Cathy Irons
violinist: performer and teacher
Classical Jazz Quartet
Barry Brinson (piano)
Michael Davis (double bass)
Doug Brush (drums)
“Characterized by inspirational musicianship, bringing the audience to their feet expressing their obvious delight" and with "gasps of 'wow' could be heard from the audience," the Classical Jazz Quartet bring an eclectic mix of classical music infused with the fun and rhythmic energy of jazz.
Listen afresh as CJQ showcases music from the swing era of Stefan Grappelli, George Shearing, Claude Bolling and Jacques Loussier, and their own adaptations of various classical works from Bach, Paganini to Piazzolla.
Each a recognised musician in their own field, the four musicians revel in getting together, ignoring convention and freely cross the boundaries of music with conviction and delight.
All CJQ musicians are Christchurch-based with extensive NZ and international experience, including performances at the Cavell Leitch NZ Jazz and Blues Festival, the Dunedin Fringe Festival, Deia International Music Festival (Spain) and the Arrowtown Spring Arts Festival.
Biography
In brief
Cathy Irons played in the Kwa-Zulu
Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa before immigrating
to Christchurch in 1997. She is currently a first violinist and the
Community Engagement Project Leader for the Christchurch Symphony
Orchestra. She has broadcast on South African Radio and TV, Radio NZ
Concert, Plains FM and CTV and regularly performs recitals and chamber
music concerts throughout NZ.
Another string to her bow, is her cross-over jazz playing in her group, The Classical Jazz Quartet which played for the NZ Jazz and Blues Festival.
Q & A
Education
As a promising teenage pianist in South Africa, Cathy recorded and broadcast regularly for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and was invited to record several times on television. She also sang for the Pope, the late John Paul II in Rome while on tour with the Natal Youth Choir.
However, at the University of Natal, she began concentrating more on the violin and graduated with a distinction for her Bachelor of Music (4 years) specializing in Orchestral Performance.
She was awarded an AMI Professional Development Fund to study with Wilma Smith, Michael Dauth and Keith Crellin in Australia. She has participated in masterclasses with Shlomo Mintz, Sergey Malov and Anthony Marwood.
Orchestras and Concertos
During her studies, and subsequently, she played with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Cathy immigrated to Christchurch in 1997 where she is a first violinist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO). She has acted concertmaster for both the Vector Wellington Sinfonia and CSO. She currently leads the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra.
Chamber Music
She formed the string trio, Tres Cordes which toured nationally for Chamber Music NZ and produced the CD String Trio Sapphires.
Education Work
Cathy tours South Island regularly giving talks at high schools and retirement homes, violin demonstrations and lessons, composition and arranging workshops and orchestral sectionals. She performs and gives feedback to young composers at the Composer Workshops held at Nelson each year. She has a small private teaching core of students in Christchurch.
Classical Jazz
Composing and Arranging
Snapshots and Thoughts
Photo: Cathy playing for Jolt Dance at the Body Festival
"Children respond so readily to music. Playing for Jolt Dance gave me insight into the boundless imagination of children, expressed freely through their dance and movement."
