Philip Catherine has been on the forefront of the European jazz scene since the sixties. His work great artists like Chet Baker, Larry Coryell, Tom Harrell, NHOP, Stéphane Grappelli, Charles Mingus, his unique approach and sound, his dedication to music have been important and influential. 

Philip Catherine was born in London in 1942. Being from a musical family (his grandfather was first violin with the London Symphony Orchestra), he developed a musical ear from an early age. At the age of 18 he toured Europe with Lou Bennett and in 1971 Jean-Luc Ponty asked him to join his quintet.  

In 1974-75 he made his first records under his name, September Man and Guitars. Jazz amateurs the world over discovered not only a brilliant guitarist, but also a talented composer: themes like "Homecomings" and "Nairam" have become famous.

Philip Catherine has played in the most prestigious concert halls, from the Berlin Philharmonic to the Carnegie Hall, from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to the Olympia and Salle Pleyel in Paris and the Palais des Beaux-Arts of Brussels, but still loves to play in jazzclubs from time to time, because of the direct communication with the audience.

Philip Catherine has received many awards, among others the "BIRD" Prize (90), together with Stan Getz, at the North Sea Festival and the "Django D'Or" (98) in Paris for 'Best European Jazz Artist'.

In 97' Philip Catherine signed with Dreyfus Records. His first album on this label - simply called Live (being the very first 'live' recording of his career) has been highly acclaimed by the international press (4½ star in Down Beat, etc...). It was followed by Guitar Groove (98), with Jim Beard on piano and keyboards, Alphonso Johnson on bass and Rodney Holmes on drums, which features twelve superb compositions by Philip and a beautiful rendering of 'Stardust'.  The album got impressive radio airplay in the USA and - very exceptional for a European jazz cd - it broke the top 20 of the Gavin Jazz Chart.

A new album, Blue Prince (nov. 99) with the great trumpet player Bert Joris, and with Hein Van de Geyn on bass and Hans Van Oosterhout on drums - has received enthousiastic acclaim from the press ("Record of the Year", in 'JazzMan' and elected among the Best albums of the Year in many magazines and newspapers). It shows again that Philip Catherine is one of the great jazzmusicians of our time.

DISCOGRAPHY

as a leader:
* SEPTEMBER MAN ('75), Atlantic 40 562²
* GUITARS ('75), Atlantic 50 193
* BABEL ('80), Electra 52 244
* END OF AUGUST ('82), WeA  K 58 450
* TRANSPARENCE ('86), Inakustik 8701CD
* SEPTEMBER SKY ('88), September 5106CD
* OSCAR ('88), Igloo 060CD
* I REMEMBER YOU ('90), Criss Cross 1048CD
* MOODS, vol.I  ('92), Criss Cross 1060CD
* MOODS, vol.II, Criss Cross 1061CD
* Philip Catherine "LIVE" ('97), Dreyfus Jazz FDM 36587
* GUITAR GROOVE ('98), Dreyfus Jazz FDM 36599
* BLUE PRINCE (2000), Dreyfus Jazz FDM36614 

and with:
Chet BAKER - "Baker/Catherine/Rassinfosse"; "Chet's Choice"; "Strollin"; "In Bologna, Live" 
Dexter GORDON - "Something Different" 
Charlie MINGUS - "Three or Four Shades of Blue" 
Larry CORYELL - "Twin House"; "Splendid" 
NHO. PEDERSEN - "The Viking"; "Art of the Duo" 
Stéphane GRAPPELLI - "Young Django"; "Live 1992"; "Grappelli/Ponty/Catherine" 
Charlie MARIANO/Jasper VAN'T HOF - "Sleep my Love" 
Charlie MARIANO/Jasper VAN'T HOF/Don ALIAS - "Operanoia" ('96) 
Didier LOCKWOOD/Chr. ESCOUDE - "Trio" 
Carla BLEY/Mike MANTLER - "More Movies" 
Barney WILEN/Palle DANIELSSON - "Sanctuary" 
 

Biography courtesy of:
Jacobien Tamsma 
PHILIP CATHERINE MANAGEMENT 
JAZZTRONAUT n.v. 
Boechoutlaan 55 
B-1853 Grimbergen / Belgium 
tel. +32 2 456 04 87 
fax +32 2 460 01 36 
e-mail: jacobien@jazztronaut.be