Kaïa Kater
Kaïa Kater is a Montreal-born Grenadian-Canadian artist whose jazz-fuelled voice, deft banjo playing and lyrical songwriting have earned widespread acclaim. Drawing on influences rooted in Quebec, the Caribbean and Appalachia, her work reflects a rich personal lineage shaped by folk traditions, her Grenadian heritage, and time spent immersed in Appalachian music in West Virginia.
Her 2024 album Strange Medicine — co-produced with Joe Grass — celebrates the power of women and oppressed people throughout history while offering moments of deep self-reflection and reinvention. The album earned Kaïa the 2025 JUNO Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, alongside nominations for the Polaris Music Prize and International Folk Awards. Featuring collaborators including Taj Mahal, Allison Russell and Aoife O’Donovan, the record expands her sound through cinematic arrangements and bold storytelling.
Equally recognised for her work in film, Kaïa won a Canadian Screen Award for her original music for The Porter (BET+/CBC) and contributed songs to My Dead Friend Zoe (2024). She has toured extensively across North America, the UK and Europe, performing at festivals including Newport Folk, Celtic Connections and Reeperbahn.
