Catherine Russell

Born with a musical pedigree, Russell’s path was clear as the daughter of Panamanian pianist, composer and arranger Luis Russell, the longtime collaborator and musical director for Louis Armstrong, and bassist/vocalist Carline Ray, known for her work with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Ruth Brown and Mary Lou Williams. Over her momentous career, Russell has recorded and shared the stage with artists including David Bowie, Steely Dan, Michael Feinstein, Paul Simon and Rosanne Cash, recorded seven magical albums, and won a GRAMMY for her contribution to the soundtrack for the smash HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Recently, she appeared onscreen and in the soundtrack to Bolden, director Dan Pritzker’s 2019 biopic about cornetist and jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden. With Alone Together, Russell explores the rich trove of music emerging during the Swing Era, including “You Turned the Tables on Me”, “Errand Girl for Rhythm,” and the timeless title song. Of Russell, JazzTimes enthused, “If there’s a postmillennial answer to Dinah Washington, surely it’s Catherine Russell: same remarkable vocal dexterity-blues shouter meets jazz stylist; same espresso-strength power; same immaculate clarity; same ability to shift seamlessly from sassy to torchy.”