Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 25, 1919 in New York City, NY

Death

:

September 7, 2013 in Santa Monica, CA

 

Fred Katz was an American cellist, composer, and arranger who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on February 25, 1919, in Brooklyn, New York, Katz was raised in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Katz began playing the cello at the age of nine and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Katz's musical education began at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied under the renowned cellist Emanuel Feuermann. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Katz joined the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he became a member of the MGM Studio Orchestra. In the 1950s, Katz began to focus on composing and arranging music. He worked with a variety of artists, including Chico Hamilton, Stan Kenton, and Laurindo Almeida. In 1957, Katz released his first album as a bandleader, "Folk Songs for Far Out Folk." The album featured Katz's unique blend of jazz and folk music, and it received critical acclaim. Katz's most significant contribution to classical music came in the form of his work with the cellist Pablo Casals. In 1958, Katz was asked to arrange and conduct a performance of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 6" for Casals and a group of cellists. The performance was a huge success, and it led to a collaboration between Katz and Casals that lasted for several years. Katz's work with Casals included arranging and conducting performances of Bach's cello suites and other classical works. Katz also composed several pieces for Casals, including "Hymn to the United Nations" and "The Song of Peace." These works showcased Katz's ability to blend classical music with other genres, such as jazz and folk. In addition to his work with Casals, Katz continued to compose and arrange music throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He worked on several film scores, including "The Little Shop of Horrors" and "The Wild Angels." Katz also released several albums as a bandleader, including "Soul° Cello" and "Zen: The Music of Fred Katz." Katz's music was known for its unique blend of classical, jazz, and folk influences. He was a pioneer in the use of the cello as a lead instrument in jazz and popular music. Katz's compositions were often characterized by their intricate harmonies and rhythms, as well as their use of unconventional instruments and sounds. Katz's contributions to classical music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1960, he received a Grammy Award for his work on the album "West Side Story." In 1978, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship. Katz was also inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1999. Fred Katz passed away on September 7, 2013, at the age of 94. His legacy as a composer, arranger, and cellist continues to influence musicians today. Katz's unique blend of classical, jazz, and folk music has inspired countless artists and helped to expand the boundaries of classical music.

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