Jan. 20, 2012 | "Romance In The Dark" NPR Song of The Day from Strictly Romancin'
"With a voice that wails like a horn and whispers like the snake in the Garden of Eden, she's finally claiming her place in the pantheon of 21st-century jazz divas. "Romance in the Dark," from Strictly Romancin', shows how strong and sexy Russell can sound."
- Marc Silver, NPR

Dec. 01, 2011 | Grammy Nomination for Boardwalk Empire: Volume 1 (including Catherine Russell)!!!
Various Artists (including Catherine Russell singing "Crazy Blues") on the album "Boardwalk Empire: Volume 1" (Elektra) have been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. The album features music from the Award Winning HBO-TV series "Boardwalk Empire".

Nov. 22, 2011 | Catherine Russell's Strictly Romancin' scheduled for Feb 14, 2012 release
World Village/Harmonia Mundi is proud to announce the release of “STRICTLY ROMANCIN’”, jazz/blues vocalist CATHERINE RUSSELL’s fourth solo release for the label, on FEBRUARY 14, 2012.

Aug. 13, 2011 | Catherine Russell on Elektra Records "Boardwalk Empire" Soundtrack from HBO series
"BOARDWALK EMPIRE® VOLUME 1 - MUSIC FROM THE HBO® ORIGINAL SERIES" features music from the award winning TV show. The Prohibition-era soundtrack is comprised of original music from the 1920s exclusively rerecorded by top contemporary artists such as Regina Spektor, Loudon Wainwright III, Martha Wainwright, Catherine Russell, Nellie McKay, Leon Redbone, and Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, released on Elektra Records on September 13, 2011. Catherine Russell sings "Crazy Blues" with Mark Shane on piano.

Aug. 13, 2011 | Catherine Russell backs Michael Feinstein on PBS-TV Special airing August 2011
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy, a PBS-TV Special, is airing nationwide during August 2011, with backing vocals provided by The Fein-tones: Catherine Russell, Margaret Dorn, and LaTanya Hall.

Aug. 05, 2011 | Catherine Russell interviewed by Bill Lynch for The Charleston (WVA) Gazette
Catherine talks about her just completed forthcoming album, touring with Steely Dan, and more...

Jul. 02, 2011 | Catherine Russell provides backing vocals on Steely Dan Shuffle Diplomacy Tour 2011
"Steely Dan, that indefinable and technically sophisticated bundle of rock, jazz, and whatever else strikes the fancy of principals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, kicked off the "Shuffle Diplomacy" tour...with a group of band veterans who are as well known to the group's obsessive fan base as the Becker and Fagen themselves." - Joan K. Smith, Huffington Post

May. 19, 2011 | Catherine Russell featured on new cd: Walkin' & Swingin' Mary Lou Williams
Recorded at the 15th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival in May 2010 at The Kennedy Center, which marked the Centennial of the birth of bandleader, composer, and arranger Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981). Artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Virginia Mayhew, Catherine Russell, Sherrie Maricle, and Grace Kelly perform big band, trio, and small ensemble Williams hits-and hidden gems-such as "What's Your Story, Morning Glory?" and "In the Land of Oo Bla Dee", sung by Catherine Russell.

May. 08, 2011 | Wall Street Journal jazz pick by Will Friedwald
"There are a zillion reasons to love Catherine Russell...doing justice to the legacies of such icons as Fats Waller and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as many sub-styles of the blues, from the more formal "classic" mode of Bessie Smith ("Kitchen Man") to the jumping jive of Louis Jordan and Wynonie Harris ("Quiet Whiskey") and the hardcore Chicago style of Howlin' Wolf ("Spoonful")...her record sessions are populated with the best players of her time...all pause for the cause on her outstanding 2010 "Inside This Heart of Mine."

Apr. 29, 2011 | Catherine Russell finds her Voice: The Boston Globe profile by Andrew Gilbert
"With her 1,000-watt smile and playful stage banter, vocalist Catherine Russell may not seem the part, but she is jazz’s prodigal daughter. After a long, circuitous career path including stints with David Bowie, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Levon Helm, and Rosanne Cash, her return to the family fold has given jazz fans many a reason to rejoice. Mining a treasure trove of double entendre-laden blues, vintage jazz tunes, and Tin Pan Alley gems, the native New Yorker brings a visceral connection to old-time material, delivering the songs as if they were written yesterday, just for her."

Jan. 28, 2011 | Catherine Russell interviewed by Tad Hendrickson for Spinner
Catherine Russell Arrives Fashionably Late to the Solo Jazz Vocal Party, with "a beguiling mix of old-time jazz, early blues, swing and the great American songbook (in the broadest sense of the word)."

Jan. 04, 2011 | Catherine Russell's "Inside This Heart of Mine" a Best Album of 2010
Catherine Russell - "Inside This Heart of Mine" (World Village), has been showing up on many year end "Best of 2010" lists, including (partial list):

Village Voice (chosen as Best Vocal Album by Francis Davis, Andrew Gilbert,
Ron Wynn, Bob Porter, and more...)
Philadelphia City Paper (Top Ten Roots Albums of 2010)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Best 10 Jazz CDs)
Folk Roots /Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif (Top 10 of 2010)
Jazz Journalists Association (Best of pick by Marcia Hillman, Joe Lang, W. Royal Stokes, and more...)
Swiss Radio (Golden Apero Dozen)
Radio Europa Lisboa Portugal - As Vozes do Jazz (Vocal Album of The Year)
Le Hot Club de France (Best of 2010)
WBG0 Jazz 88.3FM (Best of 2010)
Ron Weinstock: In a Blue Mood (Outstanding new Jazz releases)
Groovacious Records, Cedar City, Utah (top 20 albums of 2010)

Dec. 11, 2010 | Swiss Radio DRS choses "Inside This Heart of Mine" Best Albums of 2010
Swiss Radio DRS has chosen Catherine Russell's album "Inside This Heart of Mine" among it's Golden Apero Dozen of Best of 2010.

Nov. 06, 2010 | Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR features Catherine Russell
NPR's longest running jazz program, Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz, devotes a full hour to Catherine Russell. Catherine is interviewed by Jon Weber and performs songs from her albums, accompanied by Mark Shane on piano. Launch related site to listen!

Oct. 28, 2010 | Catherine Russell at The Kennedy Center on NPR's JazzSet
Catherine Russell performs at the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC with Mark Shane - piano, Matt Munisteri - guitar, Lee Hudson - bass. Launch related site to listen in!

Oct. 27, 2010 | Catherine Russell reviewed in La Libre : Belgium
"a voice reminiscent of the great Abbey Lincoln." launch related site for full review

Oct. 23, 2010 | TV appearance nationwide in The Netherlands - Kunststof TV on NTR Nederland 2
On Sunday October 24, 2010, in the midst of a tour of The Netherlands and Belgium, Catherine Russell performed on the nationwide NTR: Nederland 2 TV show, Kunststof TV, performing the song "Troubled Waters" from her latest CD - Inside This Heart of Mine.

Sep. 20, 2010 | Catherine Russell profiled in new book by Nat Hentoff: At The Jazz Band Ball
Nat Hentoff's new book At The Jazz Band Ball: Sixty Years on the Jazz Scene includes a chapter devoted to Catherine Russell - "This Daughter of Jazz Is One Cool Cat".

Aug. 05, 2010 | Catherine Russell joins Dukes of September Rhythm Revue Tour
Catherine rejoins old friends Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, and Boz Scaggs for Dukes of September Rhythm Revue Tour. Catherine Russell and Carolyn Leonhardt-Escoffery sing as part of an all-star band.

Jul. 29, 2010 | Interview and Performance on Radio France RFI Musiques du Monde
Laurence Aloir interviews Catherine Russell on Radio France along with in studio performance by Catherine Russell and Mark Shane, recorded in Paris on July 7, 2010.

Jul. 15, 2010 | Catherine Russell featured on Riverwalk Jazz Public Radio shows!
Catherine Russell is the featured guest vocalist on the Public Radio series, Riverwalk Jazz, performing with Jim Cullum Jazz Band and piano legend Dick Hyman on two hour long specials + a third jam session show. The first show, Feelin The Spirit: The Luis Russell Story, honoring the legacy of Catherine's Dad, will air beginning June 24. The second show, All The Cats Join In: Catherine Russell In Concert, will air beginning July 15. The jam session show will air in September. Catherine sings selections from all three of her albums. The show can be heard on over 200 Radio Stations, XM/Sirius Real Jazz Channel on Sateliite Radio, and streaming worldwide on the Riverwalk Jazz web site.

Jul. 13, 2010 | Critics' Favorite at JazzAscona Festival 2010!
Following her first appearances at JazzAscona Festival, Catherine was voted Critics' Favorite as "the main jazz media in Europe, selected as favorite musician the talented vocalist and revelation of this year Catherine Russell."

Jul. 13, 2010 | Hot Club de France presents Catherine Russell with Discovery Award
Hot Club de France has awarded Catherine Russell with it's Prix Decouverte 2008 (Discovery Award) for her 2nd album, Sentimental Streak (World Village 468075).
The award was presented to Catherine at her concert at Sunside Jazz Club in Paris on July 7, 2010, by Hot Club de France president, Francois Debrosses.

May. 01, 2010 | Catherine Russell interviewed by Scott Simon on NPR Weekend Edition
Catherine Russell speaks with Scott Simon about her latest album, musical inspirations, and more...

Apr. 21, 2010 | Inside This Heart of Mine #1 on JazzWeek Chart !!!
Catherine Russell's new album, Inside This Heart of Mine has jumped to the #1 position on JazzWeek's Chart for national radio airplay, while also hitting #1 on Roots Music Report, I-Tunes, and Amazon's Jazz Album Charts !!!

Apr. 16, 2010 | Catherine Russell on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross
In celebration of the release this week of Catherine Russell's third album, Inside This Heart of Mine, NPR's Fresh Air rebroadcasts the interview and feature from 2008, along with songs from the new album. Host Terry Gross conducts an in depth interview illuminating Catherine's illustrious musical family and career.

Apr. 13, 2010 | Catherine Russell's 3rd album, Inside This Heart of Mine, now available!
Vocalist Catherine Russell’s 3rd album for World Village/Harmonia Mundi (468092), Inside This Heart of Mine was released on April 13, 2010.

Inside This Heart Of Mine showcases the ever-deepening interpretive wiles of Catherine Russell’s ripe, honey-dipped alto as she personifies the living heart and proud history of each of the songs that make up this set. This collection of 13 songs is tied together by the special place these songs hold inside the heart of Catherine Russell.

It's a heart that's warm and effusive, bluesy and erudite, bold yet vulnerable, passionate yet ethereal. Just listen to Cat's masterful reading of “Troubled Waters”, a seldom heard tune scored by the Duke Ellington Orchestra for both Ivey Anderson and Mae West, performed here as a sultry meditation. Then there's “We The People”, a never before covered Fats Waller tune from an originally unreleased recording, a tongue-in-cheek populist manifesto from the previous Great Depression, which implores legislators to provide “syncopation” as the surest way to “please the people.” The Spencer Williams languid blues melody, "Slow As Molasses", was originally recorded as an instrumental by Luis Russell in 1929 with his band The Jungle Town Stompers. Wordsmith Rachelle Garniez added lyrics just for these sessions, allowing Cat’s evocative vocal spin on the new creation, some 80 years following her Dad’s original version.

This decades spanning collection of songs, originally performed by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Peggy Lee, Maxine Sullivan, Howlin’ Wolf, Wynonie Harris, Fats Waller, and Catherine’s father, Luis Russell, draws from Vaudeville wit, Tin Pan Alley tune craft, New Orleans swagger, Swing Era sock, the European Cafe, Jump Blues jive, modal Delta Blues, and Django-esque swing, with an immediacy and a timeless quality that’s refreshingly oblivious to current “trends”. Here in you’ll find works by Hall of Fame Songwriters, like Andy Razaf, Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler, Alec Wilder, and Willie Dixon, as well as being introduced to newer Contemporary songs with an old-time vibe by Rachelle Garniez and producer, Paul Kahn.

Musical Director/Arranger/Guitarist/Banjoist, Matt Munisteri (Holly Cole, Little Jimmy Scott, Brock Mumford), assembled the cream of New York City based players for the sessions, including trumpet great Jon-Erik Kellso, who contributes arrangements, trombonist John Allred, and saxophone/clarinetist Dan Block. The rhythm section includes players from Catherine Russell’s road tested band, including stride and swing connoisseur Mark Shane on piano, Lee Hudson on bass, and Brian Grice on drums (Count Basie Orchestra, Eartha Kitt). Additional players on the album include legendary hipster Howard Johnson on tuba, Rachelle Garniez on accordion, Sara Caswell on violin, Neal Miner on bass, and Rob Garcia on drums.

Catherine Russell's Inside This Heart of Mine is a personal selection of gems from the 1920s through the Present; vital interpretations, bursting with soul and humor. Deepening the approach of her previous recordings -- an off-the-beaten-path song selection, sparkling small group acoustic swing, and stunning vocals -- with Inside This Heart Of Mine, vocalist Catherine Russell joins the ranks of the greatest interpreters and performers of American Popular Song.

Jan. 30, 2010 | Catherine Russell guests on Levon Helm's Grammy Award Winning Album - Electric Dirt
Catherine Russell appears as guest vocalist on the Grammy Award winning Levon Helm album -
Electric Dirt, on the Dr. Billy Taylor tune, "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free."

Jan. 17, 2010 | Catherine Russell featured on WHYY-TV's On Canvas Series
Catherine Russell is featured on the Emmy-winning TV series, On Canvas, WHYY's weekly performing arts series. The 30 minute program includes an interview plus an outdoor performance at Longwood Gardens Wine and Jazz Festival. Launch related site to view the show in it's entirety.

Jan. 11, 2010 | Putumayo Presents Rhythm and Blues
On February 9, 2010, Putumayo World Music releases it's first collection of Rhythm and Blues, featuring classics performed by first generation legends and rising stars of today’s retro R&B revival. Catherine Russell's version of "Put Me Down Easy" from her debut album, Cat, is included, along with tracks by James Hunter, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Keb' Mo', and more. Launch related site for full track listing.

Nov. 28, 2009 | NPR Discover Songs: The New Jazz Divas
Catherine Russell is one of 13 artists (along with Melody Gardot, Diana Krall, Madeleine Peyroux, Esperanza Spalding, Lizz Wright, and more) appearing on a newly released CD compilation titled The New Jazz Divas, the first installment of NPR's Discover Songs series. Launch related site for full track listing and purchasing details.

Oct. 24, 2009 | Catherine Russell performs on National TV in Holland
Catherine Russell kicked off her debut tour of Holland with a performance on the Dutch National TV show, VPRO Vrije Geluiden/Free Sounds, recorded at BIMhuis in Amsterdam. Catherine performed two songs as a duo with pianist Mark Shane, and was also interviewed as part of a 20 minute segment, which attracted a wide viewing audience.

Jan. 16, 2009 | Vocal Album of The Year 2008 - Sentimental Streak
Francis Davis, Grammy Award winning music writer and jazz critic for The Village Voice and The Atlantic has chosen Sentimental Streak by Catherine Russell as
Vocal Album of the Year for 2008 in the Third Annual Voice Jazz Critics Poll.

"...my vote went to Sentimental Streak by Catherine Russell, a veteran former backup singer who swings as if to the manner born (as well the daughter of Luis Russell should)."
- Francis Davis

Jan. 14, 2009 | Sentimental Streak Finaliste for Prix du Jazz Vocal in France
The Acadamie du Jazz in France has chosen Catherine Russell's Sentimental Streak album as a 2008 Finaliste for Prix du Jazz Vocal.

Dec. 29, 2008 | Catherine Russell in Concert on Mountain Stage: NPR Music
Catherine Russell performs a nationwide Radio Concert accompanied by pianist Mark Shane. Listen in by launching related site.

Nov. 17, 2008 | Catherine Russell honored in 15th Annual Critics' Poll in Living Blues Magazine
Living Blues Magazine has announced the winners of it's 2008 15th annual Living Blues Awards Critics' Poll. Catherine Russell has been chosen as "Artist Deserving More Attention."

Sep. 08, 2008 | Sentimental Streak wins German Record Critics' Award
Catherine Russell's recently released disc, "Sentimental Streak" on World Village, has been awarded the prestigious German Record Critics' Award. The jurors of this prestigious prize, which is awarded quarterly, judged the CD to be an artistically oustanding new release in the Jazz category and have thus included it in their Quarterly Critics' Choice.

Inaugurated in 1963 in order to set the "most rigorous standards for supreme achievement" in the field of recording, the award's jury comprises 114 music critics, writers and editors in the German-speaking countries who are actively involved in the assessment of CDs and DVDs. .

With its Quarterly Critics' Choice ("Bestenliste") the German Record Critics' Award recommends new releases which merit special attention either for the quality of interpretation or creativity, or for their value to the repertoire.

Aug. 05, 2008 | Catherine Russell on NPR's World Cafe with David Dye
Catherine Russell stops by the World Cafe with Host David Dye on August 5, 2008 to discuss her second album, Sentimental Streak. Catherine is hailed as "the real thing" by hard-to-please jazz critic, Nat Hentoff. She stands out as a versatile and thoughtful vocalist who always sheds an unexpected light on old standards and original compositions alike. On Sentimental Streak, blues and jazz classics are reinterpreted in a playful, yet soulful and highly personal way. Listen in by launching related site:

Feb. 07, 2008 | Catherine Russell on Conan O'Brien Monday Feb 11, 2008
Catherine Russell was the featured musical guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC-TV on Monday February 11, 2008, - the eve of the official release date of her new cd, Sentimental Streak, performing the Willie Dixon tune, "I Don't Care Who Knows".

Jan. 01, 2008 | Catherine Russell performs at Panama Jazz Festival Jan 2008, first visit to the homeland of her father, Jazz Legend, Luis Russell
“Ms. Russell is part of a noble jazz lineage. Her father, Luis Russell (1902-63), was a pianist and leader of one of the most impressive big bands on the early New York jazz scene after leading a group in New Orleans and moving to Chicago, where he worked with King Oliver, who gave Louis Armstrong his first big break.”
Nat Hentoff, The Wall Street Journal

“Luis Russell, a Panamanian jazz genius…who moved to New Orleans in 1919 at age 17…who famously collaborated with such first generation New Orleans jazzmen as clarinetist, Albert Nicolas, drummer Paul Barbarin, and the great Satchmo himself…”
Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune


Catherine Russell is a 2nd generation vocalist of Afro-Panamanian-American descent. In January of 2008, Catherine Russell and her band performed at the 5th annual Panama Jazz Festival, held in Panama City, Republic of Panama. The visit helped to celebrate the release (on February 12) of Ms. Russell’s 2nd album, Sentimental Streak, on the World Village label, and marked her first ever visit to Panama.

On her critically acclaimed debut album, Cat, released on the World Village label in 2006, Catherine Russell recorded “Back O Town Blues”, a song written by Luis Russell for Louis Armstrong, and a staple of Satchmo’s “live” shows for decades. Catherine performed her version on the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS-TV, and her recording reached the top 10 on I-Tunes Jazz Chart. Catherine’s new album, Sentimental Streak, opens with a reinvention of a Luis Russell arrangement of a Louis Armstrong recording from 1938, “So Little Time (So Much To Do)”, and also features a song co-written and recorded by Luis Russell, “I’ve Got That Thing.”

Catherine’s father, the late Luis Russell, was born in the Bocas Del Toro region of Panama. Trained as a musician while in Panama, Luis Russell won the Panama national lottery in 1919 and moved to New Orleans, where he fell in with the greatest players of Jazz, including Louis Armstrong and Joe “King” Oliver. Luis Russell soon moved to Chicago and recorded with King Oliver, and then on to New York City, where he formed the Luis Russell Orchestra. Pianist, Arranger, Bandleader, and Songwriter, Luis Russell sat at the center of several of the great bands of 20th Century Jazz and Popular music. By the late 1920’s, the Luis Russell Orchestra was considered one of hottest dance bands in New York, rivaling those of Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, and Fletcher Henderson. Louis Armstrong “borrowed” Luis Russell and his Orchestra for several legendary recordings, including “Mahogany Hall Stomp” from Armstrongs famed Hot 5’s and 7’s series, plus the original recording of Hoagy Carmichael’s all time classic composition “Rocking Chair”. In 1935, Louis Armstrong took over the Luis Russell Orchestra and retained Luis Russell as his musical director, an association that lasted for many years of recordings, film appearances, and tours.

Described as “Panama’s first bona fide jazz star”, by Howard Reich in The Chicago Tribune, Luis Russell is a revered figure in his native Panama. He was featured on a postage stamp, through the efforts of Mr. Ernesto Crouch of the Panama based Luis Russell Foundation, and the first Panama Jazz Festival in 2003 was dedicated to Luis Russell.

The Panama Jazz Festival was founded by Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez in order to exchange cultural experiences between the best musicians of the world and the Panamanian people. The Fifth Anniversary edition of the Panama Jazz Festival took on added significance by introducing Catherine Russell to her father’s homeland, carrying on a musical legacy and creating its next chapter.