With funny backstories, good music, and riding the high of her recently announced Grammy nomination for the album “My Ideal,” vocalist Catherine Russell delivered an engaging show that took audiences on an exploratory musical journey at Blues Alley on Nov. 29.
“I like well-known people with lesser-known tunes,” Russell told the crowd.
Catherine Russell Quartet comes to the historic Blues Alley in D.C. yearly to sold-out crowds. The group opened with “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” originally recorded by Fats Waller.
Russell brings a mind-opening richness to her performances because she is a child of music royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist, composer, bandleader, and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, the late Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist, guitarist and bassist, who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Russell, recently Grammy nominated for “Best Jazz Vocal Album,” spoke about organizing her father’s archives, which were a treasure trove of songs and arrangements.
Several of the songs in the evening’s repertoire included songs with definite messages, like Dinah Washington’s “My Man’s an Undertaker,” Tiny Bradshaw’s “Take Those Hands Off the Clock,” and Charlie Rich’s “Who Will the Next Fool Be.”
The musicians performing with Russell at Blues Alley were guitarist and music director Matt Munisteri, pianist Ben Patterson, and bassist Tal Ronen.
Released in August, the album was recorded with pianist Sean Mason who usually tours with Russell’s group.
During most of December and January, Russell will be primarily in New York performing with pianist Sean Mason, with whom she recorded the Grammy-nominated “My Ideal,” released in August.
“Even before the nominations were announced, I had received very positive feedback from people I knew and didn’t know,” said Russell. “It’s good to be acknowledged. It helps everything and helps people know who you are. It also helps people to come to the gigs.”
Learn more about Catherine Russell and see her tour schedule at catherinerussell.net.
