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Sensational New York-based Jazz Vocalist Catherine Dupuis Releases Third Exceptional Jazz CD "The Rules of the Road"

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For Immediate Release – March 20, 2005

Media Contact: Lesley Mitchell-Clarke/Amanda O’Reilly

416-486-6742/[email protected]



Sensational New York-based Jazz Vocalist Catherine Dupuis Releases Third Exceptional Jazz CD,
The Rules of the Road (Bearheart Records - #BR-002)


Featuring arrangements and orchestrations by Russ Kassoff, as well as an All-Star ensemble….also……. Please join us in a celebration of the release of Catherine Dupuis’ new recording with a special
CD Launch Event May 19, 2005 “The Iridium Jazz Club”
1650 Broadway (at 51st)
Special Performance for Media: 5:30 PM
Performance for the General Public at 7:00 PM




NEW YORK CITY – MARCH 20, 2005 – There are few genuine jazz vocalists on the scene today that posess the skill, taste, thrilling vocal instrument and charming stage presence of Catherine Dupuis. She is a much-respected presence on the New York and international jazz scene, and has consistently produced recordings (I Hear Music and Moment to Moment) that are not only representative of her unique and refreshing perspective on jazz, but have also received raves from the media and the listening public at large.



On May 19th, 2005, Catherine Dupuis will be releasing her latest effort, The Rules of the Road. With arrangements and orchestrations by noted pianist, composer and conductor, Russ Kassoff (Frank Sinatra, Carole Sloane, Liza Minnelli, Rita Moreno, etc.) and an array of first call jazz artists in the studio,The Rules of the Road is without a doubt, Ms. Dupuis’ most ambitious project to date. Featured on the new recording are Russ Kassoff on piano; Martin Wind on bass; Rick Cutler on drums; Bucky Pizzarelli and Joe Cohn on acoustic guitar; Marvin Stamm on trumpet and flugelhorn; Ted Nash on alto sax; Lawrence Feldman on flute, alto & soprano sax; Bruce BonVissuto on trombone; Emedin Rivera and Roger Squitero on percussion; Dan Block on alto flute and Laura Seaton-Finn and Susan Lorentsen on violins.



Catherine Dupuis will be celebrating the release of The Rules of the Road, with a special media launch and performance on May 19th at “The Iridium Jazz Club”, located at 1650 Broadway (at 51st), in the heart of the theatre district. At 5:30 PM, there will be a special performance for the media, and at 7:00 PM, there will be a full hour-long set, which will be open to the general public. For Media accommodations, please contact LMC Media at 416-486-6742, or by e-mail at [email protected].

For Reservations for the 7:00 PM set (strongly recommended), please contact the Iridium Box Office at 212-582-2121.



Included in The Rules of the Road are the Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh title track. This rarely performed tune was suggested to Catherine by Russ Kassoff, who had heard the original Rosemary Clooney recording on her album, Thanks For Nothing. Catherine takes it, adds her own unique twist, and makes it her own. Kassoff’s laid-back swing arrangment is a perfect compliment for Dupuis voice. Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote their gorgeous love song, “I Have Dreamed” for their hit musical, “The King & I”. Unfortunately, the song was later cut from the film version, which featured a lip-synching Deborah Kerr to a vocal track by veteran chirp, Marnie Nixon. Kassoff’s gentle bossa-nova version, coupled with the gorgeous strings and incomparable guitar work of Bucky Pizzarelli make this a stand-out. Catherine’s voice gently floats through the tune, wringing out every last drop of romance from the lyric. Next up is a rousing rendition of the “Chicago” mega-hit, “Beginnings” (Robert William Lamm).



Ross Kassoff has said that although Sinatra never sang this tune, it was fun to write an arrangement as if it were for Sinatra. “Someone At Last” by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin was written specifically for Judy Garland as the basis of a huge production number in her comeback film “A Star Is Born”. Catherine puts her own stamp on this beautiful, and under-performed piece of special material. The Nikolas Brodszky/Sammy Cahn standard “Wonder Why” is a gentle swinger for Catherine – reminiscent of the great Carmen MaCrae, and includes an athletic scat section. The original Russ Kassoff/Deirdre Broderick composition “I Remember”, moody and introspective, this song was originally written as a sax solo for “The Russ Kassoff Big Band”.



Catherine’s languid interpretation works perfectly with the sensual melodic line. Also included are the Frank Loesser standard, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” (complete with strings, over a lilting bossa nova); another Kassoff/Broderick ballad, “When He’s Near My Piano”, sung by Catherine with sensitivity, precision and unmitigated sweetness; Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh’s burning swinger, “The Best is Yet to Come”, with a burning horn arrangement, matched only by Catherine’s vocal intensity; A Samba/Bossa take on Chick Corea and Neville Potter’s “You’re Everything” (originally performed and recorded by Flora Purim); Broadway composer Lionel Bart’s “Who Will Buy?” from the hit stage musical and film, “Oliver”. The film version has a special place in Catherine’s heart, as it was one of the first films that she every saw. The impact of Dickens mesmerizing story-telling coupled with the huge production numbers and re-creation of mid 19th Century London, left an indelible mark on Catherine. This version is really a modal blues, arranged very specifically as a platform for Catherine to explore some traditional vocal sounds of her Mohawk/Ojibwa ancestry, as well as to express the emotional and anti-materialistic message of the lyric. The final two tracks on the CD include the Kassoff/Broderick composition, “You Are All the World to Me”, which features the exquisite piano work of Russ Kassoff….and the rousing closer—aptly titled, “Lonesome Road” (Nathaniel Shilkret/Gene Austin)..



About Catherine Dupuis …..

Catherine brings expressive warmth to her singing, as well as a skilled ability to communicate the emotional content of a lyric. Her unique abilities as a performer are a culmination of her natural talent, as well as her experience and training as an actress and vocalist. While at Indiana University's School of Music (from which she holds a B.S. in both Music and Theatre), she studied with the legendary Eileen Farrell, known not only for her work as one of the great contemporary operatic mezzo-sopranos, but also as one of the foremost interpreters of The Great American Song Book. While at Indiana University, Catherine performed with the highly regarded Singing Hoosiers under the direction of respected music educator Robert Stoll. Catherine worked her way through an M.F.A. in Acting and Movement from Penn State University by doing local voice-overs, jingles and backup recording work in central Pennsylvania studios.



In 1985, she moved to New York City. Since 1994, Catherine has appeared to critical acclaim at popular New York City venues, including Smoke, the Knickerbocker, “Live at Opia," Chez Suzette, Shelly's NY, Metronome, Cleopatra's Needle, Jilly's NY, La Belle Epoque, Don't Tell Mama, The Triad (formerly Steve McGraw's), Danny's Skylight Room, Eighty-Eight's, the Caviarteria at the Soho Grand and Town Hall for the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Convention. She has appeared at the Mohonk Mountain House Jazz on the Mountain (hosted by Michael Bourne of WBGO-Newark, NJ), the Sackets Harbor Jazz Festival, the Montclair (NJ) Women in Jazz Festival, and The Central Penna. Festival of the Arts. From Cole Porter to Sting, Catherine's eclectic taste in musical material often finds her performing a broad spectrum of music. Her repertoire includes jazz standards and American Popular Songs, as well as fresh, contemporary compositions (by David Cantor (Dave's True Story), Deirdre Broderick, Bill Mays, Mark Murphy and Russ Kassoff).

On May 19th, 2005, Catherine will release her third recording with Bearheart Records, Rules of the Road, arranged and orchestrated by Mr. Kassoff, with Bucky Pizzarelli, Ted Nash, Martin Wind, Marvin Stamm and a host of other wonderful musicians. Catherine's most previous CD, Moments, was released in 2001, and was conducted and arranged by Mr. Mays, with an additional arrangement of “Skylark" by Mr. Kassoff.

In his liner notes, Zan Stewart (DownBeat/Newark Star Ledger) writes: “Gifted with a stunning alto voice, a stellar sense of time and deep intuition about how to render a lyric, Catherine makes songs come alive. ... [A] rising star to keep your eye on." About her debut CD, I Hear Music (released May '99), Jerome Wilson (Cadence) wrote: “Her hard swinging style continually reminded me of Annie Ross. If Janis Siegel or Cheryl Bentine ever left the Manhattan Transfer, she'd make a perfect replacement." Moments, I Hear Music and The Rules of the Road are available on line at: www.catherinedupuis.com, www.cdbaby.com; at Tower Records and Virgin; distributed by NorthCountry.

Catherine has performed regionally and off-Broadway for over two decades. Her national theatrical credits include Laura in Goblin Market (Portland Stage Company), Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (North Carolina Theatre), Nimue in Camelot (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera) and Amalia (originally created by Barbara Cook) in the Sheldon Harnick/Jerry Bock hit, She Loves Me (South Jersey Regional Theatre; with Joanna Papada, now V.P. Operations of Manchester Craftsman Guild in Pittsburgh, PA). In New York, Catherine appeared in Daydreams, an innovative show about Doris Day. The sold-out show was covered by the New Yorker, The Daily News and The New York Post. She created and continues to perform a one-woman show based on Native American issues and her Mohawk/Ojibwa ancestry. Catherine is proud to be a 26-year member of Actor's Equity Association and to have been a co-founder and Managing Director of the highly acclaimed off-Broadway, “Melting Pot Theatre Company”.

For television, Catherine has been interviewed on “New Jersey's Talking" with Lee Leonard (New Jersey Channel 12) and on “First Music & Arts," directed and produced by Victor Linklater (APTN – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada). On radio, she has appeared on Michael Bourne's “Singers Unlimited" (WBGO-Newark, NJ) and on Jim Lowe's “Jim Lowe & Company" taped in New York for national syndication. Catherine received a 2001 nomination for best vocal jazz album (I Hear Music) from the independent music network, Just Plain Folks.



About Russ Kassoff…

Russ Kassoff is an accomplished jazz pianist, conductor, composer, orchestrator and arranger, whose varied talents are much valued and on display in the New York music world. Top credits include extensive touring as pianist to Frank Sinatra from 1980-1991. More… He served as pianist/accompanist for Liza Minnelli from 1982-2001 and was her music director and conductor during 2000 for the acclaimed Minnelli on Minnelli national tour. In 1988-89, Russ was pianist for The Ultimate Event Tour, which was televised nationally on PBS and featured Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Minnelli. Currently he performs as conductor/pianist to Rita Moreno (2005 sold-out 4 week run at SF’s Plush Room). He has recorded with Bucky Pizzarelli, Red Norvo, Chris Connor, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon and many others. In addition to Sinatra and Minnelli, Russ has accompanied a multi-varied list of performers including: Steve Allen, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Sammy Cahn, Liz Callaway, Claiborne Cary, Vic Damone, Catherine Dupuis, Debbie Gravitte, Buddy Greco, Gregory Hines, Mimi Hines, Carol Lawrence, Ute Lemper, Monica Mancini, Barry Manilow, Amanda McBroom, Susannah McCorkle, Maureen McGovern, Rita Moreno, Patrice Munsel, Toby Parker, John Pizzarelli, Faith Prince, Trudy Richards, Ginger Rogers, Annie Ross, Carly Simon, Carol Sloane, Sylvia Syms, and Luciano Pavarotti (duet with Liza for Pavarotti & Friends in 1996).

In New York, Russ has performed at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the New York State Theatre, The Kaplan Penthouse and Town Hall. At the National Arts Club, Russ has led numerous trios and small groups over 25 years, including three command performances for the membership. In the 1980's, he performed regularly at Bradley's and One Fifth Avenue. Russ has been a regular performer at the acclaimed Knickerbocker jazz club since 1984.

Russ's arrangements and orchestrations have appeared in many different settings. From full orchestra for Liza Minnelli, Debbie Gravitte, Charles Aznavour and Billy Stritch to smaller intimate groups for Catherine Dupuis, Sylvia Syms, Mimi Hines, Chris Connor, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli, Trudi Richards, Martha Lorin and June Valli. Having done a 20-year stint with Liza, more than 50 big band charts can be found in her library. Russ is also the sole writer and arranger for the Russ Kassoff Big Band. As an associate producer, 2004-5 has been a busy time for Russ. He wrote all of the arrangements, conducted, contracted and recorded CD’s for Catherine Dupuis, Martha Lorin, Jasper Kump and Toby Parker (brother of Sarah Jessica Parker). Forthcoming are the production of Debbie Gravitte’s Big Band Broadway, and CD’s of Andrea Loftus & a solo CD of Russ himself.

Russ has performed as a member of many jazz groups, most notably the Bucky Pizzarelli trio (7 years) and Red Norvo. Russ was also a regular member of Peter Appleyard's Benny Goodman Alumni, touring Canada extensively in the mid-1980's and featuring jazz greats Ed Bickert, Slam Stewart, Billy Butterfield, Ed Polcer, Urbie Green, Abe Most, Butch Miles, Don Lamond, Peanuts Hucko, George Masso and Major Holley, among others. As a jazz concert pianist, 2004 found Russ as featured performer at the Pensacola Jazz Festival, The Toronto Jazz Festival (with Carol Sloane), and the Fifth Annual Sackets Harbor Jazz Festival (with Harry Allen, Joe Cohn and Catherine Dupuis).

In 2004 - as a music director/conductor, in addition to all the fine vocalists Russ works for, he conducted the Modesto Symphony with Rita Moreno, the annual Ridgefield (CT) Holiday Spectacular – starring Debbie Gravitte and the annual Glaxo-Smithkline show (as big band arranger and pianist). In the summer of 2001, Russ toured Europe as pianist/accompanist to internationally-acclaimed Ute Lemper. That same August, Russ was again musical director, coordinator and featured performer for the 2nd annual Sackets Harbor (NY) Jazz Festival with Linc Milliman, Terry Clarke and Catherine Dupuis. In 2002, the SHJF again featured Russ, together with Rob McConnell and Russ's trio, and in 2003, Russ put together a program for SHJF featuring fellow SUNY-Potsdam/Crane School of Music alumni Glen Drewes, Gary Keller and Kickie Holloway Britt. For the 5th annual SHJF, Russ produced another stellar evening with Harry Allen, Joe Cohn, Catherine Dupuis, Martin Wind and Rick Cutler. In August 2005 Russ returns for the 6th annual with guest stars Bucky Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski, & Catherine Dupuis.

In July 2002, Russ arranged and led two big band concerts in Norwood and Potsdam NY (Crane Youth Music). The arrangements have become the backbone of the new Russ Kassoff Big Band comprised of top Studio recording and Broadway musicians, featured at the 2nd Milford, PA music festival in June 2004. The big band can be heard on the Local 802 Musician’s Union radio spot promoting live music in the NY Metropolitan Area.

On Broadway, Russ served as musical director/pianist for Charles Aznavour at the Marquis Theater in 1998 and as pianist/arranger/contractor to Minnelli on Minnelli at the Palace Theater in 1999. Russ has also played hundreds of shows on Broadway, including Miss Saigon, Cats, Will Rogers Follies, Buttons On Broadway, Jane Eyre, Seussical, Victor Victoria, Sunset Boulevard, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Kiss Me Kate. Russ holds a B.M. in performance from the Crane School of Music, SUNY-Potsdam, 1974.

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For further information, graphics materials, a review copy of

The Rules of the Road

or to schedule an interview with

Catherine Dupuis

Please contact LMC Media

By phone at 416-486-6742

By e-mail at [email protected]



Please visit

www.catherinedupuis.com

Visit Website

For more information contact .

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