After a long career of writing pop, R&B, jazz and blues songs professionally for others (CHERYL LYNN, SYREETA, FREDDIE HUBBARD, and BO DIDDLEY) and teaching countless students commercial songwriting secrets, CAT COHEN is now practicing what he’s been preaching for so many years. In this age of the indie artist he’s recorded ten of his most insightful and expressive efforts himself, SONGS OF SURVIVAL AND SWEET SURRENDER. Working with veteran guitarist-producer ED TREE and vocal coaches TRACY VIGNATI and MAMA O, Cat has literally done a Mr. Holland’s Opus with this collection of soulful boomer funky jazzy rock tunes that pay homage to the writing and vocal styles of MOSE ALLISON, STEELY DAN, BILLY JOEL, VAN MORRISON, BONNIE RAITT, and LUTHER VANDROSS. This conceptual album with its unique blend of pop styles, takes the discriminating listener on a gritty inspirational journey through contemporary struggles for physical, economic, emotional and spiritual survival in these challenging times.
A NARAS member and ASCAP songwriter, CAT has also co-written a jazz instrumental featured in the HBO movie THE RAT PACK as well as a funk tune for the hit Universal feature film UNDERCOVER BROTHER. He also wrote a children's operetta for OPERA PACIFIC which was performed in schools across the Southern california area. Cat wrote the chapter on music theory for John Braheny's book The Craft And Business Of Songwriting.
CAT has long taught songwriting at UCLA EXTENSION and is an artist development instructor at MUSICIAN'S INSTITUTE in Hollywood. Recently he has been added to the music faculty at CAL POLY POMONA. He coaches and consults for keyboard players, singers and songwriters in private sessions in the L.A. area.
An accomplished author as well, CAT recently self-published the book SONGWRITING FOR YOUR ORIGINAL ACT which asks all performers the hard questions about who they are, who their audience is, and their core messages. It is a must for the serious performing songwriter, and is available at amazon.com or directly from the author at [email protected].
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After challenging his songwriting students to come up with an anti-Iraq War song, he wrote BUSH'S FOLLY. Last year he released a single BLUE STATE OF MIND/BUSH’S FOLLY which was well received by some leading politicians, and also made a difference to someone whose brother is serving in IRAQ. . Here is what they all had to say:
Thank you very much for the CD of self-composed songs (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). I will place it on public display in my office as property of the State of Wisconsin.
-- Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D - Wisconsin)
Thank you for your copy of your CD (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). You were very thoughtful to include me in the distribution of this work.
-- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D - New York)
A myspace member from Missouri sent him this email about Bush's Folly.
I just wanted to let you know how much your song Bush's Folly means to me. I have a brother in Iraq right now, he's back on his 5th tour of duty and is struggling with PTSD/suicidal thoughts.
Best,
Trevor******************************************************
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Cat sometimes performs at Kulak's Woodshed. Below are a couple of videos of him singing two of his songs at the piano, SHIP IN THE NIGHT and BLUE STATE OF MIND.
SHIP IN THE NIGHT -- LIVE @ KULAK'S WOODSHED, 1/8/07
BLUE STATE OF MIND -- LIVE @ KULAK'S WOODSHED, 10/30/06
