Rebecca Katz - guitar, vocals, mandolin, pennywhistle, occasional harmonica, and hand percussion whenever possible! (Better keep your tambourines and shakers to yourself....)
Plus harmony/instrumental accompaniment, when I am lucky, from my very, very talented friends. (Check them out!)
2007 Debut CD - Spendin' On Today:
Click below to order via PayPal:
Or send check or money order for $10 + $2 (shipping) to:
Rebecca Katz/RKatz Music
P.O. Box 400528
Cambridge, MA 02140
Influences
BIGGEST HERO: Nanci Griffith.
Other major Folky influences: Peter Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, John Denver, James Taylor, Julie Silver, Bill Staines, Odetta, Carrie Newcomer, Dougie MacLean, Susan Werner, Colleen Sexton, Trina Hamlin, Sara Brenner, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Eliza Gilkyson, Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, Ruthie Foster, Alice DiMicele, and Nerissa & Katryna Nields.
Major non-Folky influences: Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Roger Miller, Connie Smith, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Bill Monroe, Nickel Creek, Jimmy Webb, Motown! (all of it), John Mellencamp, Melissa Etheridge, Eileen Ivers, John Whelan, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, Jimmy Eat World, Del Amitri, Five For Fighting, Green Day, Papa Roach, Tool, Scapegoat Wax, Nelly, Miles Davis, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta Jones, Billie Holiday, plus too many classical composers to name, world music from all over, and the list goes on and on. . . .
Sounds Like
Me! I don't know. What do you think?
Here's a sample from my March 14th show at The Oasis Coffeehouse:
Rebecca Katz's favorite four-letter word is "folk."
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Rebecca has been singing, making up songs, and making noise on various instruments since she was very young. At 13, she picked up her dad's guitar so she could be the cool counselor at summer camp. A year later she wrote her first original tune and has been writing ever since.
In college at Brandeis University, Rebecca played more than 80 shows on campus. Now a nationally-touring artist based in the rich Boston folk scene, Rebecca has entertained audiences at venues up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Along the way, she has shared stages with many artists including Kym Tuvim, Liz Stahler, and Adam Levy (guitarist, Norah Jones), and had the honor of opening for Teddy Goldstein and Pamela Means.
Rebecca truly has an acoustic heart. An explorer of a myriad of genres, she will always come home to one hundred percent handmade music. Currently completing her Master's in English Literature, Rebecca considers herself a lifelong student of language and songwriting. Like her hero, Nanci Griffith, she is equally devoted to penning new songs and passing on traditional tunes and favorites by fellow writers.
For two and a half years, Rebecca co-hosted the Watch City Coffeehouse, folk presenter Bob Weiser's weekly radio program featuring traditional and contemporary acoustic music on 100.1 FM WBRS. She also served as a sound engineer and Live Music Director at WBRS, and taught private guitar lessons for two years at Cambridge Music Center in Cambridge, MA.
Above all, Rebecca enjoys connecting with people through music. Equipped with a clear, confident voice, she can as easily evoke laughter from her audiences as improvised harmony. Equal parts songwriter and storyteller, she is all-heart all the time, and brings her special touch to every room she plays.
Rebecca's debut album, Spendin' On Today, engineered by Mark Thayer at Signature Sounds Studio, was released in September 2007.
Press:
Engaging, velvet, delicious voice
"Rebecca Katz's engaging, velvet, delicious voice leaves a sweet imprint on your ears and heart. Like a warm
summer breeze, her delectable soulful melodies and comforting presence invite you into her intimate world, a circle of stories."
- Ji Yeon Song, Managing Director, The Oasis Coffeehouse (Waltham, MA)
Getting better all the time
"...very good and getting better all the time...."
- Dave Palmater, WUMB Folk Radio
Spendin' On Today: Rich with flawed and real characters
"Rich with flawed and real characters, Rebecca Katz's first EP, Spendin' on Today, invites us all into her living room to sit in that oversized brown leather chair with a cup of warm tea and watch her stories unfold before your ears.
Let yourself be drawn into her music like you would a warm fire on a snowy winter's day."
- John Campbell, WGMU (Fairfax, VA)
Classic singer-songwriter
"...a true American classic singer-songwriter."
- Jerry McCarthy, performer
A truly fresh spirit
"Rebecca Katz sings directly from her heart. A voice of soothing tones rooted in classic folk-storied-melodies, Rebecca offers a truly fresh spirit. And her sensitive humor guarantees you'll leave smiling and feeling better about life."
- Rob Mark, The Oasis Coffeehouse (Waltham, MA)
Seasoned coffeehouse performer and crowd favorite
Katz, a seasoned coffeehouse performer and crowd favorite, started off the night's acts with a relaxed vocal acoustic guitar performance. Clearly in her element on stage, she made the audience feel comfortable and welcome by constantly taking requests from the crowd as well as asking everyone to sing along...Her peaceful, soothing voice helped create an intimate, cozy atmosphere at the coffeehouse...As the crowd eagerly sang along, Katz looked the most pleased out of anyone in the room to have achieved such great audience interaction.
- Jenn Rubin, The Justice
A THOUSAND THANK YOUs!!!! you are way too kind... Colleen makes it easy - great tunes, great singing, great person! I just try not to cause too much trouble back there ;) Very best to you, S.
Thanks for joining our circle of friends, and thanks for helping to keep Redd's legacy alive! Billy & Sharon www.reddstewart.com (Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys)
Hi Rebecca, Your music is so beautiful!! I love all your songs. I think kiss me goodnight might be my fav...or If You See the One...hard to say I like them all. John Campbell mentioned your interview the other night. He says great things about you. I hope to see you play out sometime... Peace to you my friend, Carrie
A dear friend who caught your show at Kisakadee Coffee said that your songs were perfect and sweet for that hot summer evening! They loved you Mark and Hassan.
I love you too Becca. And remember, wherever there is a lonely busker who needs a friend, I'll be there. Wherever a bittersweet melody is drifting on the breath of the wind, I'll be there. Wherever a song is crying out for gentle harmonic falsetto, just call my name and I'll be there.
