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Cathy Menard has been
involved in the jazz scene for a number of years. In addition to
numerous club engagements and studio work, Cathy has also done
television spots on CKCO-TV, Rogers Community Television, and CITY-TV.
In May 1998, she enjoyed a master class with internationally acclaimed singer/ pianist Freddy Cole (brother of Nat King Cole). In addition, Cathy has worked with such well-respected musicians as Barry Elmes, Pat Collins, Steve Wallace and Duncan Hopkins. At the enormously successful 1998 Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival, she performed with her Jazz Quintet, who among others featured renowned bassist Kieran Overs. She has been fortunate enough to share the stage with Doug Riley, jazz organist, writer and arranger, and legendary pianist, Kenny Barron. Cathy was thrilled to have had the opportunity to "sit in" with such legendary players as world-renowned bassist, Dave Young and jazz guitar great, Ed Bickert. Cathy released her debut CD entitled, "I'm Old Fashioned" in July 1999. Appearing with her on this recording are Dave Patterson, guitar, Dave Rodenburg, saxophone and Don McDougall, on drums. In addition to these accomplished players, Cathy was extremely pleased to include Duncan Hopkins (Boss Brass, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Lorne Lofsky, Peter Appleyard) on bass and the "1999 Jazz Report's Pianist of the Year, Mark Eisenman (Boss Brass, Nat Adderley, Sam Noto, Pat Labarbera). This wonderful collection of standards has been extremely well received. Songs from "I'm Old Fashioned" are featured regularly on Ted O'Reilly's "The Jazz Scene" on JAZZ.FM, Toronto as well as Ross Porter's "After Hours" on CBC Radio. Also in July 1999, Cathy performed at the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival Gala Opening with the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Ensemble, a group that included some of the finest artists in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. She also performed as the opening act for Rob McConnell's Tentet. She was fortunate at this performance to once again include Mark Eisenman and Duncan Hopkins as part of the group. A number of selections from "I'm Old Fashioned" were featured, to rave reviews. Since that time, Cathy has performed steadily throughout the Kitchener Waterloo area and in January and June 2000 she was featured at Toronto's famed Montreal Bistro. In addition, Cathy and her quartet were featured regularly on CTV's "Good Morning Canada". Cathy's second CD entitled "We'll Find A Way" includes once again bassist Duncan Hopkins and drummer Don McDougall, but also features Nancy Walker on piano and Pat Labarbera on saxophone. This CD, which has also been featured regularly on Toronto's JAZZ.FM91, includes standards as well as two Duncan Hopkins/Cathy Menard original compositions. Cathy also performed songs from "We'll Find A Way" at the 2001 Downtown Toronto Jazz and Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festivals. For more information regarding upcoming appearances, call 519-571-0233 or e-mail menmcdou@golden.net
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