Catherine Jane Whitney (born in Chicago, Illinois) is an American jazz singer, composer, and lyricist. She was a lyricist for trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.[1]

Catherine Whitney
circa 2006
circa 2006
Background information
BornChicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Singer, lyricist
InstrumentVocals
Years active1990s–present
Websitewww.catherinewhitney.com

Whitney learned about music as a child, since her mother, Dorothy Brady, made a living as a vocalist and bandleader in Chicago in the 1950s and '60s. Her stepfather was George E. Lescher, a pianist who played with the Spike Jones Band during World War II and was a longtime Chicago resident. In later years, he led the George Lescher Ballroom Orchestra.[2]

Whitney began her professional jazz singing career in the early 1990s under the mentoring of Von Freeman, a tenor saxophonist in Chicago.[3] Jerry Brown and Gloria Cooper have recorded her work and three songs (in collaboration with Curtis Fuller, Rodgers Grant, and Milton Sealey).[4] In October 2010, New York jazz vocalist Suzanne Pittson recorded a rendition of Freddie Hubbard's song "Our Own" (based on "Gibraltar"), which contained lyrics by Whitney.[5] She has collaborated with Johnny Griffin, Houston Person, Clifford Jordan, Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown, and Pete Cosey. She is also a Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) affiliated writer.[6]

She has worked with many Chicago musicians, including Von Freeman,[7] John Young, Jodie Christian, John Bany, Richie Cole, Robert Shy, Tommy Muellner, Rusty Jones, Jose Valdes, Arnold Gitard, and Johnie Faren.

References

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  1. ^ "Hubtones Music Co. – LoroMusic.com and Gopam Enterprises". www.gopammusic.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-16. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  2. ^ Publication: Chicago Sun-Times Date: March 22, 1986 Section: NEWS Edition: FIVE STAR SPORTS FINAL Page: 43
  3. ^ Critic, Howard Reich, Tribune Arts (3 August 1993). "JAZZ HEIRS". chicagotribune.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Publication: Hal Leonard print publication #HHL0074021 "Sing JAZZ! Leadsheets for 76 Jazz Vocals "
  5. ^ Publication: All About Jazz – New York, October 2010, No. 102, p. 21 ([1] Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine)
  6. ^ [2] Archived 2016-01-15 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Publication:Article from Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) Article date:August 28, 1998 Author:Barbara Vitello, 2009 Paddock Publications.
  • Second Floor Music Co., New York, NY, "One Heart's Dream" lyrics by Catherine Whitney, music by Rodgers Grant, 1994, 1987
  • Second Floor Music Co., New York, NY, "Sweet And True" lyrics by Catherine Whitney, music by Curtis Fuller, 1994
  • Second Floor Music Co., New York, NY, "New York Dream" lyrics by Catherine Whitney, music by Clifford Jordan, 1994
  • Hubtones Music Co., "First Light" lyrics by Catherine Whitney, music by Freddie Hubbard, 1994, 1971
  • Hubtones Music Co., "Our Own" lyrics by Catherine Whitney, music by Freddie Hubbard, 1994
  • "Sing JAZZ!" Various Vocal(Arranged by Dr. Gloria Cooper) / Published by Second Floor Music, distributed by Hal Leonard (Stock No.: HHL0074021)
  • Chicago Tribune article "Jazz Heirs Freeman Shines Among Rising Stars" August 3, 1993|By Howard Reich, Tribune Arts Critic.
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