Cathy-Ann Wells

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Bio

Recipient of 2 Scorpion awards for favorite female vocalist in the Okanagan. Cathy-Ann Wells (A.K.A. PHAT Betty) rocks the house, interpreting jazz classics, belting out blues with her dynamic vocal powers and screeching out Janis Joplin with a likeness so uncanny you could close your eyes and flash back to Haight Ashbury. If Jazz, Jump Blues, Swing and Janis are to your liking, you won't want to miss this act.Vocalist Cat Wells knows how to reach into your soul as if relaying your own heartfelt tragedy with her emotion filled, energetic and impromptu brand of Blues. With her earliest idols being Miss Billie Holiday followed by Etta James and Janis Joplin, it's not surprising to hear hints of Jazz and Funk thrown in there as well. Her poignant use of phasing and creative manipulation of notes whisk you into a smokey bayou where you experience her own interruptive twist on styles.

Born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Toronto's suburbs, Cat began singing at an early age. In fact her grade one report card boasts "Cathy-Ann loves to sing and entertains us quite frequently". She has run the gambit on musical styles including Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Rock, Funk, Jazz and finally Blues.

After some eager experimentation with Jazz, Cat released her 1st CD in March 2002 "Cathy-Ann Wells Live with the Bowman Trio". Although the release was met with great reviews, her loyalist of fans still enquired endlessly for a Blues recording of the vigorous live performance of PHAT Betty, prompting the release of "PHAT Betty - Bootleg Blues" in March 2003.

Now, with the acceptance of 2 CD's under her belt, Wells is finally recording her original material, most notably she is recording a well received jump blues tune entitled "Brand New Shoes" with guest Harpdog Brown on Harmonica and "Everything I had is Gone" featuring Sonny Rhodes on Slide Guitar and Vocals. Although performances by PHAT Betty are becoming fewer in the Okanagan, Wells returns yearly to give back to the friends and fans that set her on her musical course.

PHAT Betty's backing band "Who's Your Daddy" features Art Bhoem (Blues Tribe) on Bass, Chris Parr (Ricky and the Blue Cats) on Guitar and 7 year member Scott Grant on Drums.

For performance dates please check her website www.phatbetty.com as it is ever changing.