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Gratitude 

It's been a whirlwind year of music, and such a joy after those two years when we couldn't play indoor gigs or do much of anything together. I want to list a few things for which I have enormous gratitude.

  • Throughout the lockdown, choro companions and I continued to meet in a park by my house and play for the public and ourselves. We even found several new choro enthusiasts and so our circle came through the pandemic stronger than ever.
  • 10-string bandolinist Ian Coury came into my life and we clicked. Over 14 months we've played almost 30 shows and continue to develop new material. (Watch out for an album in 2023!)
  • I'm grateful to have been able to travel again. It was a joy to return to Brasil, to reconnect with friends and the wonderful musicians that I have missed making music with. I especially thank Daniela Spielmann, Sheila Zagury, Silverio Pontes, and Franco Galvão for making the gigs happen!
  • I was able continue to teach throughout the pandemic, and the Zoom years had a huge silver lining: that I reach more people now by teaching online. I have a wonderful new crop of cello students and piano students, and it's so invigorating to work with them.
  • I have grieved for Eduardo Ferreira and David Rumpler—two friends and great souls in Brazilian music. I mourn all the lives taken by Covid, and the pain endured by their families.
  • Life is so precious—this was never so clear to me! I resolve to make only the best music, work with the kindest people, and strive always to bring more beauty into the world. 

Thank you for stopping by my site, please check out the shows page and come say hi!
love,
Catherine

Ideal is released today! 

My love letter to Brazil—it's been a long time coming—is finally live today! It feels like any other perfect spring day in Boston, but in my heart I feel joyful that I was able to make this piece of art. I had the help of many friends, the wonderful musicians who play on the record, and those who sang at the end as my virtual airplane lifted off from Antonio Carlos Jobim airport. I send my love to all.

As much as this record is a tribute to Brazil and its traditions, I aimed to also make it an honest document of myself. My roots and all the significant places on my musical journey, my tidyness and my mess, my humor and my rebelliousness, they are all represented and I hope that you'll respond with some recognition, some new insights, and some joy. If it makes you smile and makes you dance, I will have been successful.

Welcome to this real world, "Ideal", and I hope you'll make it just a tiny bit of a better place!

bem-vindo! welcome!  

Good Morning! I decided that a new record release merited a new website, so welcome to the new catherinebent.com! My goal is to make your visit as pleasant, efficient, and informative as possible, so you have any suggestions for improvements, please leave a comment. If you click on only one page, make it the Music page, and hear some of my new projects and recordings! Thank you for visiting.

"Ideal—an original tribute to traditional Brazilian music"

Shows

Date Event Location
The Electric String Summit Number 15, Louisville, KY 40202 Number 15, Louisville, KY 40202
 —  — Ian Coury & Catherine Bent (+friends) Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA
 —  — Ian Coury & Catherine Bent (+friends) Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA
 —  — Ian Coury & Catherine Bent (+friends) Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA
 —  — Ian Coury & Catherine Bent (+friends) Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA Roundhead Brewing , Hyde Park, MA
Ian Coury & Catherine Bent | Zafarán The Burren Back Room, Somerville, MA The Burren Back Room, Somerville, MA
 —  — Bent-Friedland-Runefeld Jazz Trio Eliot Schoolyard Concerts, Boston MA Eliot Schoolyard Concerts, Boston MA
Choro Noho (Choro Camp New England faculty concert) Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Northampton MA Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Northampton MA
New Directions Cello Festival faculty concert Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, Florence, MA Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, Florence, MA