Biography

b. Sacramento, California, USA. Raised in Davis, California, Webster learned to play piano and saxophone but was chiefly interested in singing. One of her first professional jobs was as lead singer with Mumbo Gumbo, a California band. Her strong and soulful vocals quickly marked her out as someone to look out for and before long she began a solo career. Especially notable from the start was her repertoire, much of which she wrote herself. Webster’s first own-name recordings, with their strong hints of the blues, brought her into the hazy ground between R&B and country and with 2004’s Ten Thousand Miles she staked a strong claim for serious attention as a bluegrass player. On this album, she was co-credited with her sister, Cassie, and Scott Nygaard. Among artists with whom Webster has recorded are Darrel Angar, Steve Berlin, Nina Gerber, Jackie Greene, Barbara Lamb, Mike Marshall and Scott Nygaard, all of whom appear on her bluegrass album. She has also worked with Asleep At The Wheel and has opened concerts by the Band, Los Lobos and Lucinda Williams. With many original songs in her repertoire, Webster has also begun making a confident mark as a songwriter and has had her work taken up by the Band. She was recognized for this aspect of her career in 2005 when she received Gibson Guitar Awards as Best New Singer Songwriter and as New Musician.