Catherine Russell was born into a musical family. Luis Russell, her father, was the musical director for Louis Armstrong, and her mother, Carline Ray, had degrees from both the Manhattan School of Music and Julliard and performed with artists such as Wynton Marsalis.
Catherine developed an interest in music as a child. She loved the jazz recordings her father made in the 1920s and 1930s and enjoyed R&B from the 1940s and 1950s. She also loved country music artists such as Merle Haggard and Patsy Cline.
She began her career as a backup singer working with stars like Steely Dan and David Bowie. She was touring with Bowie when Paul Kahn, her business partner, urged her to make a solo album. She was uncertain but laid down a few tracks. Kahn invited record company executives to hear her, and she was signed by Harmonia Mundi. The songs she recorded earlier became “Cat,” her first album. She then transitioned from singing backup to a full-time jazz vocalist.
She has won numerous awards, including two Grammys, and will drop her eighth album soon.
A concert review says:
“Catherine Russell is my favorite sing of jazz. She is not only a remarkable singer, but a wonderful and enthusiastic entertainer. . . the concert was fabulous!”
Russell will appear at the Kleinhans Music Hall on Symphony Circle on May 13. Poster printing is often used to create publicity for events such as this.