Katie Cilluffo and friends bring cabaret jazz to the White Horse

Hendersonville soprano Katie Cilluffo’s expansive resume includes opera, musical theater, bluegrass, jazz and pop, but her jazz diva persona takes center stage at the White Horse Black Mountain at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17 when she appears as part of the venue’s ongoing commitment to presenting quality vocal jazz. 

Originally from Michigan, Cilluffo studied vocal performance at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan with a concentration in opera.

Since moving to Western North Carolina the versatile Cilluffo has performed with the Asheville Lyric Opera, Flat Rock Playhouse, Parkway Playhouse and more. She also fronts the Belle Tones, an a cappella trio specializing in 1940s Andrews Sister harmonies and frequently sings with Michael Jefry Stevens’ Mountain Chamber Jazz Ensemble. In addition to jazz and pop gigs, the singer does regular classical recitals.  

An amazing singer needs amazing accompanists. The guitar chair for her gigs is frequently occupied by multi-instrumentalist Bill Altman, Cilluffo’s partner in music and life.

The two often perform as a duo, and Altman’s extensive experience in jazz, rock, blues and alternative bands means the music can take many directions. Bill is also works as music director and house musician for both locations of the Flat Rock Playhouse.