The Society Hill Orchestra Ft. Kat Fontaine & Benny Barksdale, Jr.
Label: Society Hill / EMG
Release Date: July 2023
Format: Digita
Hailing from the small city of Chester, PA on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Kathleen Fontaine-Prattis (affectionately dubbed “Kat” by family and friends) exhibited extraordinary talent as a singer at an early age. As a teenager, Kat began performing and recording with a host of local artists. It was not long before she was sought out by countless musicians, singers and producers that revolved around Philadelphia at the time. As the Sound Of Philadelphia and the recording empire created by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff grew, so did the experience and reputation of Fontaine. By then, she earned her place on a very short list of the area’s top voices. Kat quickly moved up the ranks of Philadelphia’s booming music scene.
She performed or recorded lead and background vocals for the likes of Norman Harris, Bunny Sigler, Billy Paul, The Trammps, and The Temptations’ Ron Tyson to name just a few. Fontaine’s career would eventually lead her to share the stage with internationally renowned artists ranging from KC & The Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge, and Gloria Gaynor – to late greats like B.B. King and Ray Charles. Over the past few years Kat has been working with the legendary Philly Soul producer Butch Ingram abetted by the awesome talents of The Society Hill Orchestra. She released her first solo album to rave reviews and has been busy entertaining adoring audiences ever since. Back in the studio with Ingram and The Society Hill Orchestra, Kat teams up with the world-class saxophonist Benny Barksdale, Jr. for a superb rendition of the great Norman Conners soulful 1988 hit, “I Am Your Melody,” breathing new life into the time-honored classic.