Fred Katz (cellist)
Encyclopedia
Fred Katz is an American cellist and composer. He is notable as one of the first jazz musicians to establish the cello as a viable improvising solo instrument. Katz has been described in CODA
magazine as "the first real jazz cellist." Cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm
(b. 1962), who recorded a 2002 tribute album to the elder musician (A Valentine For Fred Katz, Atavistic Records), praises Katz for introducing his instrument to jazz: "[Katz] managed to find a way to make it swing."
and performed with various symphony orchestras. However, Katz is best known as a member of drummer Chico Hamilton
's quintet, one of the most important West Coast jazz
groups of the 1950s. Hamilton's group, including Katz, appeared in the 1957 drama film The Sweet Smell of Success, starring Burt Lancaster
and Tony Curtis
, where Katz was described in passing as the Quintet's primary composer. Katz and Hamilton wrote a score for the film which was ultimately rejected in favor of one by Elmer Bernstein
.
Katz also recorded several albums as a leader, and wrote over a dozen film scores (notably for several of Roger Corman
's movies such as A Bucket of Blood
and The Little Shop of Horrors
). He also was the bandleader on monologist Ken Nordine
's "word jazz" recordings of the 1950s. Another high point in Katz's career was writing and conducting the arrangements for singer Carmen McRae
's 1958 album Carmen For Cool Ones.
Later in his career, Katz became a professor of ethnic music at California State University at Northridge, where he taught for over 30 years. One of his students was John Densmore
, drummer of The Doors
.
CODA (magazine)
CODA is a Canadian magazine devoted to covering all things related to jazz. The magazine produces 6 publications a year on a bi-monthly basis...
magazine as "the first real jazz cellist." Cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm
Fred Lonberg-Holm
Fred Lonberg-Holm is an American cellist based in Chicago. He relocated from New York City to Chicago in 1995.Lonberg-Holm is most identified with playing free improvisation and free jazz. He is also a composer of concert works...
(b. 1962), who recorded a 2002 tribute album to the elder musician (A Valentine For Fred Katz, Atavistic Records), praises Katz for introducing his instrument to jazz: "[Katz] managed to find a way to make it swing."
Biography
Katz was classically trained; he took lessons from Pablo CasalsPablo Casals
Pau Casals i Defilló , known during his professional career as Pablo Casals, was a Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor. He is generally regarded as the pre-eminent cellist of the first half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest cellists of all time...
and performed with various symphony orchestras. However, Katz is best known as a member of drummer Chico Hamilton
Chico Hamilton
Chico Hamilton , is an American jazz drummer and bandleader.-Early life through 1960s:Hamilton was born in Los Angeles, California. He had a fast-track musical education in a band with Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso...
's quintet, one of the most important West Coast jazz
West coast jazz
West Coast jazz refers to various styles of jazz music that developed around Los Angeles and San Francisco during the 1950s. West Coast jazz is often seen as a sub-genre of cool jazz, which featured a less frenetic, calmer style than bebop or hard bop. The music tended to be more heavily arranged,...
groups of the 1950s. Hamilton's group, including Katz, appeared in the 1957 drama film The Sweet Smell of Success, starring Burt Lancaster
Burt Lancaster
Burton Stephen "Burt" Lancaster was an American film actor noted for his athletic physique and distinctive smile...
and Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...
, where Katz was described in passing as the Quintet's primary composer. Katz and Hamilton wrote a score for the film which was ultimately rejected in favor of one by Elmer Bernstein
Elmer Bernstein
Elmer Bernstein was an American composer and conductor best known for his many film scores. In a career which spanned fifty years, he composed music for hundreds of film and television productions...
.
Katz also recorded several albums as a leader, and wrote over a dozen film scores (notably for several of Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
's movies such as A Bucket of Blood
A Bucket of Blood
A Bucket of Blood is a 1959 American comedy horror film directed by Roger Corman. It starred Dick Miller and was set in beatnik culture. The film, produced on a $50,000 budget, was shot in five days, and shares many of the low-budget filmmaking aesthetics commonly associated with Corman's work....
and The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about an inadequate young florist's assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. The film's concept is thought to be based on a 1932...
). He also was the bandleader on monologist Ken Nordine
Ken Nordine
Ken Nordine is an American voiceover and recording artist best known for his series of Word Jazz albums. His deep, resonant voice has also been featured in many commercial advertisements and movie trailers. One critic wrote that "you may not know Ken Nordine by name or face, but you'll almost...
's "word jazz" recordings of the 1950s. Another high point in Katz's career was writing and conducting the arrangements for singer Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
's 1958 album Carmen For Cool Ones.
Later in his career, Katz became a professor of ethnic music at California State University at Northridge, where he taught for over 30 years. One of his students was John Densmore
John Densmore
John Paul Densmore is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the drummer of the rock group The Doors.-Early life and The Doors:Born in Los Angeles, Densmore attended Santa Monica City College and Cal...
, drummer of The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
.