Cathy Segal-Garcia Musician

Updated: November 26, 2023

Born: May 28, 1953

Boston-bred Cathy Segal-Garcia loved jazz since the age of 5 when she would hang around with her dad (sax player Mike Segal) while she listened to and copied Ella Fitzgerald. Her mother and sisters were also musical, and the family got her started on flute at the age of 10.

Cathy attended the Berklee School of Music from 1972 through 1975, where studied flute and Arranging and Composition . After college, she moved to San Francisco for a brief period, and then to Los Angeles in late 1975, where she still resides. One of the things that has impressed her many colleagues, fans and critics is that she has consistently performed and composed over the years. Performing and recording with literally hundreds of musicians, some of the more well known include: Pianist Russell Ferrante (The Yellowjackets) Drummer Tom Brechtlein (Robben Ford, Chick Corea) Bassist Marc Johnson (pianist Bill Evans, John Ambercrombie, John Scoffield) Bassist Gary Willis (Scott Henderson) Ledgendary guitarist Ted Greene Guitarist Jeff Richman Guitarist Mike Miller (Chick Corea) Saxophonist Bob Sheppard (Steeley Dan) Drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Stan Kenton, Steeley Dan, and many modern jazz recording artists) Pianist Kei Akagi (Miles Davis) Drummer Joey Barron (Bill Frisell, John Scoffield) Studio pianist Mike Lang Singer/pianist Diana Krall Drummer John Robinson (Quincy Jones) Pianist David Benoit Pianist Billy Childs Drummer Joey Heredia (Scott Henderson, Tania Maria) Flautist Sam Most Pianist Carl Schroeder, head of the piano department at Musicians Institute in Hollywood (Sarah Vaughn) Trumpeter Bill Berry Saxophonist Don Menza Pianist extraordinare Dave Mackay Guitarist John Pisano ...and the list goes on. Their styles range from bebop to modern jazz.

Her singing and professionalism attracted much notice over the years and Cathy is presently in demand internationally for clinics, private teaching, jazz compositions, and live performances and studio recording. To date, Cathy has thirteen CDs under her own leadership: Point Of View, Song Of The Heart, Heart to Heart, Alone Together, Secret Life, Day By Day with Joe Diorio, Heart To Heart with Ross Tompkins, Bohemian with Yoonseung Cho. The Moment Live at the Blue Whale, Ted Greene - Never Forgotten, The Jazz Chamber (orchestra).

She's now working on three more projects with stellar musicians!

Cathy Segal-Garcia: Social Anthems, Volume 1

Read "Social Anthems, Volume 1" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
November 13, 2021

Proving there is still some life in the spirit of '60s activism—and even in the decades beyond it—vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia gives us six tracks which meld jazz, folk and pop idioms in a way which sounds both classic and contemporary. Drawing on the talents of a fine band and a couple of intriguing guest vocalists, Segal-Garcia delivers these tunes with confidence and a winsome disposition. Aside from the self-penned “What Are We Gonna Do," a zesty folk-based tune, ...

Multiple Reviews

Cathy Segal-Garcia: A Weaver Of Dreams

by Dan Bilawsky
November 18, 2019

Cathy Segal-Garcia's talents are vast, and her heart is warm and open. A significant presence on the Los Angeles scene, she can proudly wear many labels —"vocalist," “songwriter," “educator," and “scene maker and sustainer" among them. But when you boil Segal-Garcia down to her essence, she's simply a weaver of dreams, a starry- eyed wanderer and free spirit who, nevertheless, possesses strong artistic instincts and the organizational savvy to pull off one unique project after another. A look at a ...

Album Review

Cathy Segal-Garcia: The Jazz Chamber

Read "The Jazz Chamber" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
November 2, 2018

On this album, Cathy Segal-Garcia, a vocalist and educator on the Los Angeles jazz scene, comes up with something special, working with a chamber orchestra and a group of jazz musicians to produce a wide-ranging program that veers from lush romanticism to complex jazz-funk. On much of the disc, Segal-Garcia's thick, classically formal voice, combined with a full string section, presents a lilting hybrid of jazz and light classical music. On first hearing it sounds a bit too ...

Bailey's Bundles

Duos – Patrice Williamson/Jon Wheatley; Bill Brovold/Jamie Saft; Randy Ingram/Drew Gress; Eraldo Bernocchi/Prakash Sontakke; Cathy Segal-Garcia

Read "Duos – Patrice Williamson/Jon Wheatley; Bill Brovold/Jamie Saft; Randy Ingram/Drew Gress; Eraldo Bernocchi/Prakash Sontakke; Cathy Segal-Garcia" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
April 28, 2017

The duet performance format is pretty naked. There is little place to hide for the two instrumentalists taking part in the delicate discourse that is making music. The following are five approaches trying to make the cut of creativity. Patrice Williamson & Jon Wheatley Comes Love: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass Self Produced 2017 Ella Fitzgerald has been the object of recent homage attention in Jane Monheit's Songbook Sessions: Ella ...

Album Review

Cathy Segal-Garcia and Yoonseung Cho: Bohemian

Read "Bohemian" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
April 5, 2012

The classic vocal-piano format can present itself in a myriad of ways, ranging from a more common singer-with-accompanist experience, with one melodically active and the other harmonically supportive, to a more cerebral, highly energized interplay and exploration of musical ideas. Bohemian, featuring vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and pianist Yoonseung Cho is an exquisite example of the latter. As the first collaboration between these two fine artists, this recording is a musical kaleidoscope of vocal sound textures, all swirling ...

Recording

March 20: Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia Releases New CD Featuring Korean Piano Prodigy Yoonseung Cho

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
February 27, 2012

Bohemian (Dash Hoffman Records, March 20, 2012 Release) is the new CD by Los Angeles vocalist/educator Cathy Segal-Garcia. It's her first recorded collaboration with Korean jazz pianist Yoonseung Cho. “How did I meet Cho?" asks Cathy. “Well, I've hosted and created vocal workshops in L.A., every month, since around 1996. Several years ago, I hosted one with Gretchen Parlato, and she brought Cho to play piano as one of her accompanists. I was blown away by their wonderful musicianship! Later ...
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191

Performance / Tour

West Meets East: Cathy Segal-Garcia & Rebecca Parris at Ryles Jazz Club on June 17

Source: Patricia Adams Ensembles
May 17, 2010

Two Special Jazz Vocalists Unite once again! Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:30pm to 12:00am

Cathy Segal-Garcia was born and bred in Newton, MA. Her father was Mike Segal, a sax player and band leader, and mother Natalie had been a big band singer. Cathy's twin sisters, Margy and Edie, joined her in their youth singing and performing.

Attending Berklee 72-75, Cathy then settled in Los Angeles, where she still resides. Performer, recording artist (six CDs presently), voice teacher, ...
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145

Recording

New CD release..Alternative jazz...SECRET LIFE by Cathy Segal-Garcia

Source: All About Jazz
September 24, 2004

“In Control: Jazz singer Cathy Segal-Garcia’s style leans toward heavily melodic vehicles that show off her flowing, at-ease, rhythmic sense...A voice that’s soft and warm as cashmere.” Zan Stewart ~~ Los Angeles Times

“If you closed your eyes you might think she was a highly evolved horn player...” Larry Koonse

“Even without seeing her, you know that this voice cannot be owned by a blonde...This is a deep, rich, ballsy voice, washed in browns, blues, and other earth tones.” Paul Anderson~~Jazzline

“A model of warm, exquisitely focused jazz vocalizing...sensuous voice and cool harmonies.” Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“If you closed your eyes you might think she was a highly evolved horn player...” Larry Koonse

“Even without seeing her, you know that this voice cannot be owned by a blonde...This is a deep, rich, ballsy voice, washed in browns, blues, and other earth tones.” Paul Anderson~~Jazzline

“A model of warm, exquisitely focused jazz vocalizing...sensuous voice and cool harmonies.” Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s most compelling quality is a warm, dark sound, luxurious enough to wrap a song in an envelope of lush timbres.” Don Heckman~~ Los Angeles Times

“Segal-Garcia’s songs appeal to the individual. Through her music, she communicates with everyone and anyone in an easygoing manner. Hers is a performance that grows naturally toward all who are exposed.” Jim Santella (Song Of The Heart) “...The freshest vocal project which I’ve ever been involved in, and it’s one of my favorite tapes of the past year...This recording deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.” Peter Erskine (Song Of The Heart)

“The choice of material is top notch — very interesting. The duets were special, the interplay, dynamics, Cathy’s range and intonation are great!” Marc Johnson

“The true spirit is there. “Secret Life” finds the singer at her best, doing what she has done successfully for years, telling a story through song, intimately, as if she were standing next to you, sharing a moment of warm sunshine together.” Jim Santella “Segal-Garcia exhibits an earthiness that is both compelling and entrancing.” -Christopher Loudon JAZZ TIMES-

“Secret Life brings another dimension to Cathy Segal-Garcia's musical journey. This CD has all the elements of an artist discovering new emotional horizons and combining various influences & styles into the mix. Garcia has the talent and sensitivity to bring the best together and to produce something different.” Helen Simons The JazzXpress Caravan 94.1FM Jazz Radio Gold Coast Queensland, Australia

“Garcia's "Secret LIfe" will not remain a secret for long.. This CD represents the talent and thoughtful efforts of a top notch musician..” Fernando Bernall ….. JazzRadio247.com

“When the Sirens, in the days of ancient Greece, enticed sailors with their song, at least one of them must have sounded like Cathy Segal-Garcia…the clear, cool, perfectly pitched Segal-Garcia voice.” David Nathan, JAZZ NEWS

“Cathy Segal Garcia is a magical weaver of lyric that tells stories with tones and lilting phrases that delight the mind and soul and are melodic to the ear when she performs!!” Johnny Gorman

“With a voice that suggests the mid-career Carly Simon, Segal-Garcia exhibits an earthiness that is both compelling and entrancing. As a lyricist, she is capable and wise, if not startlingly inventive. Her explorations of love, friendship and spirituality are thoughtfully crafted and certainly deliver on her promise of genre- spanning influences… “Miko Oiwake,” which speaks with fragile beauty of her love for Japanese culture, tradition and history… and her expansive, exuberant “The Song,” a soaring, multicultural celebration of female empowerment.” -Christopher Loudon ~~ Jazz Times 2008

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Too many to mention! please see my website for my experience, past and present! Hours vary, depending on my availability, as do rates. Contact me!

Clinic/Workshop Information

I have several that i teach. Scatting...introducing it to all levels, making it easy to approach and understand. Scatting for experienced vocalists as well. Voice technique classes... about the physiology of the vocal instrument, how to problem solve, and how to get the most out of what you have! Business workshops...where to look for gigs, how to create them, hire the musicians for them, how to keep and PR the gig