Catherine Russell Concert and Festival Review Clips

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, July 1-2, 2008, Place des Arts, opening for Steely Dan

"Steely Dan's Think Fast tour selling out two nights at Place des Arts' Salle 3000-seat Wilfrid-Pelletier theater, combined with the festival's broad international audience, makes getting the opening act slot a very high visibility gig. Singer Catherine Russell's set was high on quality and more than a little retro on material...a fine, relaxed opener that set the mood for an audience clearly pumped to be there to see The Dan...exhibiting a strong voice and solid interpretive skills on a set that included material ranging from classic Hoagy Charmichael to early Grateful Dead. Russell's delivery was emotive without going over the top, and she engaged the audience with a playful presence. With the world filled with female jazz singers, Catherine Russell's song choices were what separated her from the crowd. Her opening performance for Steely Dan was enjoyable, and should garner her some new fans along the way."
John Kelman, AllAboutJazz.com

Rochester International Jazz Festival, Kilbourn Hall, June 21, 2008

"the knockout show of last year's jazz festival...vocalist with vintage appeal Catherine Russell."
Catherine's back
"...Russell won over the overflow crowds with her effusive personality and evocative vocals that made longtime jazz enthusiasts sigh: "Ella's back."
Jeff Spevak, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle


Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival at The Kennedy Center,
May 15, 2008

"vocalist Catherine Russell's standout performance...the evening belonged to Russell, a wonderfully charismatic performer with a show-stopping voice and an unabashedly old-fashioned repertoire. She paid tribute to Bessie Smith ("Kitchen Man"), Dinah Washington ("My Man's an Undertaker") and Pearl Bailey ("I'm Lazy, That's All") with the requisite power, sass and charm."
Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

"Vocalist Catherine Russell followed by taking it up a notch or three with her highly entertaining set of off-the-beaten-track ballads, blues and novelty numbers. Backed by a hard-swinging trio, Russell got big laughs with her playful timing and suggestive double entendres on Bessie Smith’s “Kitchen Man” and Dinah Washington’s “My Man’s An Undertaker.” She also demonstrated finesse and hip phrasing on Rachelle Garniez’s “Broken Nose” and “There’s So Little Time,” written by her late father Luis Russell for Louis Armstrong. By the end of her set, Russell had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. This lady’s got the goods."
Larry Applebaum, JazzTimes

Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA, March 1, 2008 opening for Levon Helm

"In a sensational opening set, Catherine Russell proved to be one of the most dynamic, ruggedly powerful live acts in modern roots music...she consistently found the hot center of both jazz and blues."
Daniel Gewertz, Boston Herald

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, NY, NY January 12, 2008

"Russell exhibited a stunning control of dynamics and embodied soulfulness. She swayed and danced gently as she threw herself fully into the lyrics, alternately belting and finessing as required. She was masterful at conveying mood."
Jeff Tamarkin, Jazztimes.com

Cabaret Convention, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Rose Hall, NY, NY

"A real surprise was Catherine Russell who, with "Darn That Dream", avoided embroidery by revealing the purity of Jimmy Van Heusen's lyric and the melodic grace of Eddie de Lange's infectious tune. For a show-stopping post script, Russell tackled the amusing double entendres of Andy Razaf's salty blues, "Kitchen Man." - Robert L. Daniels, VARIETY, Nov. 5, 2007

American Beauty Project, New York, NY, January 2007

"Catherine Russell...was the concert's discovery...wistful, sultry rhythm and blues. She sang "New Speedway Boogie" over a jazzy bass vamp...in a skeletal arrangement that only heightened the song's philosophical reflections."
Jon Pareles, New York Times, January 22, 2007

Tulip Festival, Albany, NY, May 2007

"The main stage featured contemporary trumpet master Chris Botti and jazz/blues singers Kevin Mahogany and Catherine Russell. Sassy jazz and smoky torch songs were Russell's forte, and she showed she's good at what she does. The big-voiced singer did well with the rollicking "My Man's An Undertaker" and the lovely "Put Me Down Easy".
Michael Lisi, Albany Times Union

Tanglewood Jazz Festival 2006, Lenox, MA, Johnny Mercer Tribute:

"Dr. John’s set was a feel-good mix of classics from his own book and Johnny Mercer’s. Singers Ann Hampton Callaway, Catherine Russell (daughter of Louis Armstrong’s onetime musical director, Luis Russell ), John Pizzarelli and Irma Thomas took turns joining him for the latter, with Russell outshining the others with her solo version of “Moon River” and her duet with Dr. John on the comic “Save the Bones for Henry Jones.”
- Bill Beuttler, JazzTimes

Syracuse Jazz Festival 2006, Syracuse, NY

"The New York City native wowed the crowd with her deep, rich, powerful voice...she's a star in the making." Mark Bialczak, The Post-Standard

"Catherine Russell was absolutely incredible. She stole the show and blew everyone away."
- Frank Malfitano, Festival Director, Syracuse Jazz Festival

Lotus Festival 2006: Bloomington, Indiana

“...a few unique performances stood out at the annual Lotus Festival, which drew record-setting crowds in its 13th year. Catherine Russell, a blues and jazz singer who performed at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Friday, delivered one of those performances. Her cool attitude and off-beat lyrics, including the song "My Man's An Undertaker", made for a great crowd pleaser. Russell brought her first solo album, Cat, and within minutes after her concert, it had sold out."
- Lindsey Landis, Indiana Daily

Freihofer's Jazz Fest 2006, Saratoga Springs, NY

"Catherine Russell was an R&B hit...with class and a strong flexible voice."
R.J. DeLuke, AllAboutJazz.com

JVC-NY Jazz Festival 2005, Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, NY, NY, Tribute to Doc Cheatham:

"It was opening night of the JVC-New York Jazz Festival...sweet, bright, lyrical music, with swing's sharpening edge. The singer Catherine Russell joined the band for 'I Cover The Waterfront' and others..."
- Ben Ratliff, New York Times

Concert to honor the launch of Yip Harburg Postage Stamp 2005:

"Catherine Russell's musicality, vocal beauty, versatility and power; her deep understanding of lyrics and ability to make them her own, her brilliance joining lyrics and music together in song are unsurpassed in my judgment."
- Ernie Harburg, President, Yip Harburg Foundation

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival 2002, NY, NY:

"Russell was electrifying with a big, sometimes gospel-tinged voice, and a highly rhythmic delivery."
- Ira Gitler, JazzTimes


"Catherine Russell immediately established herself as one of the great acts in the ten years that I was associated with the festival. While fully conversant and respectful with the jazz tradition, Catherine brings her own voice and aesthetic to the music... one of the great vocalists of her time."
- Sam Turvey, Director 1993-2002 - Charlie Parker Jazz Festival