Cat Cohen (vocals, keyboards, horns), Ed Tree (producer/guitar, bass), Jorgen Ingmar (drums), Monique DeBose (vocal backups), Steve Kobashigawa (vocal backups), Kelly Williard (vocal backups)
Influences
Steely Dan, Mose Allison, Laura Nyro, Leon Russel, Dr. John, Elton John, Aaron Neville, The Beatles, Aretha, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Bob Marley, Luther Vandross, Cheryl Lynn, Patti LaBelle, Philly Soul, Joe Cocker, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Paul Simon, The Neville Brothers, Carlos Santana, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters, Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, Dan Penn, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Michael Franks, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Floyd Cramer, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley
Sounds Like
Mose Allison, Dr. John, Van Morrison, Elton john, B.B. King, Billy Joel, Leon Russel, Joe Cocker, Louis Armstrong, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson
After a long career of writing pop, R&B, jazz and blues songs professionally for others (CHERYL LYNN, SYREETA, FREDDIE HUBBARD, and BO DIDDLEY) and teaching countless students commercial songwriting secrets, CAT COHEN is now practicing what he’s been preaching for so many years. In this age of the indie artist he’s recorded ten of his most insightful and expressive efforts himself, SONGS OF SURVIVAL AND SWEET SURRENDER. Working with veteran guitarist-producer ED TREE and vocal coaches TRACY VIGNATI and MAMA O, Cat has literally done a Mr. Holland’s Opus with this collection of soulful boomer funky jazzy rock tunes that pay homage to the writing and vocal styles of MOSE ALLISON, STEELY DAN, BILLY JOEL, VAN MORRISON, BONNIE RAITT, and LUTHER VANDROSS. This conceptual album with its unique blend of pop styles, takes the discriminating listener on a gritty inspirational journey through contemporary struggles for physical, economic, emotional and spiritual survival in these challenging times.
A NARAS member and ASCAP songwriter, CAT has also co-written a jazz instrumental featured in the HBO movie THE RAT PACK as well as a funk tune for the hit Universal feature film UNDERCOVER BROTHER. He also wrote a children's operetta for OPERA PACIFIC which was performed in schools across the Southern california area. Cat wrote the chapter on music theory for John Braheny's book The Craft And Business Of Songwriting.
CAT has long taught songwriting at UCLA EXTENSION and is an artist development instructor at MUSICIAN'S INSTITUTE in Hollywood. Recently he has been added to the music faculty at CAL POLY POMONA. He coaches and consults for keyboard players, singers and songwriters in private sessions in the L.A. area.
An accomplished author as well, CAT recently self-published the book SONGWRITING FOR YOUR ORIGINAL ACT which asks all performers the hard questions about who they are, who their audience is, and their core messages. It is a must for the serious performing songwriter, and is available at amazon.com or directly from the author at cat@catcohen.com.
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After challenging his songwriting students to come up with an anti-Iraq War song, he wrote BUSH'S FOLLY. Last year he released a single BLUE STATE OF MIND/BUSH’S FOLLY which was well received by some leading politicians, and also made a difference to someone whose brother is serving in IRAQ. . Here is what they all had to say:
Thank you very much for the CD of self-composed songs (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). I will place it on public display in my office as property of the State of Wisconsin.
-- Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D - Wisconsin)
Thank you for your copy of your CD (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). You were very thoughtful to include me in the distribution of this work.
-- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D - New York)
A myspace member from Missouri sent him this email about Bush's Folly.
I just wanted to let you know how much your song Bush's Folly means to me. I have a brother in Iraq right now, he's back on his 5th tour of duty and is struggling with PTSD/suicidal thoughts.
Best,
Trevor
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Cat sometimes performs at Kulak's Woodshed. Below are a couple of videos of him singing two of his songs at the piano, SHIP IN THE NIGHT and BLUE STATE OF MIND.
SHIP IN THE NIGHT -- LIVE @ KULAK'S WOODSHED, 1/8/07 BLUE STATE OF MIND -- LIVE @ KULAK'S WOODSHED, 10/30/06
HEY! Thanks for the add, its been a long time since the days of Cliff and Christy, I even took a few piano lessons from you back then, KEEP ROCKIN! Nick
Cat Attack! Cat not only are you instantly likeable as an artist and a person u have the BEST workshops for musicians! Cheap as I am I was going to borrow Linda's copy of yr book 'Songwriting for Your Original Act' but I think I'm gonna need my own 'cause I keep going back to it! Especially enjoyed the new song u played at LAWIM - you are so expressive! (Pls pardon my gushing!) - Anna
Flower Power: The Music Of The Love Generation! A 10 CD set showcasing 175 songs from the Love Generation! Time Life has released a comprehensive musical retrospective of the Flower Power era, featuring 175 songs from such legendary artists as Bob Dylan, The Mamas and the Papas, The Lovin Spoonful, The Byrds, Richie Havens, The Electric Prunes, Janis Joplin, The Kinks, The Band, and Jefferson Airplane, to name only a few. Go to Myspace.com/FlowerPowerBoxSet to find out more!
Dear Cat - I think it is wonderful that you have come out with your own stamp to add to the color of the independent music world. All the best with your release and perhaps we'll cross paths again sometime at a showcase or elsewhere. Thanks for inviting me and my music to join your community! Yours in song, Manisha
WORD OF THE WEEK (5/21-5/28) IS: "FLOW"
1. The availability, access and movement of ideas and thoughts, both within an individual and between individuals.
2. A sense of effortless mastery one feels in moments that stand out as special. Some refer to it as 'being in the zone'.
3. The movement of energy, material, or information from one place to another.
4. To be abundantly present; "The champagne flowed at the wedding"
5. The motion characteristic of fluids
Love and Respect from Camp G. Have a great week. - Keepin' the music and words flowin' for you, Jake Glasgow (Mister G)
Howdy, neighbor howdy!
Be one of the 1st to hear
“COMMITTED TO PARKVIEW”
It’s an AMAZING song written by
JOHNNY CASH
For
PORTER WAGONER
&
be sure to pick up
Porter’s NEW album
WAGONMASTER
In stores JUNE 5th on ANTI-Records!
“COMMITTED TO PARKVIEW”
& many other incredible NEW songs are featured on the album!
Thanks & take care,
James Hunnicutt
Glad to hear you can't get "Chasing Miracles" out of your head, Cat! I must be on the right track! It's all due to you, so in this case, I can't reimburse you for the brain surgery.
