Pianist
Barb's performances have gained her local and national recognition; her jazz trio was voted as an "Arizona Favorite" by KJZZ's Listener's Poll, and she was named by Downbeat Magazine as a "Player to Catch." Her heart lies in jazz, but Barb's interests are diverse. Her extensive touring and show playing include work with top entertainers including Smokey Robinson, Lou Rawls, Michael Crawford and many others.
Educator
Barb has become one of the leading jazz educators in the Southwest. She is currently teaching jazz at Pomona College, California Institute of Technology, and Pasadena City College in the Los Angeles area. Her enthusiasm for playing, "real-life" approach to education, and expertise in the rhythm section has made Barb a popular clinician and adjudicator at the high school and college levels. She has directed many honor ensembles including the recent honor of directing the 2017 California All-State Junior High Jazz Band at CASMEC.
Composer
Barb has broadened her skills to include a wide array of arranging and composing skills. She has written many specialized charts for her performing groups, including combo charts and big band genres. Her charts are featured on many cruise ship bands in the pop music category. Spiritual music has been a recent project; Barb has over 300 hymns and choir works that explorestyles from Tiaze to jazz and pop.
“Barb Catlin is a very special asset to the world of music education. Her skills in bringing out nearly superhuman levels of ability in the students she works with is totally amazing. I just couldn’t believe how well the Young Sounds Orchestra played behind me.”
“Barb is a fantastic pianist, composer and arranger. I, and many others in our community, also know her as the conscience for jazz education in the Valley of the Sun. Is there a serious jazz student in our midst that has not been in some way positively influenced by her wisdom and teaching?”
Recent Recordings
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About Barb
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Barb Catlin has become one of the Southwest’s leading jazz educators and pianists. Her extensive touring, cruise ship, and show playing include work with top entertainers including Smokey Robinson, Ben Vereen, Lou Rawls, Bobby Vinton, Michael Crawford, and Wayne Newton. Barb’s performances have gained her local and national recognition; her trio was voted as an “Arizona Favorite” by KJZZ’s Listener’s Poll and Barb was named by Downbeat Magazine as a “Player to Catch"...