Cathy is a 30-year veteran teacher-composer-producer-performer. Critic Zan Stewart of the Los Angeles Times summed up her talent: "In Control: Jazz singer Segal-Garcia's style leans toward heavily melodic vehicles that show off her flowing, at-ease, rhythmic sense ? A voice that's soft and warm as cashmere." Visit her website: www.cathysegalgarcia.com
"It's easy to create realities and/or change realities, when you have a group who believes in what you believe in. As the jazz community here on planet Earth, we can do whatever we want to. It's really that simple? Yup...we can change our jazz concepts and create ones...we really can. We need leaders and we need supporters."
I have had a hard time moving on from my last blog....for various reasons. One is that I'm busy! I don't know about you, but sometimes I just can not confront sitting down to write for a blog...honestly, it seems low on the priority list! However, on the other side of that, its truly divine to be able to communicate, isn't it....so, I thank Michael for making it available! Another reason I haven't is because I like what I had written, and it's hard to move on....what if I don't say something equally as important?
I'd like to talk about the value of people. I've started several organizations in the last 5 years...one, which dissolved this year, but had a good run, the JZVOC...the Jazz Vocal Coalition...singers Ellen Johnson and April Lang and I started this organization, with the idea of singers joining together to move and shake a few things up! Ellen took over as the President, and ran a very good group, accomplishing some fine things.
Last year I started the California Pop & Jazz Council, with Robert Walker and Linda Smith and Julie Newsome. We now have about 60 members; singers, musicians, and fans... and have ongoing events at the different jazz locations around the city. Most wonderfully, in March 07 we had our first annual awards event, and honored local hero Dini Clarke, at the Jazz Bakery. We had about 200 people turn out, and the show ran for 3 hours...music and awards and speeches. It was fabulous!
Why was it fabulous? A group of people, most of whom see the glass half full, grouped together and got excited. Grouped together and decided to do things. Grouped together and created a reality that stemmed out of love. Love for the music, love for certain people, love for life.
Oh my! I have again revealed myself as a positive person! This always stirs up the hornets' nests...over the years it's gotten me in trouble! There are people who just can't have that....if life was that good, that easy to create beauty in...they figure why are they going around feeling punished? So...they start to tear down the pretty scenery, in many various ways. Yup, I've been attacked on different emotional levels, true enough. So why do I keep going?
Well...I could blame it on my mother! As I was growing up, never ending energy and creativity was what my mother led us with. My dad was a sax player, always gigging, and Mom was a mom, always aware of her children and how to improve them. Yeah, my sisters were like DieHard batteries too. One sister since died, and my other sister has an attitude in life very much like me. Yes, I do believe the role models you have form some kind of operating character. Somewhere you do take over with your own concepts, imagination, and decisions. The older I get, the more I believe absolutely anything can be done!
It's easy to create realities and/or change realities, when you have a group who believes in what you believe in. As the jazz community here on planet Earth, we can do whatever we want to. It's really that simple. It adds up to responsibility though...and taking responsibility, although an admired trait, is not always taught well...so we must stumble on to it, and then recognize it, and then pick it up! Yup...we can change our jazz concepts and create ones...we really can. We need leaders and we need supporters.
To check out a few of these leaders and supporters, either go to www.capopandjazzcouncil.org or come to my Jam Session at the Sporstsmen's Lodge in Studio City on Wednesday nights. We've been there 6 years, and that's where the people for the organization stemmed out of. It's the greatest party of the week, every week! If you're ready to be inspired by people who love the music and want to grow ... come by and hang! You won't be disappointed!
-- xoxo Cathy
You don't realize when you listen to Armstrong's records how great this man was and how hard that Hot Five music was to play. After reading and playing those parts, I have an even greater respect for Louis Armstrong than before.
– Freddie Hubbard
Q: What do a violin and a lawsuit have in common?
A: Everyone is relieved when the case is closed.
