[1][2] Initially performing cover versions of adult contemporary music she adopted a jazz style after hearing Chaka Khan on the album, Echoes of an Era (January 1982).
In 1995 she started regularly appearing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, including supporting Monty Alexander, which led to recording sessions in April 1997.
[4] AllMusic's Dave Nathan declared that Kerr "gives an honest and ardent rendition of all the tunes (both ballads and up-tempo numbers) she sings, showing great respect for the lyrics.
"[4] Ian Carr, in The Rough Guide to Jazz, described her vocals "[she] is superbly versatile and can handle any kind of song with total conviction.
[6] Other musicians used on Trudy include Acker Bilk on clarinet (and co-lead vocals on one track), Mornington Lockett on soprano saxophone and Nick Weldon on piano.
[7] Kerr released her third album, Day Dream, in 2000, using Gascoyne on double bass, Guy Barker on trumpet, Sebastian de Krom on drums and Mulgrew Miller on piano.
A lovingly crafted selection of songs beautifully sung and flawlessly played"[12] In late 2007 Kerr toured the UK with her husband Geoff Gascoyne’s project “Keep it to yourself”.
London Jazz news stated "Delivering Contemplation with a sweet, poignant delicacy and wonderfully flexible sound, the singer demonstrates that she has always been a remarkable talent, and is still at the top of her game.
"[17][18] Kerr has collaborated with fellow jazz musicians including Jamie Cullum,[13] Georgie Fame, Jan Lundgren, Bob Dorough,[19] Michael Garrick, Tom Cawley and Jim Mullen.
[5] Kerr lived with her older sister Jane and younger brother Andrew in the western suburbs of Brisbane, where they were raised by their mother, Joy Seib.
After leaving school Kerr began a two-year residency at “Neptunes in the Valley” a large Brisbane restaurant where she performed all genres of music but was introduced to jazz repertoire.