Fred Katz
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Biography
Born on February 25, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, Fred Katz is referred to as the first real jazz cellist and is credited to introducing the cello to jazz improvisation. Classically trained, Katz studied under Pablo Casals and became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra. He became a member of Chico Hamiltonâs quintet, who became one of the 1950 most influential West Coast jazz groups. Katz and Hamilton composed the score to the 1957 motion picture The Sweet Smell of Success, but Elmer Bernsteinâs score was ultimately chosen. Katz released several albums as a leader including Zen: The Music of Fred Katz (1956), Soul Cello (1958), and Fred Katz and his Jammers (1959). He then began composing music for films including a series of B-movies for director Roger Corman. Beginning with A Bucket of Blood (1959), Katz scored a total of eight films for Corman including The Wasp Woman (1959), Ski Troop Attack (1960), Battle of Blood Island (1960), and Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961). His best-known work for Corman was the soundtrack to The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), which was actually pieced together using elements of his previous soundtracks for Cormanâs films. Switching gears later in life, was a professor of ethnic music in the Anthropology Department at Cal State University in Fullerton and Northridge. Fred Katz died on September 7, 2013.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Feeling the Blues
- Old Paint
- Jonalah featuring Jim Hall
- Chrissie featuring Jim Hall
- The Wind featuring Jim Hall
- Buddy Boo featuring Jim Hall
- Stella by Starlight by Fred Katz
- Walking Carson Blues featuring Jim Hall
- Katz-Up by Fred Katz
- Sleep featuring Jim Hall
- Takin' a Chance on Love featuring Jim Hall
- The Squimp featuring Jim Hall
- Topsy featuring Jim Hall
- Gone Lover (When Your Lover Has Gone) featuring Jim Hall
- The Ghost featuring Jim Hall
- Sleepy Slept Here (Santa Monica) featuring Jim Hall
- A Nice Day featuring Jim Hall
- Free Form featuring Jim Hall
- Spectacular featuring Jim Hall
- The Morning After featuring Jim Hall
- I Want to Be Happy featuring Jim Hall
- Funny Valentine featuring Jim Hall
- Blue Sands featuring Jim Hall
- The Sage featuring Jim Hall
