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Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats

It all began when aspiring singer-songwriter Kathryn Joy met veteran pianist Joel Scott at a jazz bar on a cruise ship somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Scott, who had worked with such notables as the Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw and O.C. Smith, heard not only the enthusiasm of Ms. Joy but saw a great deal of potential in both her songs and her voice. He became her mentor.

Thus began an important–if sadly short-lived–musical collaboration. Together, they formed Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats and recorded four of Kathryn Joy's songs. But just six days after their last recording session in 2015, Joel Scott passed away.

Fortunately, he left the songwriter in good hands. Rahn Coleman, a notable vocal coach, arranger and keyboardist, became her producer. She was also joined by trumpeter-recording engineer Nolan "KatDaddy" Shaheed. Coleman and Shaheed have been invaluable contributors to Kathryn Joy's career and the recording of their EP All About the Music in Your Heart.

"The Ballad of Kitty Bandit" (2022) is the group's theatrical follow-on to the Django hot jazz style single "On Ne Sait Jamais" (2021). It blends a 1920s New Orleans feel with 1950s Dixieland blues and a few modern touches and features Nolan "KatDaddy" Shaheed's colourful trumpet with a swinging band.

The group's new releases "Come Home", "Eyes Speak", and "You Give Me Life" (2024), like their last two singles, were written for an upcoming musical by Kathryn Joy and arranged by Nolan Shaheed. While different in character, both "Come Home" and "Eyes Speak", contain Latin rhythms, seductive vocals, and great brass instrumentation. "You Give Me Life" (scheduled for release on August 31) features Spanish guitar by Greg Porée and a tenor solo by Rickey Woodard with a serious and heartfelt vocal statement by Ms. Joy.

Great Aunt Ruth & The Saucy Cats Are Releasing A Bluesy New Single 'The Ballad Of Kitty Bandit' On Oct 14

Source: Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats
October 16, 2022

Building upon the success of their previous EP All About The Music In Your Heart, and the first single from the upcoming play (“On Ne Sait Jamais”), Great Aunt Ruth (aka Kathryn Joy) and her Saucy Cats are releasing an exciting second single, “The Ballad of Kitty Bandit." Blending together a 1920s New Orleans feel with 1950s Dixieland blues and a few modern touches, “The Ballad of Kitty Bandit” features the impressive singing of Kathryn Joy, colorful trumpet by Nolan ...
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Recording

Great Aunt Ruth (kathryn Joy) Will Be Releasing A Swinging New Single, 'On Ne Sait Jamais' Available Now

Source: Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats
June 21, 2021

Her cheerful original features the singer-songwriter joined by three of Los Angeles’ top jazz musicians. Great Aunt Ruth (aka Kathryn Joy) and her Saucy Cats are set to release her newest single “On Ne Sait Jamais.” Building upon the success of her previous EP All About the Music in Your Heart, the singer debuts her new song with a top-notch trio comprised of trumpeter Nolan Shaheed, Greg Porée on guitar and ukulele, and bassist Trevor Ware. “On Ne Sait Jamais” ...
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Crowdfunding Campaign

Great Aunt Ruth & The Saucy Cats Are Set To Release Their First Ep: "All About The Music In Your Heart"

Source: Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats
July 7, 2018

Kickstarter campaign will culminate in the release of five insightful songs by Kathryn Joy It all began when aspiring singer-songwriter Kathryn Joy met veteran pianist Joel Scott at a jazz bar on a cruise ship somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean. Scott, who had worked with such notables as the Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw and O.C. Smith, heard not only the enthusiasm of Ms. Joy but saw a great deal of potential in both her ...
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"As much as 'Usain's Belt' is an aptronym for the speedy Olympic sprinter, so too is 'Great Aunt Ruth and the Saucy Cats' for the music this virtual band creates...The songs are a welcome snap from working-class tedium, with songs soaked in grandeur. At times playfully teasing out the romantic side of a listener's heart, Joy shows her audience a couple falling in love in the soft hues of a Paris morning or walking the Ports of Saint- Tropez under the magnificence of a big blue sky." John O'Neill, The Vail Daily "All About The Music In Your Heart is the very impressive debut of singer-songwriter Kathryn Joy whose songs are performed with an all-star jazz group." Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist/Historian "Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats: All About the Music in Your Heart: This debut album by singer/songwriter Kathryn Joy teams herself with Rahn Coleman/p-synt, David Cowan/perc, Quentin Dennard/dr, James Leary/b, Greg Porée/g and various guess for this six song mix of moods