Colleen Kattau is our premiere artist for CNY Music Now: Studio Sessions.
“Ever since childhood Kattau has been imbued with a voice that haunts with its clarity and range”- Syracuse New Times.
“Pitch-perfect vocals”. Professor Louie (2017)
“Well that was a religious experience and I’m not even religious!” – Unity Hall audience member
“Hauntingly beautiful rendition” (of Hard Times Come again no more), Marco Fructo.
Colleen is a Central New York-based bilingual vocalist and dynamic performer who stirs listeners with a clear strong voice, and engages audiences with her collective spirit and rhythmic sensibility. Colleen’s music is featured on Democracy Now and she’s shared the stage with Holly Near and Pete Seeger who said “she’s a great singer and organizer at the same time”.
In addition to her own songs she interprets and performs pieces from the Latin American nueva canción in her band Dos XX. In 2019, she was invited to tour Italy performing at the international Ritmi y danze dal mondo festival in Venuto and at the European Ecovillages Conference in Tuscany (and yes, a US girl singing Bella ciao was a big hit!!), and she has travelled many times to Colombia to perform and to engage in solidarity work with her sister community in Popayán.
Colleen believes in the transformative power of song to create a more just and beautiful world, and that is how she approaches songwriting and interpretation. She’s been called “our lady of peace” and is a beloved singer in her community bringing diverse folks together in song. She has recorded seven albums and three successful benefit compilations for environmental and peace actions, and has been a SAMMIES nominee twice, most recently for her 2020 album Besos Kisses. Colleen is also an avid organic gardener who lives on a rural land trust in Central New York. In addition to her music-making, Colleen teaches Spanish at SUNY Cortland.
Personal note: This last year has been hard on us all around the world because of the pandemic, yes, but I know so many people who have suffered personal losses as well. I too lost my beloved friend, genius musician, and music mate Mike Brandt who died of cancer last October. He is sorely missed but he must be making mischief and music with our other beloved friend, genius musician and music mate Jolie Rickman….
You can find Colleen online:
Website: colleenkattau.com
Facebook: facebook.com/colleen.kattau
Instagram: @colleen.kattau
