All Of It: Catherine Russell's 'My Ideal' (A Listening Party) - Detailed Summary
Hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, the episode titled "Catherine Russell's 'My Ideal' (A Listening Party)" delves deep into the creation, influences, and personal journey behind Kathryn Russell's Grammy-nominated album, "My Ideal." Released on January 7, 2025, this episode offers listeners an intimate look into Kathryn's artistic process, her collaboration with pianist Sean Mason, and her efforts to preserve her musical legacy.
Introduction to Kathryn Russell and 'My Ideal'
Alison Stewart opens the episode by highlighting Kathryn Russell's significant achievement: her latest album, "My Ideal," has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. Kathryn's rendition of the title track sets the tone for the discussion, offering a glimpse into her soulful interpretation of classic jazz standards.
Notable Quote:
- Kathryn Russell reflects on the personal significance of the title track:
"It just reminded me of how many years I spent by myself looking for my soulmate and just thinking, will I find this person?" [01:43]
Collaborative Dynamics with Pianist Sean Mason
A pivotal part of "My Ideal" is Kathryn's collaboration with 25-year-old pianist Sean Mason. Their partnership began during performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where they first worked together on New Orleans-themed programs.
Meeting Sean:
- Kathryn recounts their initial virtual collaboration during the pandemic:
"We found ourselves on that program, actually, during the Pandemic... I asked him to work with me." [02:27]
Why Sean?
- Kathryn is drawn to Sean's ability to compose in the moment and his diverse influences:
"Sean is... he just continually creates while you're listening to him... he’s influenced by many, many styles and many classic styles and also modern styles all at the same time." [03:24]
Recording Process:
- Their recording journey was spontaneous and organic, with minimal rehearsals:
"We pretty much found everything we found right in the... recording studio... we did the album in a couple of days." [04:52]
Impact on Kathryn's Performance:
- Kathryn feels that Sean's playing allows her to delve deeper into the lyrics and the story behind each song:
"I feel like I get deeper in the lyric. Maybe I get deeper in the story... deeper in the natural rhythm and flavor." [05:25]
Exploring Classic Jazz through 'A Porter's Love Song'
The episode features Kathryn performing "A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid," a selection from "My Ideal." This song, introduced to Kathryn by Michael Feinstein, pays homage to service workers in Harlem during the 1930s.
Song Selection:
- Kathryn explains the song's historical context and its significance:
"This song actually was introduced to me by Michael Feinstein... from a kitchen mechanics review in honor of service workers in Harlem back in the 1930s." [08:55]
Artistic Interpretation:
- She balances the original humor and underlying sadness of the lyrics, drawing inspiration from Fats Waller's storytelling:
"He was a great storyteller... He gets the humor out of it, yet it can be a sad subject like this." [10:19]
Transition to a Solo Career
Kathryn shares the challenges and fears she faced when deciding to pursue a solo career, moving away from being a backup singer.
Decision to Go Solo:
- Encouraged by her then-fiancé after David Bowie's last world tour:
"He got me into that, and then I could always hear music and everything like that. So she supported me in gaining confidence and would always recommend me for gigs." [11:13]
Facing Fears:
- Kathryn admits to her apprehensions about leading her own band and making all creative decisions:
"I had to learn that Part of it by myself... but my mother was very, very supportive of my coming into my own as an artist." [11:48]
Building Confidence:
- Through perseverance, she became more comfortable leading performances:
"Just working and working and working and working and just doing it over and over and over... I learned how to just be more comfortable with myself." [12:10]
Influence of Family and Preserving Legacy
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Kathryn's family legacy, particularly her parents' influence on her musical journey.
Parental Support:
- Kathryn's mother, Carleen Ray, was instrumental in nurturing her artistic talents:
"They weren't front people... she was very straight, lace focused... she wanted whatever was going to keep me alive on the planet." [13:45]
Legacy Preservation:
- While cleaning her mother's closet, Kathryn discovered forgotten tapes featuring her father, Lewis Russell, performing with legends like Louis Armstrong:
"We took them to a gentleman who, Doug Pomeroy, who restored them for us... Louis Armstrong is on there and singers that my dad's orchestra backed." [14:38]
Continuing the Legacy:
- Kathryn feels a responsibility to share and preserve her father's contributions to jazz:
"It's my job to continue that legacy and have people know who Lewis Russell was... we are trying to keep our legacy going." [16:06]
Conclusion and Reflections
Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by reiterating Kathryn Russell's achievements and the profound cultural and personal narratives embedded in "My Ideal." The album stands not only as a testament to Kathryn's vocal prowess but also as a bridge connecting past jazz legends to contemporary audiences.
Final Thoughts:
- Highlighting the Grammy nomination and the rich musical heritage showcased in the album, the episode underscores the importance of preserving and evolving cultural legacies through music.
Notable Quote:
- Kathryn emphasizes the significance of legacy:
"It's a legacy. It's my dad's. My parents were very into legacy... so I feel like it's my job to continue that legacy." [16:08]
Overall, this episode of "All Of It" offers a comprehensive exploration of Kathryn Russell's album "My Ideal," blending discussions of musical technique, personal growth, and the preservation of jazz history. Through candid dialogue and heartfelt performances, listeners gain a deep appreciation for Kathryn's artistry and her dedication to honoring her family's musical heritage.