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Singer-songwriter
Cathi Walkup is clear about what she wants and
isn't shy about how to get it. She also has an
infectious sense of humor that endears her to
audiences and fellow musicians alike.
Pianist Al Plank echoes these sentiments. "Cathi's
a fine singer who has integrity, good taste, and
energy," he says. "She's also a skilled writer
and, of course, being a fun person to be with
doesn't hurt. She has so much positive energy.
She's a a real upper and I really appreciate
that in a person. Cathi's got it."
The Saint Louis, Missouri, native has that and more.
She's quick with the quips and one-liners and
loves to tell musician jokes. ("What do you call
a trombonist with a beeper? An optimist.") But
she's serious about what she wants musically. |
Walkup sings in a smooth alto that dives and
loops and slips in between the melody. Some have
compared her to Anita O'Day, but Walkup modestly
concedes that's far too generous a compliment.
Her style varies. "... different sounds are
appealing to me. I like a more rhythmic approach
to words, and I think that's true of most
singers. Part of what draws us to the music is
the lyrics. Although a lot of times it can also
be a particular sound or phrase of the song that
draws you to it initially, and then it grows
into something else that encompasses the whole
song, which refines your approach to stuff." She
hesitates and adds, "and then you're always
looking to push that a little bit further."
Walkup has lived in San Francisco since 1976. She made
her musical debut in 1980 with the group Mixed
Bags. In 1993 she formed Cathi Walkup's Swing
Thing, performing an eclectic combination of
Jazz and swing. She studied voice with Hugh
McClure and theory with Jim Grantham. She has
been joined on stage by Grover Washington Jr. at
the Tollhouse in Los Gatos, California, and has
received airplay on Jazz Welle Plus, a Jazz
station in Munich, Germany. She has played
Enrico's, Garibaldi's, the Noe Valley Ministry,
and the Plush Room in San Francisco; Daniel's
Highland Cafe in Albany, California; Ward's
Rafters in Diamond Head, Hawaii; and the Coffee
Mill in Oakland. Her music has been heard on
radio stations KCSM, KPFA, and KUSF and also in
Poland. Hey, this woman's voice gets around!
"Being out there and playing is where you really
learn," she says. "That's where the culmination
of all the work that you do at home happens or
doesn't, as the case maybe. You find out what
you need to be doing or what's really working
for you, and I think all musicians really need
that. They need to be in front of an audience at
some point in time." |
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"Playing Favorites"
1.
Tanya's Wicked Body
2. What Say?
3. Mambo de la Luna
4.
The Ruby and the Pearl
5. Flying
6. Blood Count
7.
In These Shoes?
8. Down Here on the Ground
9. This Time the Dream's On Me
10. Soon It's Gonna Rain
11. Hang Up & Drive
12.0 Not While I'm Around
13. Anthropology
14. Some Things Never Change |
Vocals - Cathi Walkup, guitar
- Brad Buethe
piano - David Udolf, flugelhorn
- Dmitri Matheny
bass - John Wiitala, drums -
Jim Zimmerman |
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"Living in a Daydream"
1. Little Suzie's Humming
2. Nice Work If You Can Get It
3. Angel Eyes
4. Living In a Daydream
5. More Than Poor Clay
6. A Kiss to Build a Dream On
7.
Cheek to Cheek
8. I Mean That
9. Reflections
10.
Waffles and Hen
11. Favela |
Vocals - Cathi Walkup, Vibes &
flute - Jerry Grosz
piano - Vince DiCiccio, 7-string
guitar - Robin Lewis
bass - John Wiitala, Bill Douglas
and John Clark
guitar - Brad Buethe, Egg Shaker
- Ian Dogole
saxophone - Harvey Robb, drums
- Curt Moore |
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