Fred Katz (cellist) facts for kids
Frederick Katz (born February 25, 1919 – died September 7, 2013) was an American cellist and composer. He was one of the first jazz musicians to make the cello a main solo instrument for improvisation. People in CODA magazine even called him "the first real jazz cellist."
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About Fred Katz
Fred Katz was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He learned classical music and studied with the famous cellist Pablo Casals. He also played with big groups like the National Symphony Orchestra. Fred was a child prodigy, meaning he was super talented at a young age, playing both the cello and piano. He performed in public when he was still a teenager. He also loved the music he heard in Manhattan nightclubs and folk music.
During World War II, Fred led concerts and wrote musical shows for the U.S. Seventh Army.
Fred Katz and Jazz Music
Fred Katz is most famous for being part of drummer Chico Hamilton's quintet. This was a very important West Coast jazz group in the 1950s. Fred's cello playing helped define the group's "chamber jazz" sound, which was like classical chamber music mixed with jazz. The group quickly became very popular.
The Chico Hamilton Quintet, with Fred Katz, even appeared in the movie Sweet Smell of Success (1957). This film starred famous actors like Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. Fred and Chico Hamilton wrote music for the movie, but another composer's music was used instead.
Fred Katz also made several of his own albums. Another big moment in his career was writing and leading the music for singer Carmen McRae's album Carmen For Cool Ones in 1958.
Music for Movies
One of Fred's most well-known pieces of music was his score for the film A Bucket of Blood (1959). This movie was directed by Roger Corman. What's interesting is that this same music was used in seven other Corman films! These included The Wasp Woman (1959) and Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961).
Fred explained that the music for Corman's The Little Shop of Horrors was put together by a music editor. The editor took parts from other movie soundtracks that Fred had already made for Corman.
Later Life and Teaching
Later in his life, Fred Katz became a professor. He taught about ethnic music in the Anthropology Department at California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Northridge. For over 30 years, he taught subjects like world music, anthropology, religion, and Jewish mysticism. He lived in Fullerton for a long time. One of his students was John Densmore, who became the drummer for the famous band The Doors.
Fred Katz passed away on September 7, 2013, in Santa Monica, California.
Fred Katz's Music Albums
As the Main Artist
- Zen: The Music of Fred Katz (1956)
- Soul° Cello (1958)
- 4-5-6 Trio (1958)
- Folk Songs for Far Out Folk (1958)
- Fred Katz and his Jammers (1959)
Music for Films and TV Shows
- Never Alone (1958)
- T Is for Tumbleweed (1958)
- A Bucket of Blood (1959)
- The Wasp Woman (1959)
- Ski Troop Attack (1960)
- Battle of Blood Island (1960)
- The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
- Rebel in Paradise (1960)
- Johnny Staccato (1960)
- Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961)
- The Puppet's Dream (1961)
- Checkmate (1961)
- The Horizontal Lieutenant (1962)
- Leaf (1962)
- College (1962)
- The Sorcerer (1963)
- Quest for Freedom (1966)
- The Birth of Aphrodite (1971)
- The Life of Gauguin
