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 studied voice at the Leeds College of Music. Since graduating she has performed at top venues such as the 100 Club, the 606 Club as well as travelling all over Europe with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra, culminating in a two month stint as resident Jazz singer in a 5 star Hotel in Asia.

    Catherine has performed at numerous prestigious Jazz Festivals and has appeared with Big bands such as The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, The Nick Ross Orchestra, The Manhattan Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra and Tony Jacob’s ten piece ‘Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra’

    Her previous album ‘Signing In’ was featured on Humphrey Lyttleton’s ‘Best of Jazz’ programme on Radio 2 and her latest album ‘Something Wonderful’ puts a fresh, contemporary twist on much loved Jazz standards, allowing her to make them
    her own.

  • Live

    Live Dates

    14th January – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 0161 9079000

    21st January – Beck Theatre, Hayes with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 0208 5618371

    22nd January – Civic Centre, Chelmsford with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01245 606505

    24th January – Hexagon, Reading with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 0118 9606060

    25th January – Broadway Theatre, Catford with Tony Jacobs and Company. To book call 0208 6900002

    28th January – The Riverfront, Newport with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01633 656757

    29th January – Wyllyotts Centre, Potters Bar with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01707 645005

    4th February – Civic Hall, Bedworth with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01203 376707

    5th February – Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01242 572573

    11th February – Riverhead Theatre, Louth with The Piccadilly Revellers. To book call 01507 600350

    12th February – Churchill Theatre, Bromley with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 0208 4606677

    13th February – The New Victoria Theatre, Woking with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01483 545900

    18th February – Sands Centre, Carlisle with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK. To book call 01228 625222

    21st February – Rose and Crown, Severn Stoke. The Peggy Lee Songbook with The Catherine Sykes Quartet. To book call 01242 587776

    26th February – The Coronation Tap, Bristol, 4pm. The Catherine Sykes Quartet. 0117 9739617

  • 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 Lyttleton 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 and suppose still am, watching Ella made me realise that I could express my thoughts and passion 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. How much do I change the feel or phrasing? How much space can I leave before the song collapses? It’s a constant learning curve.

This album includes some of my constant companions. I know songs like I’ve Got a Crush on You, Lean Baby and I Could Write a Book so well that they have almost become a part of me but I also wanted to explore some lesser known standards. London by Night, for example, reminds me of the time when I was just starting out and would travel home late from gigs in the West End, along the Embankment towards the East End where I lived. I would always drive slowly and gaze at the string of lights along the river, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the OXO Tower, all reflected in the Thames. Occasionally I would park up, get out of the car and have a moment to myself.

I still have those moments, of course. Often, 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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to contact Catherine:

07881 786 078