingston’s “Never Let Me Go.” Her deep understanding of rhythms, phrasing and accents speaks to her sense of musicality. Consider her original lyrics for Charlie Parker’s “Segment,” lyrics that match perfectly with the intricate nature of the tune. Reciting the opening lines of Noel Coward’s “Mad About That Boy” captures the poetic nature of the lyrics and tune.

One can easily imagine Kostopoulus’ ability to enthrall an audience with her personal approach to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” complete with finger cymbals and an ethereal vocalese coda. Her intimate rendition of Vincent Youman’s “More Than You Know” is made even more intimate with a sublime piano vocal introduction and interlude. Pianist John DiMartino, saxophonists Noel Jewkes and Peter Brainin, bassist Sean Conly and drummer Vince Cherico are the perfect dance partners for All This Is Possible.  The two saxophonists swirl around Kostopoulos on “Lover” and “I Like Being a Girl”.  Brainin embraces her on “Never Let Me Go” while Jewkes’ obligatos on “Prayer for Peace” are step-in-step with Kostopoulos’ lyrics and lyricism. John DiMartino’s’ sensitive and creative playing throughout the session is what makes him a highly sought after accompanist for vocalists. Conly’s solo is the highlight on “Prayer for Peace” and Cherico’s rhythms glide, drive and guide the tasty arrangements by DiMartino, Jewkes and Kostopoulos.  Belly dance has a magical way of drawing people in with its mix of grace, confidence and fun, and that’s exactly what you will experience on a CD featuring a wonderful singer who used to be a professional belly dancer.

BOTTOM LINE: You can hear vocalist Kay Kostopoluos’ theatrical background in the way she brings the lyrics to life on All This Is Possible. You can hear her experience as a belly dancer in the way her serpentine soprano voice undulates with grace, ease and precision. Best of all, you can hear Kostopoulos in the company of musicians who really make All This Is Possible possible!