(Vocal Jazz) Cathi Ogden - Souvenirs from Stockholm - 2013, MP3, 320 kbps

#777Jazz singer and song-writer Cathi Ogden is back in Sydney to launch her new Jazz album 'SOUVENIRS FROM STOCKHOLM'. The album is described by her producer Grant Windsor as being "Swing meets Beatnik; witty and soulful, inspired by Blossom Dearie".
Cathi lives in London where she is famous for being the face of the Aussie themed UK insurance brand Sheilas' Wheels. This is a far cry from her life's work as a jazz singer and songwriter, but it makes for a highly entertaining story.
"This Aussie stood out on Jazz Fm's INSPIRED compilations with her very delicious soulful offering I CAN'T LAST A DAY...it deserves wider recognition..."
Having moved to London from her beloved home town of Sydney at the end of the 90's, Cathi signed to Debut Records and released her first solo album 'OUT THERE'. The album was listed in BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S Critics Choice: Top 10 Albums of the Year in 2001, featured on Jazz Fm for several years and was re-released in Europe by Edel Records in 2005.
Cathi joined the band FAC15 and featured on a steady stream of chill-out and dance tracks on Hed Kandi Records starting with the ever-popular cover version of 'STAY WITH ME TILL DAWN' and the seminal hangover track 'TWISTED BY THE POOL'. (FAC 15 THE EP is available on Fierce Angel Records).
Amongst other things, Cathi performed the Australian National Anthem at the Prime Minister's official welcome for President Bill Clinton at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, which was beamed live across the USA and Australia. This then lead to various performances at the Australian Embassy in Paris leading up to the Olympics in 2000. Cathi went on to play a jazz singer in the British feature film 'THESE FOOLISH THINGS' with Angelica Houston, Lauren Bacall and Terence Stamp. She also co-wrote Top 10 hits for Louise and Darude and worked with Victoria Beckham on her solo album and has worked with everyone from James Morrison to Van Morrison.
As a result of the crazy popularity of the Sheilas' Wheels TV commercials, Cathi and her fellow Sheila's, Emma and Carly, formed the aptly named girl-group THE SHEILAS and started touring the UK. The touring became even more intense after Pete Waterman signed THE SHEILAS for a one off single, which was written and produced by Stock Aitkin and Waterman who reformed especially for the project after 15 years apart. The song '(I'm so) Happy Happy (Your Mine)' can be seen on youtube - as can the Sheilas' Wheels ads and a variety of parodies dreamt up by their fans and non-fans. Cathi, Emma and Carly are still representing the brand and making new ads each year.
In October 2012, Cathi launched a three song EP called 'BIRTHDAY', selling out the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London's Soho. Her new album 'SOUVENIRS FROM STOCKHOLM' features songs from the EP and includes nine original songs and three carefully chosen covers. Fellow ex-pat Aussie Grant Windsor gathered the cream of London's jazz players and produced, arranged and played piano on the album and co-wrote the song 'State Of You'. Seven of the originals are co-written with Cathi's long-time collaborator, New York composer Jeff Franzel. Jeff started out as a jazz pianist working in the Les Brown Big band. One night Les informed Jeff that the next day they'd be backing Sinatra, saying "I could have told you last week, but that would've just given you six more days to panic". Jeff accompanied Sinatra five times in all, as well as Sammy Davis Jr and Mel Torme amongst others.
'SOUVENIRS FROM STOCKHOLM' is inspired by Cathi's love of hip, cool 50's style jazz with a slightly kooky beatnik sensibility and a sprinkling of light-hearted existential angst. Blossom Dearie, Tom Lehrer, Andre Previn and Ella Fitzgerald are among her influences.
"I can't wait to sing with the Bill Risby Trio again. Bill and I go back centuries...well last century anyway - and I've really missed working with him and performing to my home crowd. I'm so happy to be back!"