Romy's interest in music began when she was a little girl, as she'd eavesdrop on the cool tunes her parents would play at their cocktail parties. As soon as she figured out how to use a turntable, Romy was spinning classics from her mom's jazz and blues collection. Among her earliest influences were Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Little Romy

Romy’s musical career began back in 1988, when she teamed up with piano playing pal A.J. Croce to form the eclectic Romy Kaye and the Swingin’ Gates. The Swingin’ Gates were a hit with the burgeoning swing scene, playing venues like the elegant U.S.Grant Hotel, the Casbah, the Belly Up Tavern and Croce’s Top Hat. The Gates split up three short years later when A.J. went solo and Romy went Rockabilly.

From L.A. clubs like the Derby and the Blue Saloon to their hometown stomping grounds at the Casbah, The Shapiro’s rocked audiences with their original western-swing-meets-rockabilly flair. One of Romy’s favorite gigs was when the Shapiro’s opened for John Doe (X, the Knitters) and John invited Romy up to sing “Wrecking Ball” with him.

Romy in 2001

The next year, Romy moved to New York City to pursue her jazz roots. During her three year sojourn as a Manhattanite, Romy performed in clubs such as Deanna’s, Zinc Lounge, Fez, CBGB’s and the Knitting Factory. Romy also worked with the hauntingly twangy group now known as Big Lazy.

After traveling through Europe for several months, Romy returned to San Diego and formed another country-swing band called Romy Kaye and the All-Nighters, as she continued to pursue her love for jazz with her trio on the side. It was this jazz side project that caught the ear of ex- Beat Farmer, Buddy Blue. Romy teamed up with Buddy’s band for several years. She wrote one song for his Dipsomania CD and recorded several more. She toured with the band throughout the Southwest, including the 1999 Hootenanny Festival.

Romy left Buddy's group to work with her trio and recorded her solo CD, My Mother’s Daughter in 2001. The Romy Kaye Trio headlined the San Felipe Jazz Festival, 2000 and the Ensenada Jazz Festival in 2003. Romy Kaye recently relocated to New Orleans, LA where she continues to sing her heart out.

After Blue's death in 2006, Romy recorded three songs for a tribute album with new orleans guitarist West Bank Mike.

She has played at Mimi's in the Marigny with folks from the Delta Royale Trio as well as the New Orleans Cotton Mouth Kings.

Romy has recorded an album with songwriter Craig Cortello, under the name SONOMA (Spirit of New Orleans Music Alliance)

Currently she sings with the Brent Walsh Jazz Trio at the Old Point Bar. Romy also writes and sings with the acoustic collaboration know as Pony Space, with fellow band mates Caleb Guillotte (Dead Eye Dick), Craig Caliva and Elisabeth Gill.