Philip Catherine – Guitars (1975)

LPFrontCover1Philip Catherine (born 27 October 1942) is a Belgian jazz guitarist.

Philip Catherine was born in London to an English mother and Belgian father and was raised in Brussels. His grandfather played violin in the London Symphony Orchestra. Catherine started on guitar in his teens, and by seventeen he was performing professionally at local venues.

He released his debut album, Steam, in 1970. During the next few years, he studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and with Mick Goodrick and George Russell. In 1976, he PhilipCatherine1980_02and guitarist Larry Coryell recorded and toured as an acoustic duo. The following year he recorded with Charles Mingus, who dubbed him “Young Django”. In the early 1980s, he toured briefly with Benny Goodman. He was in trio with Didier Lockwood and Christian Escoudé, then in a trio with Chet Baker. During the 1990s, he recorded three albums with trumpeter Tom Harrell.

Catherine has also worked with Lou Bennett, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Stéphane Grappelli, Karin Krog, Paul Kuhn, Sylvain Luc, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, Palle Mikkelborg, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Enrico Rava, Toots Thielemans, and Miroslav Vitous. (by wikipedia)

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And here´s his 5th solo album:

Philip Catherine is a Belgian jazz guitarist who was born in London but raised in Brussels. He has a virtuoso technique and insight into sophisticated structures and harmonies. We’ll Find a Way and Homecomings are the best examples of s style that is intellectual and fluid at the same time. He plays a lot of different stringed instruments, including 12-string, acoustic, electric and banjo. The combo with saxophone and trio provides a background of changing colours. (by Bonnie Laurel)

Very friendly tunes, inspired, knowledgeable and long forgotten.
I adore “Homecomings”. (by kingberzerk)

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Personnel:
Gerry Brown (drums)
Philip Catherine (guitar, banjo,bass, piano, bulbul tarang)
Rob Franken (keyboards)
Jasper van’t Hof (piano)
John Lee (bass)
Charlie Mariano (saxophone)

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Tracklist:
01. We’ll Find A Way (Lee) 5.17
02. Five Thousand Policemen (Catherine) 1.59
03. Sneezing Bull (Catherine) 7.20
04. Rene Thomas (Catherine) 4.45
05. Moss And Weeds (Catherine) 1.17
06. Homecommings (Catherine) 5.59
07. Charlotte (Mariano) 3.57
08. Noburl (Catherine) 8.28
09. Isabelle (Catherine) 1.50

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The bulbul tarang:
Bulbul Tarang

More from Philip Catherine:
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The official website:
Website

Philip Catherine Trio – Moods Vol. 1 (1993)

FrontCover1An immensely gifted Belgian guitarist, Philip Catherine is a highly regarded performer known for his harmonically nuanced, deeply lyrical playing and crisply rounded fretboard touch. Born in London in 1942 to an English mother and Belgian father, Catherine moved to Brussels with his family at a young age. As a teenager, he became interested in the guitar, influenced at the time by French singer/songwriter and poet George Brassens. By age 14 he was taking lessons, and learning the basic elements of jazz improvisation when he discovered Django Reinhardt. He quickly absorbed the jazz legend’s distinctive style, and eventually picked up other influences, including Belgian guitarist René Thomas. He also immersed himself in albums by such luminaries as Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, and others. (by Matt Collar)

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The trio of guitarist Philip Catherine, flügelhornist Tom Harrell, and bassist Hein Van DeGeyn mostly performs group originals on this introspective, relaxed, and thoughtful set. Michel Herr’s keyboards add atmosphere to three numbers. The music is subtle post-bop, sometimes quite eerie (such as the closing “A Time for Love”), and generally unpredictable. This set, and the slightly superior Moods, Vol. 2, deserve several listens. (by Scott Yanow)

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Personnel:
Philip Catherine (guitar)
Hein van de Geyn (bass)
Tom Harrell (flugelhorn, trumpet)
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Michel Herr (keyboards on 01., 05. + 07.)

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Tracklist:
01. Côté Jardin (Catherine) 12.29
02. The Man I Love (Gershwin) 9.09
03. Moods (Catherine) 2.01
04. December 26th Variation I (Catherine) 7.56
05. Romance (Harrell) 6.35
06. Fridge Blues (de Gey) 7.15
07. Côté Cours (Catherine) 2.45
08. Angel Wings (Catherine) 5.38
09. A Time For Love (Mandel) 3.39

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Hein van de Geyn

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Chet Baker Trio – Estate (2008)

FrontCover1This 1983 studio date, titled Crystal Bells here yet previously released under other titles, features trumpet Chet Baker performing within a trio setting with the Belgian duo of guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse. Although famously known as an intuitive musician who played by ear, by the ’80s Baker’s improvisation had coalesced into a beautifully logical, root harmony-based style in which one can discern the exact progressions of any given tune simply by listening to him. Here, his lines connect, turn by turn, melody upon melody like a pastel jigsaw puzzle forming before your eyes. Subsequently, Baker thrived in the company of the like-minded Belgians, whose bop-inflected technical prowess on their instruments was also matched by their deft sense for melodicism and sympathetic group interplay. As accompanists alone, they’re superb cohorts for the jazz legend, hanging their ears on each of his notes, outlining the harmonies behind him, and buoying his soft, lyrical phrases. There are also subtle stylistic juxtapositions within the trio with Catherine’s choice of electric, amplified guitar allowing for the occasional foray into country twang, or ambient, fusion-infused colorations. Similarly, though, Rassinfosse’s velvety double-bass lines reveal the influence of the impressionistic tone of Ron Carter, and he never fails to imply a clipped rhythmic pulse; a necessary skill in the drummerless setting Baker often favored in his later years. Ultimately, Crystal Bells is an absolutely magical session with inspired performances that still ring true so many years after Baker’s passing. (by Matt Collar)

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And here´s a review of this re-isssue edition:
Recorded in Belgium in 1983, Estate features Chet Baker backed by one of his best European trios with guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse. A lithe guitarist with a sophisticated style well matched to Baker’s melodic lyricism, Catherine is as much a featured player here as sideman. Although Great American Songbook compositions were always Baker’s preference, here he primarily eschews the Broadway canon in favor of lesser-played jazz standards including Horace Silver’s “Strollin’,” Charlie Mariano’s “Crystal Bells,” and Richie Beirach’s softly played tango “Leaving.” Although the aforementioned tracks have been released under alternate album titles, the trio’s 1985 live recording of “My Funny Valentine” is included here as an added bonus. For longtime fans, Estate is essential latter-career Baker. (by Matt Collar)

Original front + backcover:
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Personnel:
Chet Baker (trumpet, vocals on 07.)
Philip Catherine (guitar)
Jean-Louis Rassinfosse (bass)

Chet Baker Trio
Tracklist:
01. Crystal Bells (Mariano) 6.14
02. Strollin (Silver) 7.26
03. Lament (Johnson) 7.37
04. Leaving (Beirach) 9.43
05. Cherokee (Noble) 6.49
06. Estate (Martino)
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07. My Funny Valentine (live) (Rodgers/Hart) 10.19

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Alternate labels:
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Philip Catherine – End Of August (1982)

FrontCover1Philip Catherine (born 27 October 1942) is a Belgian jazz guitarist.

Philip Catherine was born in London to an English mother and Belgian father and was raised in Brussels. His grandfather played violin in the London Symphony Orchestra. Catherine started on guitar in his teens, and by seventeen he was performing professionally at local venues.

He released his debut album, Stream, in 1972. During the next few years, he studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and with Mick Goodrick and George Russell. In 1976, he and guitarist Larry Coryell recorded and toured as an acoustic duo. The following year he recorded with Charles Mingus, who dubbed him “Young Django”. In the early 1980s, he toured briefly with Benny Goodman. He was in PhilipCatherine01trio with Didier Lockwood and Christian Escoudé, then in a trio with Chet Baker. During the 1990s, he recorded three albums with trumpeter Tom Harrell.

Catherine has also worked with Lou Bennett, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Stéphane Grappelli, Karin Krog, Paul Kuhn, Sylvain Luc, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, Palle Mikkelborg, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Enrico Rava, Toots Thielemans, and Miroslav Vitous. (by wikipedia)

“He is one of the most accomplished and rewarding guitarists now playing jazz. (Downbeat)

“Philip Catherine is one of the last ‘romantics’ in jazz. Philip Catherine doesn’t play music: he ís 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.” (Francis Marmande. Le Monde)

Listen to this album and you´ll know why he is one the most important jezz guitar player from Europe.

On this album you an also hear another giant of Jazz … Charlie Mariano on saxophone !

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Personnel:
Philip Catherine (guitar)
Nicolas Fiszman (guitar, bass)
Trilok Gurtu (percussion, cymbals, tabla)
Charlie Mariano (saxophone, bamboo flute)
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Toots Thielemans (harmonica on 05. + 08.)

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Tracklist:
01. Petit Nicolas (Catherine) 5.08
02. Grand Nicolas (Catherine) 5.06
03. Janet (Catherine) 9.17
04. September Start (Catherine) 6.14
05. Goodbye (Jenkins) 4.52
06. Birth Of August (Catherine) 2.47
07. End Of August (Catherine) 3.11
08. Presque (Thielemans/Catherine) 0.47

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Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine – Twin House (1977)

LPFrontCover1Twin House is an album by American guitarist Larry Coryell and Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine that was released by Atlantic Records in 1977. The duo recorded a second album, Splendid, in 1978. (by wikipedia)

The first of two fine guitar duet recordings with Phillip Catherine. Of the two, Catherine’s sound is more rooted in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and tends to be more introspective. Coryell is his usual incorrigible self; however, Catherine’s presence seemed to inspire more experimentation and intelligent playing on Coryell’s part. As expected, this session will appeal primarily to guitarists — and for good reason, as both players exploit their chops — but it should be noted that the compositions here are quite memorable. Whether soloing over one riff (“Mortgage on Your Soul”), playing the blues (“Twin House”), or showing off (“Airpower”), this is an excellent collaboration and one of Coryell’s most ambitious performances. (by Robert Taylor)

I heard Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine together for the first time at the Berlin Jazz ConcertPoster.jpgFestival in 1975. Their creative compability, the enthusiasm and mutual understanding inspired me to take them into the Olympic Sound Studios in London to cut “Twin House” in just one day. This was only possible because both the music and the artists were ready to go on.

“Twin House” became one of those rare jazz records well recieved by both the record buying public and the critics. Two years later we were back in the studio recording the “Splendid Sessions”.

Both records were never before released on CD. I am grateful to the artists an my ex-colleagues at WEA, Germany, to let me release what I believe is the best of “Twin House” and “Splendid” on my ACT label. “Mortgage of Your Soul” was taken off and replaced by the previously unreleased track “Dance Dream”.

This record is dedicated to the memory of the great gipsy guitar player Django Reinhardt. (by Siegfried E. Loch, producer)

Excellent! Exceded Expectations!

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Personnel:
Philip Catherine (guitar)
Larry Coryell (guitar)
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Joachim Kühn (piano on 10.)

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Tracklist:
01. Ms. Julie (Coryell) 5.28
02. Homecomings (Catherine) 6.00
03. Airpower (Catherine) 4.05
04. Twin House (Catherine) 5.19
05. Gloryell (Webb) 7.20
06. Nuages (Reinhardt) 5.19
07. Twice A Week (Catherine) 4.46
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08. Dance Dream (Mikkelborg) 5.26
09. Snowshadows (Coryell) 3.32
10. Deus Xango (Piazzolla) 5.29
11. My Serenade (Reinhardt) 4.54
12. Father Christmas (Catherine) 2.40
13. The Train And The River (Giuffre) 4.49

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Philip Catherine – Babel (1980)

FrontCover1.jpgPhilip Catherine (born 27 October 1942) is a Belgian jazz guitarist.

Philip Catherine was born in London to an English mother and Belgian father and was raised in Brussels. His grandfather played violin in the London Symphony Orchestra. Catherine started on guitar in his teens, and by seventeen he was performing professionally at local venues.

He released his debut album, Steam, in 1970. During the next few years, he studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and with Mick Goodrick and George Russell. In 1976, he and guitarist Larry Coryell recorded and toured as an acoustic duo. The following year he recorded with Charles Mingus, who dubbed him “Young Django”. In the early 1980s, he toured briefly with Benny Goodman. He was in trio with Didier Lockwood and Christian Escoudé, then in a trio with Chet Baker. During the 1990s, he recorded three albums with trumpeter Tom Harrell.

PhilipCatherine1980_02Catherine has also worked with Lou Bennett, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Stéphane Grappelli, Karin Krog, Paul Kuhn, Sylvain Luc, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, Palle Mikkelborg, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Enrico Rava, Toots Thielemans, and Miroslav Vitous. (by wikipedia)

And here´s his 5th solo album:

A jazz fusion album produced in an extremely clear transparent sound. Catherine (guitar) is supported by Jean-Claude Petit (keyboards, synth), Jannick Top (bass) Andre Ceccarelli (drums) a string ensemble and on the very personal track “Janet” by the voices of his little daughters. All in all mostly relaxed but engaged and interesting playing (mainly by Catherine and Top) (by siriuspooka)

Babel, originally released in 1980, is an album rooted firmly in the late 1970’s fusion style. The compositions are strong and the arrangements are adventurous. The album features strong performances from ace sidemen André Ceccarelli (drums) and Jannick Top on bass. (jazzineurope.mfmmedia.nl)

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Personnel:
Philip Catherine (guitar, guitar synthesizer, vocoder)
André Ceccarelli (drums)
Jannick Top (bass)
Jean-Claude Petit (keyboards, synthesizer)
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String Quartet:
Roger Berthier (violin)
Pierre-Yves Defayes (violin)
Hervé Derrien (cello)
Pierre Llinares (viola)
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Children’s Voices (on 02.):
Isabelle – Janet Catherine

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Tracklist:
01. Babel (Catherine) 6.14
02. Janet (Catherine) 6.06
03. Riverbop (Catherine) 4.46
04. Spirale (Catherine) 4.57
05. Philip À Paris (Petit) 5.43
06. Magic Ring (Catherine) 3.42
07. Dinner-Jacket (Catherine) 3.32

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