Catherine Sykes

New Album Something Wonderful available now

  • Music

    Music

    Hailing from Yorkshire, Catherine’s voice was discovered by her music teacher mother who overheard her singing along to the radio behind her closed bedroom door.

    Catherine is resident vocalist with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK and performs regularly on tour with the band throughout the UK and Europe. She has also guested with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Nick Ross Orchestra, Manhattan Orchestra, Fat Chops Big Band, Paul Barry Big Band and The Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra.

    Catherine studied voice at the Leeds College of Music and since graduating has performed at venues such as London’s 100 Club, the 606 Club and numerous Jazz festivals and clubs across the country. Humphrey Lyttelton took a shine to her debut album ‘Signing In’ and featured it on his ‘Best of Jazz’ programme on Radio 2. Her critically acclaimed follow up album ‘Something Wonderful’ includes a song written especially for her by TV and Radio presenter Nicky Campbell OBE.

  • Live

    Live Dates

    2024

    6th April – Hall for Cornwall, Truro with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 5.00 pm

    13th April – National Concert Hall, Dublin with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 3.00pm

    28th April – Theatre Royal, Brighton with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 3.00pm

    30th April – West Chilt Jazz Club, West Chiltington with Tony Jacobs and the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra 7.30pm

    10th May – Metronome, Nottingham with the NTU Big Band 7.30pm

    11th May – Hardye Theatre, Dorchester with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 7.00pm

    19th May – Town Hall, Loughborough with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 3.00pm

    2nd June – Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 3.00pm

    16th June – De Montfort Hall, Leicester with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 3.00pm

    29th June – Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead Armed Forces Day Celebration with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 12-5.00pm

    25th July – Jazz at the Ivy Room The Bush Hotel, Farnham. Catherine Sykes sings the Peggy Lee Songbook 7.45pm

    4th August – Bournemouth Pavillion with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK 5.00pm

    5-8th August – Warner’s Cricket St Thomas Hotel. Tony’s Festival of Hot Jazz, Big Band Swing, Cabaret & Dance. Guesting with Tony Jacobs

    25th September – The Concorde Club, Eastleigh with Tony Jacobs and the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra

  • News

    Latest News

    I am very excited to be able to announce the launch of my new album and website! I recorded the album last year at a lovely rural studio in the Vale of Evesham, a beautiful and inspirational setting.

    I am thrilled to have worked with some great musicians on the album; Drummer Mike Smith (BBC Big Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra), bassist Tom Hill (Les Brown and the Band of Renown, George Shearing) and on saxophones Rob Fowler (The Humphrey Lyttelton band, Pasadena Roof Orchestra) to name but three.

    I am really proud of the album and hope you enjoy listening to some of the tracks whilst browsing the website.

About

Picture of Catherine

I blame Ella.

If anyone asks me who my greatest influence is, I always think back to the first time I saw Ella Fitzgerald singing on one of those old TV specials. She was wearing large glasses, had the song lyrics on a stand in front of her and kept shuffling the pages around whilst she was singing – all the things you’re told you’re not to do. Yet what came out of her mouth was completely engaging and beautiful. Her voice was so mellow, her vocals so effortless, her phrasing so precise, so clear. I was completely captivated. Being the reserved character I was, watching Ella made me realise that I could express my thoughts and passions through song.

I love the freedom and space of Jazz music. There are no set rules, no boundaries, no definative way to sing. Rhythm and melody can be played with, feelings explored, day to day worries lost in the wonderful world of the music. But with that freedom also comes a certain amount of fear. It’s a constant learning curve.

I love what I do. Often, on stage in the middle of a gig, I just stand and listen to the amazing musicians I’m working with and think how lucky I am to do this as a living. To be able to sing for my supper is truly a wonderful thing.

Thanks Ella!

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