About

Barb

Barb Catlin

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Barb Catlin has become one of the leading jazz educators in the Southwest. After eighteen successful years in Arizona, she returned to her home state of California where she directs the jazz programs at Pomona College and the California Institute of Technology. Barb has many accolades as a jazz pianist, including being named as a Downbeat “Player to Catch”, but is equally well-known for her tenure as musical director of the highly acclaimed youth honor jazz program, The Young Sounds of Arizona, as well as her years as director of jazz studies at Mesa Community College.

Barb majored in music education on woodwinds at California State University at Fresno, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a B.S. in Music Education, and completed and a Master’s in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz Studies on piano from Arizona State University where she was the recipient of the William English Music Education Award.

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. Barb has directed the Arizona All-State High School Jazz Band, the California All-State Junior High School Jazz Band, the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association’s (SCSBOA) Honor High School Jazz Ensemble, the Wisconsin All State Honor Jazz Band and many regional honor ensembles. She has been a featured clinician/guest artist at Fred Sturm’s acclaimed Lawrence Jazz Festival, Kris Berg’s Collin Jazz Festival, Paul Lucceksi’s San Joaquin Jazz Festival, Dana Landry’s Northern Colorado University Jazz Festival, ASU’s Highland Jazz Festival, the Western States Jazz festival, the Irvine Jazz Festival, the N.A.U Jazz Festival, and has presented clinics at state conferences both in Arizona, California and Wisconsin.

Barb was awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Jazz in Arizona for her outstanding contribution to jazz education in the state of Arizona and was recently named the CMEA “Paul Shaghoian” Jazz Educator Award for 2021.