Catherine Bent (cello, piano, composer, arranger) is a native of London, England and has lived in New York City for over ten years, in which time she has played a lot of Jazz, Experimental, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and other music. She has studied improvisation with the Turtle Island String Quartet, Rob Thomas, Christian Howes, Garry Dial, Allan Chase, John McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Banacos. Catherine has a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory.
Catherine is on the artists' roster of Cirque du Soleil and played electric cello for Cirque's North American tour of "Quidam." She has also toured with Joe Jackson and Greg Osby, recorded with Lee Konitz and with countless other artists. Her engagements are as diverse as the Palm Beach Opera and Dafnis Prieto's Absolute Quintet, and principal cellist of the One World Symphony.
For five years, Catherine directed the Orchestra and strings program at Columbia Grammar School. She continues to teach privately, and is committed to helping future generations of string players approach music creatively.
She has recently: Played with Kanye West on Saturday Night Live and at the Live Earth Festival at Giants Stadium. Played with Donna Summer. Recorded with Bone Thugs 'n' Harmony. Spent a month making music with Dave Douglas and others at the Banff Centre and a week cycling the length of the Icefields Parkway. Soloed in The Moth's storytelling events. Played a concert with Dave Holland. Learnt to scuba dive.
Catherine currently plays with the Boston-based J-Way String Quartet, and leads Waters of March, a sextet that plays her own compositions, and Choros com Chocolate, a quartet that plays choros and original Brazilian-influenced music. Check them out at www.catherinebent.com
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