Orenda Records released Cathlene Pinda’s second album, “Passing: a California Suite” in January 2016. “Airy and elegant, and haunting” (Cesareo Garcia, The Californian). This album was originally commissioned by Los Angeles Jazz Society. It premiered at the Angel City Jazz Festival at REDCAT theater. It’s a music suite that is inspired by the work of Eloise Kleinhealy, Los Angeles’ first Poet Laureate. The piece incorporates poetry throughout and has an “open atmosphere” that hints at the complexity of the city (Lee Epstein – freejazzblog.org). Orenda Records released Pineda’s first album of original compositions in 2014. Greenleaf Music creator Dave Douglas, a Grammy-winning artist, describes the album as “a personal statement”, and her originality and taste in composing it reflect that…Pineda will be a great artist you want to listen to and get to know.” The Los Angeles Times also calls the album a “graceful pleasure”. This collection is a reflection of the power of the ephemeral. It was created during what was thought to be her father’s final hours. Joe LaBarbara is a world-renowned member of Bill Evans Trio. He says “A Week’s Time”, a “wonderful trip into the world of this young, original musician.” Cathlene Pineda’s new compositions are original and thoughtful. But, most importantly, they are very enjoyable to listen too. Rainbow Baby, her third album, will be released in May 2020. It chronicles her journey through motherhood and birth. It tells the story of her life. Highlights include an ongoing collaboration between the Big Show Dance Company (premiered October 2015, again February 2017), to incorporate original compositions with recorded memory, a commission from Oakwood School for a collaborative dance/choral piece and a piece for Jane Goodall Institute. Her featured compositions are also in the critically-acclaimed comedy, “Jason Nash Is Married,” which was produced by Comedy Central Studios. She is currently working with the University of Idaho Pocatello on a choral piece. It will be performed in 2020. Pineda has performed with a wide range of musicians including Bobby Bradford, Charlie Haden and Bobby Bradford, Art Lande, Dave Douglas and Stephanie Richards. Pineda is a performer and composer. She has performed with dance companies as well as animators and visual artists. Recently, she composed and performed a large-scale piece with multi-reedist Vinny Greenlief in collaboration with the dance and music departments of the Jakarta Institute of the Arts. Recent performances include the Egyptian Theater, in collaboration the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Weimar Film Festival and the Conrad Prebys Music Hall, UC San Diego, The Fillmore Jazz Festival and The Panorama Music Summit in Bakersfield. Also, The Ford Theater in Los Angeles, CA as part of The Angel City Jazz Festival. The REDCAT Theatre at Disney Hall in collaboration Maureen Selwood. The Beatniq Jazz Club, Calgary, as a TD Bank sponsored artist. The Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, The Janet Wallace Concert Hall at Macalester College and The Janet Wallace Concert Hall, The Janet Wallace Concert Hall at Macalester College and The Janet Wallace Concert Hall at Macalester College. Pineda holds a Master of Fine Arts in jazz composition and piano performance from the California Institute of the Arts, as well as a Bachelor of Music with distinction from the Mannes College of Music. She is also a Glendale Community College professor and manages a private piano and composition studio. She lives with her husband and two children in Los Angeles. from www.cathlenepineda.com
