Hybrid Jazz From Trish Hennessey - with Catherine Sikora!

Anyone who has followed "Hybrid Jazz" or who has read my posts on Facebook concerning music knows that I am focused on female talent.  Women who play instruments in an extraordinary way.  Strong, sure, original.  Which is why Catherine Sikora is on this episode :)  This is some kinda FEARLESS Female!  To undertake an endeavor involving only her tenor saxophone? Who does this unless one is supremely confident about one's artistry?

With "Jersey", Catherine has given us her fifth album as leader.  All About Jazz RAVES - and calls this work "Intellectually provocative."  That reviewer had a lot MORE adjectives, too - all superlatives!  Each of the 13 tracks here is a personal statement - and so many of us are interested in the reasons for wanting to make them.  This gifted Lady is unique times TEN.

Born and raised in West Cork, Ireland, Catherine is self-taught.  She moved to New York City in order to mingle with those who shared her passion for improvisation.  Did I say "mingle?"  I'd also like to mention Mingus.  As in Eric Mingus, a key figure that our guest met when she arrived in the States.  Eric had a vision of re-imagining "Tommy" by The Who. Catherine had the opportunity to be a featured soloist in that production last year.  She was also artist-in-residence at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris - where she worked on a project that was inspired by her female ancestors.

Catherine's adopted home is grateful to have her.  She might have thought that she was getting the better end of the deal because she's working with such unbelievable talent (Enrique Haneine, Stanley Zappa, Eric) - but those creative individuals feel the same about HER.  The variables that she brings to her chosen instrument are stunning.  What a joy to get to know her!  8/4/2016 :)