Cathy Segal-Garcia

Boston-bred Cathy Segal-Garcia loved jazz since the age of 5 when she would hang around with her dad (sax player Mike Segal) while she listened to and copied Ella Fitzgerald. Her mother and sisters were also musical, and the family got her started on flute at the age of 10. Cathy attended the Berklee School of Music from 1972 through 1975, where studied flute and Arranging and Composition . After college, she moved to San Francisco for a brief period, and then to Los Angeles in late 1975, where she still resides.

One of the things that has impressed her many colleagues, fans and critics is that she has consistently performed and composed over the years. Performing and recording with literally hundreds of musicians, some of the more well known include:

Pianist Russell Ferrante (The Yellowjackets) Drummer Tom Brechtlein (Robben Ford, Chick Corea) Bassist Marc Johnson (pianist Bill Evans, John Ambercrombie, John Scoffield) Bassist Gary Willis (Scott Henderson) Ledgendary guitarist Ted Greene Guitarist Jeff Richman Guitarist Mike Miller (Chick Corea) Saxophonist Bob Sheppard (Steeley Dan) Drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Stan Kenton, Steeley Dan, and many modern jazz recording artists) Pianist Kei Akagi (Miles Davis) Drummer Joey Barron (Bill Frisell, John Scoffield) Studio pianist Mike Lang Singer/pianist Diana Krall Drummer John Robinson (Quincy Jones) Pianist David Benoit Pianist Billy Childs Drummer Joey Heredia (Scott Henderson, Tania Maria) Flautist Sam Most Pianist Carl Schroeder, head of the piano department at Musicians Institute in Hollywood (Sarah Vaughn) Trumpeter Bill Berry Saxophonist Don Menza Pianist extraordinare Dave Mackay Guitarist John Pisano

The Jazz Chamber by Jerome Wilson

Bailey's Bundles

Duos – Patrice Williamson/Jon Wheatley; Bill Brovold/Jamie Saft; Randy...

Album Reviews

Bohemian by Nicholas F. Mondello

“In Control: Jazz singer Cathy 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.”

Zan Stewart ~~ Los Angeles Times

“If you closed your eyes you might think she was a highly evolved horn player...”

Larry Koonse

“Even without seeing her, you know that this voice cannot be owned by a blonde...This is a deep, rich, ballsy voice, washed in browns, blues, and other earth tones.”

Paul Anderson~~Jazzline

“A model of warm, exquisitely focused jazz vocalizing...sensuous voice and cool harmonies.”

Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s most compelling quality is a warm, dark sound, luxurious enough to wrap a song in an envelope of lush timbres.” Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s songs appeal to the individual

“In Control: Jazz singer Cathy 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.”

Zan Stewart ~~ Los Angeles Times

“If you closed your eyes you might think she was a highly evolved horn player...”

Larry Koonse

“Even without seeing her, you know that this voice cannot be owned by a blonde...This is a deep, rich, ballsy voice, washed in browns, blues, and other earth tones.”

Paul Anderson~~Jazzline

“A model of warm, exquisitely focused jazz vocalizing...sensuous voice and cool harmonies.”

Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s most compelling quality is a warm, dark sound, luxurious enough to wrap a song in an envelope of lush timbres.” Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s songs appeal to the individual. Through her music, she communicates with everyone and anyone in an easygoing manner. Hers is a performance that grows naturally toward all who are exposed.”

Jim Santella

(Song Of The Heart) “...The freshest vocal project which I’ve ever been involved in, and it’s one of my favorite tapes of the past year...This recording deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.”

Peter Erskine

(Song Of The Heart) “The choice of material is top notch — very interesting. The duets were special, the interplay, dynamics, Cathy’s range and intonation are great!”

Marc Johnson

“The true spirit is there. “Secret Life” finds the singer at her best, doing what she has done successfully for years, telling a story through song, intimately, as if she were standing next to you, sharing a moment of warm sunshine together.” Jim Santella

“Segal-Garcia exhibits an earthiness that is both compelling and entrancing.”

-Christopher Loudon JAZZ TIMES-

“Secret Life brings another dimension to Cathy Segal-Garcia's musical journey. This CD has all the elements of an artist discovering new emotional horizons and combining various influences & styles into the mix. Garcia has the talent and sensitivity to bring the best together and to produce something different.” Helen Simons The JazzXpress Caravan 94.1FM Jazz Radio Gold Coast Queensland, Australia

“Garcia's “Secret LIfe” will not remain a secret for long.. This CD represents the talent and thoughtful efforts of a top notch musician..” Fernando Bernall ….. JazzRadio247.com

“When the Sirens, in the days of ancient Greece, enticed sailors with their song, at least one of them must have sounded like Cathy Segal-Garcia…the clear, cool, perfectly pitched Segal-Garcia voice.”

David Nathan …….Marge Hofacre’s JAZZ NEWS

“Cathy Segal Garcia is a magical weaver of lyric that tells stories with tones and lilting phrases that delight the mind and soul and are melodic to the ear when she performs!!” Johnny Gorman

CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA Secret Life (DHR)

“With a voice that suggests the mid-career Carly Simon, Segal-Garcia exhibits an earthiness that is both compelling and entrancing. As a lyricist, she is capable and wise, if not startlingly inventive. Her explorations of love, friendship and spirituality are thoughtfully crafted and certainly deliver on her promise of genre-spanning influences… “Miko Oiwake,” which speaks with fragile beauty of her love for Japanese culture, tradition and history… and her expansive, exuberant “The Song,” a soaring, multicultural celebration of female empowerment.”

-Christopher Loudon ~~ Jazz Times 2008

Show less

Primary Instrument

Vocalist

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Too many to mention! please see my website for my experience, past and present! Hours vary, depending on my availability, as do rates. Call me!

Clinic/Workshop Information

I have several that i teach. Scatting...introducing it to all levels, making it easy to approach and understand. Scatting for experienced vocalists as well. Voice technique classes... about the physiology of the vocal instrument, how to problem solve, and how to get the most out of what you have! Business workshops...where to look for gigs, how to create them, hire the musicians for them, how to keep and PR the gig