Philip Catherine

Philip Catherine has been on the forefront of the European jazz scene since the sixties and worked with great artists like Chet Baker, Stéphane Grappelli, Charlie Mingus and Dexter Gordon. His unique approach and sound, his dedication to music have been important and influential, and today he is a source of inspiration for many artists of the new generation.

Born in London in 1942 and being from a musical family, he developed a musical ear from an early age. When he was 18 he already toured Europe with Lou Bennett. With his recordings “September Man” and “Guitars” in the mid-seventies, jazz amateurs all over the world 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.

About the solo album “Guitars Two” (2008, Dreyfus Jazz) the magazine Guitarist Acoustic wrote : “simply one of the most beautiful cd’s of this year”. The CD “Concert in CapBreton” (2010, Dreyfus Jazz) is a magic live recording with an all star line up featuring Enrico Pieranunzi, Hein Van de Geyn and Joe LaBarbera. “Philip Catherine plays Cole Porter” - in Quartet with Karel Boehlee (p), Philippe Aerts (b) and Martijn Vink (dr) - was released in 2011 on Challenge Records and received among others the CHOC in JazzMag.

Philip Catherine celebrated his 70th birthday in October 2012 with a memorable anniversary concert at the Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts and a new CD. “Coté Jardin” (11/2012, Challenge Records) was recorded with his new quartet : great italian pianist Nicola Andrioli, young drum phenomenon Antoine Pierre and longstanding companion Philippe Aerts on bass, and enchants both jazz fans and classical music lovers.

In january 2014 the album ‘New Folks’ was released on ACT Music, a duo recording with German bassplayer Martin Wind, followed by several tours throughout Europe and the US.

The première of Philip Catherine's 'String project', a selection of his compositions in arrangements with string orchestra, took place on 13.01.2015 at Flagey/Brussels. Philip's quintet, together with the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie conducted by Frank Braley, gave a sublime concert for a full house. The performance was filmed by national TV VRT-Canvas, and a selection was released on CD in September 2015 on ACT Music : “The String Project – Live in Brussels”. R.Garszczyński wrote in JazzPress : “This is one of the best jazz recordings with strings of all times.”

In May 2016 Philip received the ECHO JAZZ AWARD 2016 'Best international guitarist' in Hamburg/Germany, with this album.

Philip Catherine will celebrate his 75th birthday in the autumn 2017. For this occasion WARNER Music France prepares a special 5-CD Box : the long awaited re-release of his early vinyl records 'September Man' and 'Guitars', the albums 'Babel' and 'End of August', completed with an unedited solo recording by Radio Bremen of 1979 & 1982.

Philip Catherine continues relentlessly and open-minded his search for renewal and perfection. The formulas with which he performs give him the rhythmic support and freedom to unfold his wide palette of musical styles, from that irresistible groovy rock sound to the broad lyrical phrases of which he is a master.

Downbeat : « He is one of the most accomplished and rewarding guitarists now playing jazz. »

Francis Marmande-‘Le Monde’ : « Philip Catherine is one of the last ‘romantics’ in jazz. Philip Catherine doesn’t play music: he is music. A lyricism that hits the unconscience. Music, music, sometimes with an air of simplicity that makes you believe nothing is easier than observe a photon in it’s course. Great art. »

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Album Reviews

Guitars Two by John Kelman
Meeting Colours by Jack Bowers
Summer Night by C. Michael Bailey
Blue Prince by AAJ Staff
Blue Prince by Glenn Astarita
Guitar Groove by Ed Kopp

June 19, 2010

Dreyfus Jazz (USA) Presents the European Modernists: Jean-Michel Pilc,...

April 10, 2008

Forthcoming Releases from Philip Catherine and Sylvain Luc's Trio Sud...

Catherine had chosen a very special line-up for his birthday concert, with not only Gerry Brown but also Antoine Pierre (TaxiWars) behind the drums, and with two pianists, Bert Vanden Brink and Nicola Andrioli, who were back to back, complementing each other perfectly and a delightful played duet. The American drummer Gerry Brown had traveled to Brussels especially for the 75th birthday of the guitarist, and that was the reason to take old songs from under the dust. Like 'Nineteen seventy fourths', a piece from September Man from 1974,(...) . With the addition of the trumpet of Bert Joris and the electric bass of Nicolas Fiszman we got to hear an energetic jazz rock à la Miles Davis. Catherine picked some highlights from his first records, which will be released on CD for the first time in a box. The indestructible 'Homecomings' and 'We'll find a way', for example, two songs from the Guitars success album. Catherine played with a youthful flair that made forget his age. ( De Standaard, Peter De Backer - 6.11.2017 )

“Though I have been listening to his music for 40 years, I had never seen him perform. It was all I hoped for and more. Philip truly embodies the entire history of the music, sometimes all in the same song. His playing as soloist and accompanist ranged from Django styled swing, to blues, to bop, to fusion and back again. Although his tone is generally that of a more “traditional” jazz guitarist, at a moment's notice, his foot would hit a pedal and the sonic landscape would drastically and beautifully change. His single note and chordal playing, though encyclopedic is also distinctly his own.” ( John Newcott, - WBGO Newark-USA , March 12, 2016 - review concert Ph.Catherine/Martin Wind/Matthew Wilson )

about 'The String Project” (ACT Music, Sept 2015) : ”The String Project: Live In Brussels” is an album that stunned me in every way, the sound, warm and sincere atmosphere, excellent arrangements and excellent sense of balance between such disparate musical worlds. This is one of the best jazz recordings with strings of all times. In 20 years the album will become the Canon of Jazz.” (JazzPress, Rafał Garszczyński – Poland, Nov. 2015)

« The Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine is one of the few European jazz musicians with international renown, a great stylist, who’se joy of music making and sensitivity of sound - over his 40 years’ career - has not faded but actually grown. Music of powerful cineastic romanticism.» ( CRESCENDO, Götz Bühler, Sept/Oct.2015 )

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