The Rolling Stones still get their rocks off, Madonna is
still in the groove and
Cher certainly doesn’t need to turn back time. It stands to
argue that being over 50 is a poor excuse for musical
extinction. Look out
Brisbane
and make way for baby boomer Cate Shaw. Cate's
singing talent masters a fresh combination of Latin
style, a serving of contemporary, a pinch of blues, and some
jazz numbers for good measure.
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Cate has
previously recorded for the ABC in Sydney and has done radio
work with Radio National and ABC FM radio, her voice
featuring in various radio serials. Radio 4BC and local
radio ABC breakfast show (and now AusNotebook Music & Creative!)
have had the pleasure of scoring an interview with the
seasoned musician whose love for music is in her genes.
Indeed Cate has been singing all her life, her budding
talent unearthed early on as one half of a duo with her
brother,
Thomas Fitzgerald, an
academy award nominee for his animation film 'Turtle World'
and a well-known professional
composer and musician. The successful kinship is set to
reunite as Thomas as the producer with Cate eager to record
a solo CD in May 2007.
But family was not always conducive to musical success. In
the 70s Cate was a session singer and performed with artists
such as
Rick Springfield and Robbie Porter. When she was
sixteen she was offered a part in the musical ‘Hair’ with Marcia Hines but was denied this rare opportunity because
her father caught wind that there was nudity in the
production! “He’s never lived it down”, says Cate
jokingly. "However my father is now very supportive of my
return to my singing career".
After meeting her husband in
Europe,
life and family commitments put Cate’s singing career on
hold. When she turned 50 a couple of years ago she “freaked
out” and realised she needed music back in her life. Soon
after this realisation took place, the doors seemingly
re-opened for her. “A lot of friends from the 70s have
miraculously appeared in places where I am”, she says. The
flame of old friendships rekindled; one spark ignited
another and Cate was soon introduced to music teacher
Ingrid James who helped her “discover her voice
again”.
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Cate Shaw
doing what she loves
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Ingrid is also to thank for introducing the vocalist to
Stew, who teamed up with Cate to form the band Latin Blue
that Cate has performed as the lead vocalist. Cate was well on her way
to moulding Latin Blue which she envisioned as having a
similar feel to the band Sergio Mendes
Brazil 66.
Cate's general feeling about her music with Latin Blue and
her solo career is as
follows: "I don’t want to be like everyone else, I
want to be a little bit different,” she explains.
Cate plans to do this by her delivery and the way she
presents herself including changing songs to suit her style.
Cate thrives on sounding different.
Future plans for Cate Shaw includes playing at corporate
gigs and two or three high-class charity gigs a year, “and a lot of
really nice parties!” says Cate. She will also be performing on
8th March, 2007 at The Bank, cnr Anne and Brunswick,
Fortitude Valley (Brisbane) starting at 8pm. |
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Stew and
Cate |
Cate Shaw’s favourite charities are the
Salvation Youth Outreach Centre in Baxter Street
Fortitude Valley, and
Mission Australia.
Article written by
Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative 19/2/07
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NEWSFLASH |
Stew is no
longer performing with Cate. |
On each Sunday commencing February 28th, 2010 at the
Urban Hotel, 345 Wickham Tce, Brisbane there will be
live Jazz from 2pm to 5pm. High Tea and Tapas menu will
be offered and table bookings will be available as well
as free parking . Cate will be supported by Dave
Spicer on keys, Andrew Shaw on double bass,
and Dave Cotgreave on drums/percussion. She has
recorded for the ABC in Sydney, doing radio work with
Radio National and ABC FM radio, her voice featuring in
various radio serials and music projects. She worked
with Armstrong's Studios as a session singer. Cate has
performed at many public, private and corporate venues
nationally and internationally. Cate’s latest cd ‘So
Nice’ was recorded with these musicians at The Brisbane
Jazz Club. Her website is
www.cate.net.au |
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