Cat Coward: News

Our typical Autumn winds blew through last week and blew all those vibrant birch leaves off the trees. They stand empty now, sticks pointing up to the sky, waiting for the first snow. It's been warm (40's) and wet, snow doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon.

The trails are still great for running, though. In spite of the fact that I haven't been doing much music, I continue to have a hard time squeezing in my daily workouts... go figure. It does really do my spirit good to get outside if only for an hour or so... and yes, even if it's raining!

Got a gig in a couple of weeks, November 6th, with Peggy Monaghan's Arctic Siren's Cabaret. We'll do some of the originals, and another tune or two. Can't wait to get back with the band. I checked out Our Stage, the internet radio-song competition website I'm on.... hadn't looked at it in a while... the songs entered are actually doing quite well. Nice to know that even though I'm on pause, the music keeps speaking for itself.

Off to Hawaii on Saturday for 10 days. If THAT doesn't renew my spirits, I don't know what will! We're going back to our favorite place on the wet and jungly side of the Big Island - Kalani Retreat Center - a short distance south of Hilo. AHHHH!

Hawaii should provide me with a cleansing break from some of the politics I've been trying to activate. Pouring myself into the Health Care Reform Bill(s) of late... trying to keep informed, emailing and calling my representatives, marching, talking to folks. Stressful, yet important work at this important time. Blows my mind that anyone can be against such a change that we desperately need for so many desperate and deserving people.

It's been a while since I've written, it's been a while since I've gigged, it's been a while since I've done much with music. I'm curious that I'm ok with it all. Is this just a pause, or have I completely lost the fascination? Amazingly, the answer to that question doesn't matter too much to me.

My life is completely full, rewarding and enriched. My attention has turned to my family, my recreation, and to matters more pressing to me than music... health care reform, global warming, and the like. Seriously, I look around trying to find where best to use my strengths and energy and am drawn both to our flailing medical system, and to the environment. It's time to focus my excess time and energy in that direction. If I can use music to do this, then so much the better, but it's not necessary.

On another note, jazzer Esperanza Spaulding is coming to Anchorage on September 25th. I've been asked by the Anchorage Concert Association to give a 30 minute talk about her prior to her performance. As a result of agreeing to do this, I've dug into Esperanza's life, music, and talents. Wow. Is she impressive! Clearly one of the brightest new jazz stars in music today. She's definitely worth checking out!

Alaskan Summer Mania is in full swing up here. I'm doing hardly any music, have no gigs scheduled after my next one next week, and am feeling rather mixed about it all. In part, I'm freaking out to have nothing going on musically, and in part, I'm just letting it ride... contemplating letting it all go for a while.

Summers up here are all a-go... everyone's outside as much as possible, everyone's on vacation as much as possible, everyone's up as late as possible. It's still light past 11PM, and all is vibrant and alive. I love Alaska!!

In lieu of music, I've been kayaking, hiking, running, backpacking, staying up late, sleeping in late, working as little as possible, trying to write songs, but finding that I don't have much to say.

I had a fabulous conversation today with an old, old friend who is an accomplished musician in his own right. He mentioned that he has had "writer's block" for the last couple of years which he attributed to no longer being clear about who his audience was. He said that, until recently, he had always had a fairly good connection and dialog with his fans and listeners, which had facilitated his song writing. Of late, he doesn't have that connection, and consequently is unsure of what to say in his music.

I understood what he was saying... though I have written only a scant few songs, when I was composing for my CD "On a Limb", I knew who I was writing to and for. Now that "On a Limb" is completed, and I'm considering merging my style of writing with something more pop/rock, I'm no longer sure who I'm writing to. It's been very difficult to put anything down.

At our last gig, a private party a couple weeks ago, we tried something new musically. We changed the rhythm section from background jazz, to a more driving and busy rock sound. We kept the vocals the same, and played the same jazz tunes. The result was something very wild and exciting. Jazz standards such as "Night and Day", "Girl from Ipanema", and of-course the originals, with a rock undertone. Very sexual, very danceable, very appealing.
We're going to try it again next week at Bernie's see how it goes. I'm hoping that if we take the music out of the background and into people's faces, we can expand our fan base, as well as our own interest. We're calling it "sultry vocals over a driving beat."

Stay tuned...

We had a very enjoyable gig last night at Bernie's on the patio. The weather this Summer has been so outstanding that it was a big surprise (and disappointment) to wake up yesterday morning to cool, cloudy weather with an impending outdoor gig. BUT, lucky for us the clouds blew out just as we were starting, and we ended up having a beautifully pleasant evening, with a decent turn out!

The show was a healing one for me. I've been in such a foul mood for the past several weeks.... I told my husband, Tim, that this is the worst he's ever seen me. (He agreed!) From the outside my life is, at the very least, charmed. I mean, I have everything I could dream of... love, a great family, health, friends, music. But my spirit has been very unsettled of late, and in the past weeks, most days I move through with tightness in my chest and noticeable stress. I believe it's from lack of grounding, little time for meditation, and a perceived need to juggle more activities than I am able.

But last night, in the middle of a gig that I hadn't even been looking forward too, I felt it all lift away. Like someone unlocked a door and all the negative and toxic energy I had been carrying for weeks just blew away.

What a relief. This is why i need music in my life.

Just back to Earth from a wonderful Spenard Jazz Festival this past weekend. Yngvil Vatten Guttu, the SJF coordinator extraordinaire, did a fabulous job with all the details of the event. In one year, the festival grew from a single evening, to a three day event.

Sadly, due to other responsibilities, I wasn't able to attend much of it, but what I did see was very professional, creative, and inspiring. The music was well received by everyone there, a mix of fellow musicians and fans. It was a supportive environment to be sure, as well as well attended by the general public.

Our set was yesterday afternoon. We played all the tunes on "On a Limb", save "Turn Back the Time". Ron Kichura sat in for Kevin Barnett, who was out of town. He did a fantastic job - especially with "Walk Away" and "Roll Me". What spirit!! I thought all our tunes went very well. We're starting to gel with them in a live setting. Thank you Ron, Scott, Dirk, and Lee! Yahoo!

There was a table of very enthusiastic ladies front and center who were super engaging and responsive. Nothing better for the performers than audience members who react, participate and enjoy the music. Thank you, ladies! (You know who you are!)

Next up: Bernies on June 11th!

I have been SO busy... and none of it has been with music. I've nearly forgotten how my songs go, which I guess isn't such a bad thing as I had been so inundated by them. The break was kind-of nice!

During the first two weeks of May my husband, Tim, and I traveled to Northern California for 2 weeks of white water kayaking. The weather was cool and rainy for most of the time (while temps were unusually high under bright blue skies in Alaska!). The kayaking was fabulous. I'm a novice kayaker at best, and was surprised again at how much the sport depends upon one's mental/emotional state of mind. Kayaking parallels life in that manner... you do better during difficult and stressful moments by remaining cool, focused, and relaxed. Would that I could be so centered...

Up next, the Spendard Jazz Festival May 29th - 31st! Over 50 musicians performing throughout the weekend at Organic Oasis in Spenard. We're up Sunday the 31st at 3PM. Come on down for a weekend of all original, local Jazz!

Happy April everyone!
No fooling, the CD has taken off. Rave reviews from friends regarding the music and the cover design. I'm really pleased with the cover design as well.... makes for a great story that I frost bit all my toes in the process - ha! I'm pleased to say that they are doing much better now, and I may even get to get out for some Spring skiing now that the temps are climbing up.

I just got back from some R & R in Florida with my husband Tim, and our son, Rohan. We got Rohan together with his cousins, which was a blast.

Amazingly, we were able to get in and out of Anchorage in spite of the heavy volcanic activity of Mt. Redoubt. We know of several people stuck for days at a time trying to get either in or out of Alaska due to canceled flights. On our way out of Anchorage, we were sitting on the tarmac and the pilot came on the radio to announce that Redoubt had just blown again. "We're gonna get out of hear right now", he says as he pulls away from the gate. No sooner had we got above the clouds when out on the horizon we could see this huge mushroom cloud of ash rising WAY up above the clouds. A 65,000 foot high explosion. That's over 9 miles high! Very hard for me to wrap my mind around that.

YEA! "On a Limb" was officially released last night at our grand opening party!! We squeezed about 120 people into our home for a rip roaring good time. Awesome food provided by Clare D' Loon catering, beer, wine, and of-course live music. Kevin, Dirk, Scott and Lee played better than ever, and the new original tunes off the CD were a huge hit.

Today we cleaned up from the party all day (whew). This week I'll start sending CDs off to various out-of-state locales, as well as getting them into the Anchorage area stores. Now the real work begins...

We had a fabulous gig last night at the Museum for First Friday. The crowd was big and enthusiastic, we played well, and fun was had by all. We're all really looking forward to CD release party in 2 weeks! (I just hope the CDs have arrived by that time....)

Just wanted to put a plug in for Oasis CD Manufacturing. Micah, Oasis president and founder, has been super great to work with. He has gone above and beyond to help me out with my project, and I'm really grateful. Discs coming soon - can't wait!

(Big) CD release party March 21st!!

Yahoo! Yesterday I approved the final master and cover design of the CD, and it should be pressed by March 6th, or thereabouts. I have to say that Oasis did a really fine job with the mastering. I'm so glad I had them do that final stage of the music. It SHINES! And, the design department did a great job with my original photos, giving them the pizazz I was looking for. I can't wait for everyone to see (and hear) the CD.

Whew. Making a CD is a stressful process, and sure takes it out of me. Expectations always run high, and patience often runs thin. In the end, however, it was really nice to work together to come up with a fabulous product.

On other fronts, gig this Friday at Maxine's with the usual suspects. March 6th, at the museum with Nick Putemenous standing in for Dirk Westfall on bass. Stay tuned for CD release party date!!

Wow, was it really 3 weeks ago I sent the master and graphics off to Oasis? I've been very particular about the artwork, which probably drives them crazy there, but they have been good about indulging me!

I am very happy with how the project is turning out. I THINK I'll be giving final approval next week when I see some hardcopy proofs, and THEN they'll press the discs and ship them to my door (2 - 3 weeks later??)

BIG party happening when these babies come in. I can't wait to see them and disseminate them into the world!

FINALLY! All the studio work is done for the new CD. Just yesterday I sent all the graphics and music off to Oasis CD Duplication. They are going to master it, duplicate it, wrap it up, and send box loads back up to me. I'm super happy with the way all the music turned out! Now the waiting game begins, as I count down 25 - 30 business days before they appear at my door.

Stay tuned for a huge CD release party!!

Welcome 2009!
I'm full of hope and optimism looking ahead into the new year.

I had a fabulous holiday season... one of my nicest. Rohan was home from school, Tim was off work and we just hung out, skied, slept in, etc. Wonderful.

I've been working hard on the CD, which is still moving along more slowly than I would like! BUT, we have 3 tunes mixed, and several hours scheduled in the studio over the next 2 weeks. We decided to mix at The Mirror Studios in Anchorage, which slowed things down a bit as we had to transfer the tracks to a different software program and coordinate with a new studio schedule. The speakers at Mirror are great for mixing, and Ken (Mirror's recording engineer) is super efficient. He's a great addition to the team with Kevin, Peggy and myself. Anyway, hopefully everything will be mixed by the end of next week, then it's off to Oasis CD Production for the packaging. They should be arriving at my door about 25 days later.

We did a photo shoot for the cover photos about 2 weeks ago. We were outside in 8 degree weather... I was barefoot (yes, true) and frostbit my toes. The things we do for art - ha! Really, they are healing very well and I'm not TOO worried about them anymore.

Upcoming gigs include February 20th at Maxine's, and March 6th at the Anchorage Museum. Come on out!!

Last night, in a very efficient recording session, we cranked out the final vocals for ALL 10 tunes. I was in great voice, and all the work I'd been doing to prepare really paid off. I was very pleased with the outcome of the vocal tracks. It sure helps to have a good producer (duh!). Peggy is awesome. You know that kid's game when you close your eyes, fall backward and trust your friend to catch you? That's how nice it feels to have a good producer on my recording team. Next week, we'll start mixing. That's when the real fun begins and I'll begin to see the finished product in sight.

What I found interesting was how glad I was that I got sick a few weeks back and had to postpone the vocal recording. There is such wisdom in patience and waiting... The break I had while being sick, and then by being away for a week in Hawaii, made a huge difference in the fresh approach I took to both the expression and technique of the music.

I'm constantly reminded that things happen for a reason, they always work out, and that there is good to be gleaned from most (all???) predicaments. Isn't it all about attitude? Or is that perspective insensitive to people suffering more deeply than I have suffered?
Even having lost a husband, and having suffered other "standard" life pains, I think I know relatively little about suffering - I mean, compared to a lot of people. And yet, so far, for me it still seems to be about attitude, optimism and hope.

So here's the irony... I had cut back my hours at my day job several weeks ago, to spend more time on my music... then found myself in a funk. So, now, after getting re-inspired with the music, my boss calls and needs me to fill-in for a co-worker who broke her arm. Back to the day job I go!

Other news... a really fun time at Maxine's this past Friday. Dirk joined us again on bass - WOW! That's all I have to say about him!
We have a really tight group now. The place was really crowded - lots of folks there from my email list, which was nice. We'll be back again January (exact date TBA).

Nothing like a trip to the islands to heal and inspire! Tim and I just got back from a wonderful break on the Big Island of Hawaii - sans enfant. I didn't realize I'd been a bit in the doldrums until I got BACK from Hawaii in such a great mood! We stayed at the wonderfully relaxing Kalani Oceanside Resort - a yoga center near Hilo, on the rainy side. How nice to relax, "yogate", meditate, eat locally grown produce... ah....

I'm back with more inspiration for the CD, songwriting, and otherwise pushing the music and the business. I had planned on recording my final vocals of the CD before I left, but got sick and had to delay. Major drag.... it takes all my discipline to avoid rushing this project. We're scheduled again to record this weekend and the next.

I finally got my list server up and running. I think it will save me tons of time, and make emailing announcements much easier. So sign up now, if you haven't already!

One big disappointment was to learn that Blythe and Gordon, who have hosted Jazz for a Cause the past 3 years, are unable to host again this year. Too much on their docket with 2 teenagers in the home. I don't think I have the energy to find another location - they were such fabulous party partners. So, it looks like Jazz for a Cause is a thing of the past. We certainly had 3 very successful years, though. I'm sorry to let it go.

But, how about that election??!! YEAH BABY. My hope in American democracy was rekindled. Whew! What a moment in history!

Another awesome gig at Maxine's this past Friday. God, I love that place.

With me were the usual suspects, Kevin, Scott and Lee. In addition, we were joined by Dirk Westfall on bass (Ray will be in New Mexico until late Spring). I've been trying to play with Dirk for 3 years now, and was thrilled to finally have the opportunity. He was better, even, than his reputation. I'm really looking forward to our next gig - November 21st, Maxine's Bistro again!

The CD continues to chug along. The sax/flute overdubs are done. Lee was really able to get the feel of all the tunes - he did a fabulous job. The percussion additions are ALMOST done - close enough that I'm going into the studio this weekend to lay down the final vocal tracks. I can't wait! It's been really fun having the opportunity to practice and perform the tunes so many times before putting down the final vocals. I'm very excited to hear how they sound when they are done!

In the mean time, I've been writing more songs, thinking about yet the next original CD. (Jeese, I can't believe I'm saying that!)

We had an outstanding gig this past Friday at Maxine's Bistro in Girdwood. I love that place! Sadly, it was Ray's last show with us until next Summer. He's off to New Mexico to study ayurvedic medicine. You go, boy! But, we'll miss you!

Next month, I've got Dirk Westfall on the bill - another fabulous bass player who I've been after for years. I'm finally going to get to play with him.

The new CD is coming along, albeit slowly. Bass overdubs are done, next up percussion overdubs. What with other musical, non-musical, family and health commitments with all band members, the project goes slowly. The upside is that I have had plenty of time to practice the vocal parts prior to putting on the final vocal tracks. We'll do that last.

I've been coaching with Peggy Monahan, a local jazz instructor and producer. She's fabulous.... I'm wondering why I let my pride get in the way for so long before being willing to have some lessons!

On other fronts, music has taken a somewhat backseat to politics (ugh). This is such a dire time for our country - my fear of how I will leave it (our country) to my 8 year old, motivates me to take action now. Register to vote. Take action. Stand up for what you believe. We CAN make a change.

It's September, and officially Fall in Alaska. Actually, it's been like Fall all Summer with all the cool, rainy weather we've had. I'm looking forward to the winter... my favorite season up here. Life settles down, it gets all dark and cozy. I love this time of year.

We've been working steadily on the CD... getting overdubs down - hopefully done by the end of this month. In the mean time, I've been working out kinks in the vocal lines, and hoping to get the final vocals completed in early October... or so....

Maxine's in August was awesome. Next week we're back there again - Sept 12th - for Ray's last gig with us before he leaves for Arizona through the winter. I'll really miss having him play with us. Dirk Westphal will be taking Ray's place in Oct and Nov at Maxine's.

Kevin, Scott, Ray and I went into the studio yesterday and the day before, and laid down the rhythm section tracks for 10 tunes.

I was very pleased with how efficiently it all went, and with how well the music is turning out so far.

Ray and Scott are really good at coming up with, and laying down, an excellent groove. The songs really came to life. We have a couple sambas, a bossa, a ballad, a funk tune, and few other surprises.

We'll keep working on all the details of the music, and then eventually come up with the package aspect of the CD (for instance, the title!)

Next up: Gig at Maxine's August 15th!!

I can't believe I'm starting a new recording project in just over 2 weeks. Yikes! I'm still getting charts together and scrambling to be ready for the band to take on my songs. Can't wait to hear them with the full group.

I just recently returned from a fabulous 3 week raft and backpacking trip to the Arctic - our annual, family ANWR trip. Fabulous adventure as always. This year we had the good fortune to run into about 20,000 of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. It was magical to be in the midst of such beautiful animals.

Next up, besides the recording, gigs in August and Sept, ramping up for the Fall. Looking forward to focusing a bit more on music as the Summer comes to a close (Alaska Summer, that is...)

Yahoo! I finally got a new website up and running that is SO much easier to maintain than my last one. AND, it looks better too. I'm very pleased.

What's happening in the world of music? Great to be back at Maxine's last month with the gang. We had a nice show, wonderful to have Lee Pulliam on board with sax and flute! I'm scrambling to get songs together to record in early August, have a private party next week, and a new show added the end of July.

In addition to all that, my husband, son, and I are hastily preparing for our annual river trip up in the Arctic. We're leaving the end of this month for 3 weeks - backpacking and rafting the Hula hula river in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. What a beautiful place! I'm looking forward to a fabulous trip.

More to follow!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've written... In addition to having lots going on, my web software has become a major pain, which leads me to all sorts of procrastination getting on here and updating! Anybody know anything about .mac webhosting?

So let's see... since writing last I've been to Mexico, China, and California. I've had 3 big gigs, plus did music for wedding's in Mexico and China. The international traveling was outstanding - China was incredibly interesting, especially in comparason to my visit there 13 years ago. They are really up and coming over there. Huge economic growth.

I just got back from a weekend in California - my girlfriend who got married in Mexico had her post-wedding-USA reception in our home town of Palo Alto. I put a band together and did all the music for her party. It was outstanding. My new "San Francisco band" were as good as I could have hoped. We played all sorts of great music, and they were ON. Lots of fun and laughter during the sets. An overall great time and great music.

Up next... gigs at Maxine's, music writing, and hopefully some recording of originals. Now that I'm done working on wedding music, and have most of my difficult charts transfered to Finale sheet music, it's time to get back to the originals. Hope to have some recording time of the new tunes this summer.

Also, I've introduced a new member to the band, sax/flutist Lee Pulliam. He'll be joining us at the upcoming Maxine's gigs. He's an excellent player, and adds so much to the music, I just had to have him! Come check him out, you won't be disappointed!

Hope to see you all out and about, and thanks again, as always for supporting live music!

There's been a lull gig-wise, but I'm certainly still busy. I bought a music writing software a few weeks ago, a piano keyboard to run it, and have been busily (very busily) getting music together for 2 weddings. We leave next week for my best girlfriend's wedding... in Mexico, followed by my brother's wedding.... in China 2 weeks later. I'm doing music for both events! Whew!

We get home April 2nd, and jump right into some major gigs... Achorage Museum, April 4th and April 12th, a big party gig in Kenai on April 5th, and down to California on April 26th for a private party gig. Things should roll back to a more relaxed "normal" in May (I hope!!).

Still working on some originals in my "spare" time, which I hope to incorporate into some near future shows.

All in all, it's still loads of fun, which my husband has to remind me of, whenever I complain about not enough time - ha!

Stay tuned for more news after the first part of April. In the mean time... happy Spring!!

Last weekend was our third annual "Jazz for a Cause" party. This year we benefitted Kid's Cafe, a program within Bean's Cafe, in Anchorage, which helps funnel food to kids in need. In spite of the difficulties this year in rallying troops, it ended up being a very successful party. We had 70 people turn out, and raised $11,000 for Kid's Cafe.

Whew! The party really did take a lot out of me, though, this year. Maybe the date was too close to the holidays, or maybe it was the slump in our economy, but it was harder to get the turn out than it was the past 2 years. Fortunately, the 70 people who did turn out all seemed to have a great time. I sure did. Well deserved thanks go out to my fabulous band, who all donated their time and talents to the cause: Kevin Barnett on keys, Ray Booker on bass, and Scott Weller on drums. (Having drums at the party was spectacular. Why had I never thought of that before??)

Looks like I'm taking an unintentioned gigging break again.... Between my schedule and the schedules of my band, I won't have a gig until April 4th! I'm very bummed, and fearful of loosing momentum, but hoping for the best. The exciting news is that I just ordered some music writing software, so I intend to spend my extra time writing out better charts and working on my originals. Still hoping to go into the studio again late Spring to start a new CD. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!