Grammy Winner Catherine Russell to Perform at Zankel Hall This November

Grammy Award-winning jazz and blues vocalist Catherine Russell comes to Zankel Hall on Friday, November 3 at 9:00 p.m. with a performance celebrating the golden age of Harlem. Journeying through the heart of the great African American songbook, Russell channels legendary singers like Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington with the swinging music of Fats Waller, Benny Carter, Irving Berlin, and others.

Hailed by The Wall Street Journal as "the best blues and jazz singer going today," Russell is joined on this program by Matt Munisteri on guitar, Mark Shane on piano, and Tal Ronen on bass. This concert is presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with Absolutely Live Entertainment LLC.

Vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into musical royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist/composer/bandleader, and Louis Armstrong's long-time musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist/guitarist/bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Sy Oliver. Not surprisingly, considering her pedigree, Russell is a one of a kind musician and vocalist. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she embarked upon musical adventures with Carrie Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, and Rosanne Cash, among others, touring the world and appearing on over 200 albums.

Her 2006 debut album Cat, (World Village/Harmonia Mundi), garnered rave reviews, paving the way for her 2008 sophomore release, Sentimental Streak She also went on to win the prestigious German Record Critics' Award and a Living Blues magazine's critics' poll. Russell's third album, Inside This Heart of Mine, reached number one on JazzWeek and Roots Music Report's radio charts, while also charting on Billboard and reaching number one on I-Tunes jazz charts. A fourth album, Strictly Romancin' was released in February 2012, and was awarded Prix du Jazz Vocal (Vocal Album of The Year) by the French Jazz Academy, Grand Prix du Hot Club de France, and a Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording. Also in 2012, Catherine Russell won a Grammy Award as a featured artist on the soundtrack album for the HBO-TV series, Boardwalk Empire. In 2013, Russell contributed three songs to the soundtrack of the film, Kill Your Darlings. Her fifth solo album, Bring It Back, was released worldwide in February of 2014 on the Jazz Village label, receiving a 5-star review in DownBeat magazine. In September 2016, Catherine Russell released her 6th solo album, titled Harlem On My Mind, featuring songs from the Great African American Songbook, receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

With universal acclaim, Russell has performed across four continents. She's been a hit at major jazz festivals including Monterey, Newport, North Sea, JazzAscona, Montreal, Bern, Rochester International, Panama, Tanglewood, and at sold out venues like The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Scullers in Boston, The Dakota in Minneapolis, Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC, SFJazz in San Francisco, and Pasadena Pops in Los Angeles.

Her repertoire features a selection of gems from the 1920s through the present; vital interpretations, bursting with soul and humor. With an off-the-beaten-path song selection, sparkling acoustic swing, and a stunning vocal approach, Catherine Russell has joined the ranks of the greatest interpreters and performers of American Popular Song.

Program Information:

Friday, November 3 at 9:00 p.m.
Zankel Hall
Catherine Russell, Vocalist
Matt Munisteri, Music Director and Guitar
Mark Shane, Piano
Tal Ronen, Bass

HARLEM ON MY MIND

This concert and The Shape of Jazz series are made possible by The Joyce and George Wein Foundation in memory of Joyce Wein.

Presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with Absolutely Live Entertainment LLC.

Tickets, priced at $47 and $57, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, or online by visiting carnegiehall.org.

For more information on discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts. Artists, programs, and prices are subject to change.

Photo Credit: Brian Blauser