Cat House is a profoundly personal project that reflects the ups and downs of a life lived with empathy and a keen awareness of the heart’s vicissitudes. Conner sings with a wide range of emotional expression and a depth of feeling that cuts right to the essence of the lyric. The songs on this disc are not the usual fare. They were chosen because each one tells a story that resonates with Conner’s own experiences and outlook. From playful and suggestive to poignant and passionate, Conner opens the door to her Cat House and invites you in for an intimate tour. Produced by Cat Conner, John Chiodini & Paul Taverner (for bio see below) featuring Cat Conner – vocals John Chiodini – guitar Tom Ranier – piano Gene Cipriano – tenor sax, clarinet, bass oboe, bass clarinet Chuck Berghofer – bass Joe LaBarbera – drums Ron Stout – trumpet Dick Nash – trombone Stephanie O’Keefe – French horn Bob Carr – bassoon, bass clarinet, alto flute Recording each one of my 13 lucky tunes has helped me to express my joy, let go of shame and understand my experiences in my life and love. As I am flirting with my golden years, I was utterly compelled to put together my big juicy vision! I refuse to be haunted by ghosts of the past and I choose to be here in the moment and not live in fear … but in love! Everything I Love/Everything I Desire – Along with the relatively unknown, quirky verse, this delightful Cole Porter tune was brought to my attention by the great woodwind player, Gary Foster. John wrote a kicking soli line for me to scat with him, but words just poured out to say how I felt being in love right now! That became Everything I Desire. Just listen to John’s fabulous solo and comping. Handsome Man – Duke Ellington first wrote the idiosyncratic “Star Crossed Lovers” and Billy Strayhorn added his devastatingly lonely lyrics: Pretty Girl, which I sing as Handsome Man. These words speak to me of my own troubled times.This deep, glorious arrangement by the talented and intuitive David Angel has the horns cradling me in a rich, comforting pillow of air-born artistry. Sans Souci (no worries) – Peggy Lee’s lyrics convey the feeling of leaving a dark place. Life is too precious to waste on those who don’t respect or appreciate you! Having worked with Peggy Lee, John wrote this amazingly deep arrangement that really captured what I was feeling. Cip’s mysterious bass oboe is exotic and haunting, Joe’s masterful hands dance on the skins, John’s guitar supports and punctuates with spacey guitar riffs, and Chuck unites us with his cool bass groove. Giant Steps – I never thought I would find someone at this point in my life, but I did envision exactly what I wanted, and he appeared! My dear friend Meredith d’Ambrosio (with a little help from Ron Hurston) wrote these succinct, affirmative lyrics to John Coltrane’s historic bebop tune. Chiodini’s sensitive, Latin arrangement and Tom’s lilting yet burning piano solo can’t help but put you in the mood for love! Throw Me Away – One lovely day you’re lost in love and the next, he’s gone. Michael Dees, a very talented singer/songwriter, wrote this as a bebop tune. The lyrics are so clever that I didn’t want to fly over them too fast, so we played it with a slow, buttery groove. Cip’s easy, enchanting clarinet somehow gives the whole tune an uplifting air. Remind Me – Oh, that moment when you realize your lover might not be right for you. This luscious arrangement was written by Brian Swartz, a superb singer/trumpeter, who really captured the essence of this amazing tune. The wonderful Stephanie O’Keefe on French horn, Cip on English horn and me, the Canadian horn! Baltimore Oriole – Here’s to the “player,” the smooth talker who says all the words you want to hear and hustles your heart right out from under you! Ron Stout’s soulful, yearning trumpet adds the perfect flair of elegant intrigue. Heart’s Desire – Dream Big in this beautiful life! Dave Frishberg wrote these delightfully positive lyrics to Alan Broadbent’s beautiful ballad. I thought that its sheer joy in following your dream fit well into a frolicsome Latin beat. John’s clever and inspiring arrangement and his playful solo are the perfect complement. Wishing on the Moon – Wishing and dreaming for that mate who brings you joy every time you think of them. Wanting the simple joys in life, Tom takes us on a walk in the moonlight in his inspired piano solo. You’re Driving Me Crazy – Have you ever had that realization that you don’t enjoy being with the person you thought you loved? This song was written in the 1930’s, and it is still apropos today. I was thrilled to have the sublime trombonist, Dick Nash join Cip and me on this frolicking old standard. Come On Strong – Sometimes a dame just has to ask for what she wants. This unique, powerful and sexy tune is a relatively unknown Cahn/Van Heusen composition that fit perfectly into the Cat House! What A Little Moonlight Can Do – This is love in full, joyous bloom, but with a touch of apprehension. Joe sets the whole vibe for this smokin’ tempo and John and Tom trade solos playing their asses off! People Say (Song for Rob) – I found my extraordinary son, Rob, many years after I unwillingly gave him up for adoption. I wrote this song to finally allow me to say how it felt for all those years of yearning for him. Produced by Cat Conner, John Chiodini & Paul Tavenner Arrangements by John Chiodini (except 2, 6, 9, 11) David Angel: arranger (2) Brian Swartz: arranger (6) Recorded, mixed and mastered by Paul Tavenner at Big City Recording Photography by Barbara Porter Graphic design by Alan Wexler Cat Conner fell in love with jazz at the age of 14 when she heard jazz greats like Oscar Peterson & Carmen McRae. Her mum took her to jazz matinees in her hometown of Toronto, Canada and later worked as a hostess in a club where she was thrilled to hear the Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson & Stan Kenton big bands, every night of the week. Eddie Lockjaw Davis & Zoot Simms were surprised to find a young Canadian girl who loved the music so much. Hearing her rich speaking and singing voice, Stan Getz set her up with a vocal teacher who got her started singing what was in her heart. She continued to study with many of the top vocal coaches in the country. In Toronto, Cat sang in all the hottest jazz spots with Don “DT” Thompson, Peter Appleyard, The Maple Leaf Jazz Band and many members of the Boss Brass. Looking for warmer weather, Cat moved to San Diego where she sang in all the jazz clubs and with the best Jazz musicians in the area. 17 years later Cat moved up the coast to Los Angeles and has continued to play in jazz clubs up and down the West Coast, singing with great jazz artists such as Mundell Lowe, Joe Pass, Freddie Hubbard, Don Menza, Andy Simpkins, Bob Magnusson, Bruce Paulson and Joe LaBarbera. Cat was featured with the great "Skeets" Herford Big Band and was guest vocalist on bassist Chris Conner’s CD “The Journey” Some of Cat’s career highlights are singing in Paris and Brazil, a big band tour on the Mexican Riviera and many appearances on Catalina Island with the Windjammers Big Band, festivals with The Chicago 6, as well as opening for the world-famous Buddy Ebsen. In February 2010 Cat recorded her debut CD "Cat Tales,” with George Mesterhazy on piano, Gene Cipriano on woodwinds & Jim Hughart on bass at Paul Tavenner's studio, Big City Music. Most recently Conner has sung with Emil Richard's Big Band, Pete Christlieb's Tall & Small band & David Angel's Saxtet at the world famous Lighthouse. In 2013 Cat was a featured artist along with Sue Raney at the AJI's Frankie Laine 100th birthday celebration concert. Cat is pleased to announce the of her new CD Cat House, released to glowing reviews!