Catherine Marie Charlton

Catherine Marie Charlton's soulful interpretations ”...will linger long in the ear and in the mind...” (Jazz da Gama).

Addressing her creative process for her free improvisations, Charlton states: “When I improvise at the piano, my goal is to embody mindfulness. In order to musically express my inner emotions and touch listeners' hearts through my own vulnerability, I must surrender to flow and trust completely in all my years of practice. It’s about self-acceptance—not caring what “genre” of music pours from my fingers, letting go of judgement of “wrong notes“, and staying present in the moment without over-thinking the journey's next steps.”

As a young girl, Catherine Marie was fascinated by a myriad of musical influences: Romantic and Impressionist piano music from her classical studies, Virginia fiddle music, and Windham Hill artists Liz Story and George Winston. After completing a combined engineering and music degree from Cornell University, music by various European and free jazz improvisational masters (Keith Jarrett, David Darling, Cecil Taylor, et al.) tilted her more and more in their direction. She went on to perform extensively in a piano-percussion duo, and in recent years with her trio with bassist Steve Meashey and percussionist J. Jody Janetta.

Twelve albums over 20+ years include Maiden's Voyage (2015), broadcast extensively on jazz radio, including PRI's Jazz After Hours, a December 2016 debut on the ambient record label Spotted Peccary, as half of the duo Weingarten-Charlton, and a spring 2017 Phil’s Records’ classical-crossover new age album inspired by the art and creative philosophies of painter Andrew Wyeth and his family, collaborating with four Grammy® winners including producer/label owner Phil Nicolo. Performances include NYC's Metropolitan Room, The National Press Club, and Argentina’s United States Embassy. She has won grants, residencies, and awards from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Parents’ Choice Foundation, Independent Music Awards, GLAMOUR Magazine, ZMR Awards, and is a three-time Individual Artist Fellow of the Delaware Division of Arts. The New York City Jazz Record says her “crystalline style...soars...”.

Catherine Marie Charlton is a Steinway Artist. She serves on the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy ("The Grammys®"), and on the Ambassador Board of Musicopia/Dancing Classrooms Philadelphia.

Awards

2015 Artist Residency from the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, to compose Wyeth-inspired music

2014 Project Stream grant recipient from the PA Council on the Arts and PECO Energy, to host a 2015 neo-classical jazz concert in Chester County, PA

2014 Winner of a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award for River Flow: 60 Minutes of Quiet Flowing Piano

2014 Nominated for "Best Instrumental Album - Piano" and "Best Relaxation/Meditation Album" in the 10th Annual Zone Music Reporter Awards, for River Flow - Sanctuary

2013 Added to the Steinway Artist Roster

2013 Winner of the Independent Music Awards, Instrumental EP, for Red Leaf, Grey Sky

2013 Winner of the Independent Music Awards Vox Populi Vote, Album Reissue, for River Dawn: Piano Meditations (10th Anniversary Edition)

2012 Winner, Best Instrumental Album- Piano, and Best Cover Art, ZoneMusicReporter 2011 Awards, for Red Leaf, Grey Sky

Tags

"...a crystalline style...Charlton soars" -The New York City Jazz Record

"...hip modern jazz.. " - Jazz Weekly

"...rises above labels, styles, chord progressions, and who played with who to reach into the listener’s soul with an empathic spirit. ...accomplishing a miraculous feat...by what she does not play" ("Best Jazz Albums of 2015 Grammy Voters Missed") - Carol Banks Weber, AXS

"...killer originals. Her touch is sensitive yet authoritative...full of surprises and grace.” –Hobert Taylor, KUCI-FM

"Every now and then an artist emerges with the power to define a genre. ...Charlton has the genius, sensitivity and strength to fuse contemporary jazz improvisation with classical styling in a way that stops you in your tracks."— Jamey Reilly, PSALM"

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Philadelphia

Clinic/Workshop Information

"Wyeth Walks: Following in the Artists' Footsteps"

In this lecture, pianist and composer Catherine Marie Charlton discusses the “Wyeth Walks” that she began in January 2015 while seeking inspiration for her music. Immersing herself in Wyeth art and creative philosophies through these daily walks has resulted in an upcoming album, as well as thematic iPhone photos and an accompanying blog. Through her experiences, Charlton seeks to understand how the Wyeths, especially N.C. and Andrew, found subjects in nature and were open to surprises in unexpected places. Charlton will share a preview of her recorded music and photography, with tips on how we all can follow in Wyeth footsteps and be “open to flow” in creative pursuits.