Catherine Madewell
'20
Music transcends everything. It’s sensual and evokes feelings. Music is the universal language that is understood by everyone, and with hard work, can be spoken by anyone.
Catherine Madewell is a woodwind player and composer in the Philadelphia area, known to her colleagues as Cat. She developed a love for jazz at an early age after hearing a recording of Charlie Parker and began to play the saxophone in fourth grade. Cat went on to pursue a BM in Jazz Studies and a minor in Music Education from UArts. She has studied with prominent musicians such as Mark Allen, Tony Salicandro, Ron Kerber, and Larry McKenna. Her biggest musical influences include Cannonball Adderley, Melissia Aldana, Hank Mobely, Esperanza Spalding and Sonny Stitt.
Cat is currently the lead alto player for the “Z” Big Band ensemble at UArts. Through “Z” Big Band, she has had the opportunity to perform with one of her idols, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. She has also performed with The O-Jays at their induction into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame. Cat is a founding member of UArts’ Femme Ensemble and regularly composes for the all-female group. She considers it to be one of her greatest accomplishments during her time as a student.
Throughout Cat’s career as a woodwind player, she has played in the pit orchestras of several theater companies across the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. She is currently an instructor for The Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra. After college, Cat plans on leading and developing a school band program, continuing to advocate for more women in jazz, and continuing her extensive career as a performer and composer.
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