Born in New York City, jazz and blues vocalist Catherine Russell entered the world carrying an uncommon musical heritage. Her father, Luis Russell, stood among the leading big-band figures of his era; born in Panama, he spent formative years in New Orleans before settling in New York City, where he distinguished himself as pianist, composer, arranger, and, most notably, music director for Louis Armstrong during the mid-1940s. Her mother, Carline Ray, forged a long career as a jazz bassist and singer, earned degrees from the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and performed with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, Wynton Marsalis, and countless other artists. Early listening habits drew Russell toward classic blues and jazz figures such as Bessie Smith, Ruth Brown, and Etta James, while the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, gospel repertoire, and opera also left lasting impressions. Despite this rich environment, she waited until well into adulthood before issuing recordings under her own name.
Ray has performed at festivals across the country and appeared on nationally broadcast radio and television programs. In addition to fronting her own groups, she has served as a background vocalist for Paul Simon, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Joan Osborne, and Madonna. Her voice has also featured in advertising campaigns for Bud Light, Oil of Olay, J.C. Penney, and Dairy Queen, and she has sung jazz alongside bassist Earl May, pianist Larry Ham, drummer Eddie Locke, and Jimmy Wormworth. Eventually Russell emerged as a compelling interpreter of earlier styles, releasing her first album as a leader, Cat, in 2006 on the World Village label. The recording paired her with guitarist Frank Portolese and banjo-mandolin player Stuart J. Rosenberg. Two years later she followed with Sentimental Streak, produced by guitarist Larry Campbell, featuring Howard Johnson and Steven Bernstein among its guests, and captured at Levon Helm’s studios in Woodstock, New York.
Throughout the next decade she issued Strictly Romancin’ in 2012, Bring It Back in 2014, and Harlem on My Mind in 2016; the last of these earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. In 2019 she released Alone Together, which included contributions from guitarist Matt Munisteri, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, saxophonist Evan Arntzen, and additional musicians, and likewise received a Grammy nomination.
