Louis Cato, the renowned singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has released a new solo record, Reflections.
As Colbert proclaimed when he introduced Louis as The Late Show‘s new bandleader last summer, “He is a musical genius. He can basically play every instrument on that stand over there. Give him an afternoon, he’ll learn how to play Mozart on a shoehorn.”
While there is no audible shoehorn playing to be found on Reflections, performed in its entirety by Cato, the project is a mere glimpse at a musical talent as varied as it is prodigious. Cato brings a kind and empathetic essence to his songs on this new body of work, which slides from Stevie Wonder-style soul (on the title track) to punchy folk-funk (on “Miss You”) to the acoustic blues of “Someday You’ll Understand” with remarkable ease.
The Latin-tinged R&B groove of “Good Enough”, the haunting lullaby waltz of “Unsightly Room”, the jazz-lounge earnestness of “Human” and “Another Day”, and a sauntering collaboration with Elizabeth Ziman and The Catapult on ethereal campfire song “Another Day” set up the album’s final track, “Cutie Baby”, an upbeat, gospel-tinged solo acoustic tune that masterfully borrows a lesson or two from the Sam Cooke School of Swoon.
Watch a newly released in-studio video for “Cutie Baby” and listen to Reflections in its entirety below. Stream or purchase Reflections by Louis Cato on the platform of your choice here.
Louis Cato – “Cutie Baby” (Live Studio Performance)
Louis Cato – Reflections – Full Album
On the heels of his recent Newport Jazz Festival debut, Louis Cato will head to New York’s (Le) Poisson Rouge tonight, Friday, August 11th, with a performance featuring Reflections featured artist Elizabeth Ziman. Tickets for the album release show are available here. Find a complete list of upcoming Cato tour dates below.
Louis Cato Upcoming Live Performances
August 11—New York, NY—(Le) Poisson Rouge
August 17—La Jolla, CA—The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
August 19—La Jolla, CA—The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
November 28—New York, NY—The 65th Street Session: Cory Wong, Louis Cato,
Meshell Ndegeocello and Chris Thile