Backstage with Cate Cody

Having just released her third album, and garnered an excellent reputation across the county, Cate Cody is one of Gloucestershire’s hottest acts. SoGlos.com finds out more about the jazz songstress.

Tell us more about yourself
My name is Cate Cody and I’ve been self-employed as a jazz singer for five years. I sing 1920s and 1930s classic American jazz – the ballads and dance songs of the Great American composers including Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, the Gershwin Brothers and Hoagy Carmichael.

Do you perform alone?
It’s sometimes just myself singing alongside a pianist, but instruments can be added depending on the function – so there can be up to six of us including string bass, drums, clarinet, saxophone and guitar.

How did you meet your fellow musicians?
My regular pianist and I were introduced by a sax player. I work with a wide range of different musicians though, depending on geographical location, and often we meet through other musicians or on other gigs.

Are you from the county?
I was born abroad and brought up in East Sussex and Kent. I moved to Gloucestershire 15 years ago and have lived in various places around Tewkesbury. I love it here and am very happily settled.

How did you decide on the stage name?
Cate Cody is my own! We go out as the Cate Cody Duo, Trio, Quartet and so on, but the full band is known as Cate Cody and her Salty Dogs. ‘Salty Dog’ is a very early song, pre-1920s, and an audience favourite. The name can be altered to suit, for example ‘Salty Sea Dogs’ for river gigs!

And what stage is Cate Cody and her Salty Dogs at?
Very relaxed and confident, with a large repertoire and lots of experience and enthusiasm. I have two albums out, and a third ‘In the Mood for Love’ just released. I also have my own record label, JazzCat Records.

Who would you say your main influences are?
Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Fats Waller and Ella Fitzgerald.

Who do get compared to?
Quite often Peggy Lee – which is an honour.

Who attends your gigs?
All sorts of people of all ages.

Do you have a favourite Gloucestershire venue?
The Daffodil. It’s a perfect Art Deco setting for our genre of music.

Where would you most like to play locally?
I’d like to go back to The Greenway and also explore some other country houses, hotels, restaurants, theatres and dance halls.

What’s the last decent gig you went to?
A gypsy jazz Swing Museum gig at a dance near Cheltenham.

Is there anyone in particular you’d like to support?
Jools Holland.

And what do you do when you’re not making music?
I learn new songs, write poetry, play the piano and ukulele and go to the cinema. I also love good food, Lindy Hop dancing and getting muddy in the garden.

Have you ever thrown a TV out of a hotel window? Would you like to?
No I haven’t. I’ve never been that cross! But I don’t like TV and don’t own one, so it would definitely be a preferable thing to throw if I was going to chuck anything!

Have you ever had a groupie stalk you?
Hmm, let’s say people can get too ‘friendly’ sometimes!

Have you ever done something you really regret in the morning?
Of course, but I’m not saying what!

Recommend one album to our readers you don’t think they will have discovered
‘Portrait of Billie Holiday’ or my new album ‘In the Mood for Love’!

Number one ambition?
Making people happy by singing jazz.

Any claims to fame?
I sang accompanied by a $1.2 million piano in Las Vegas.

What advice would you give to local performers trying to make it in the industry?
Listen, listen, listen, practice, practice, practice.

Where can fans see you perform in the next month or two?
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, The Daffodil in Cheltenham and Bushley Village Hall in Tewkesbury.

And last but not least, where can SoGlos.com readers expect to see you in a year’s time?
Definitely somewhere around Gloucestershire, with another new album and several projects on the way…

Find details of Cate Cody’s forthcoming performances in SoGlos.com’s Gloucestershire gig guide.

SoGlos.com
8 November 2008