Catherine Russell
was destined to be a jazz and blues singer. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s music director, and her mother Carline Ray is an outstanding vocalist and bassist. Ms. Russell graduated with honors from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After touring Europe singing gospel music, she returned to New York City and began singing the blues with Jimmy Vivino's Little Big Band. She has performed with an array of artists, including: Paul Simon, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, Michael Feinstein, Madonna, Al Green, J. Geils Band, Dolly Parton, and Isaac Hayes, among others. In addition to performing, Ms. Russell is Associate Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston.