On IN2UITION, vocalist CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA teams up with some of the finest pianists on the scene today to create an album of stunning jazz duets. Segal-Garcia is a stalwart on the Los Angeles scene. She’s not only a highly creative singer who’s not afraid to take chances and push the musical envelope, she’s also a songwriter, teacher, impresario, and jazz writer.

IN2UITION is Segal-Garcia’s 10th album as a leader. Although she sets the tone and direction for each recording, Segal-Garcia approaches every project as a truly collaborative effort. An instinctive improviser, she’s always seeking new modes of expression and considers each of her recordings a snapshot of where she was musically at that moment in time.

She has always been particularly drawn to the duo setting. According to Segal-Garcia, “I really love the intimacy of performing as a duo, because it allows you to establish a deep musical dialog. But duos are actually quite demanding. When there’s just the two of you, you can explore new ideas and change direction in just an instant. It gives you a lot of freedom, but it also requires you to be hyper-aware and tuned into the other person at every moment, because there’s no band to support you.”

IN2UITION is a 2-CD set of 14 songs comprising both well-known standards by the likes of Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, Rodgers & Hart, and others, as well as original tunes by Segal-Garcia and one by BEVAN MANSON, the superb pianist who provides accompaniment on “Looking for Bill,” the tune he composed and dedicated to Bill Evans.

Segal-Garcia has a warm, alto voice. She can really swing, as she demonstrates on Cole Porter’s “I Love You,” which she performs with JOSH NELSON, the very creative, rising jazz star who was just featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America. She can also render a ballad with great depth and sensitivity, which she does on Rodgers & Hart’s “It Never Entered My Mind.” She performs that tune accompanied by DAVE MOSCOE, a local L.A. treasure and popular musical partner for singers. The 11 accompanists she chose for this project are diverse in their approach to music, but are all highly respected and leaders in their own right. Finding common musical ground among such a diversified group of musicians is a testament to Segal-Garcia’s talents, openness, and daring.

Segal-Garcia is a consummate jazz artist who can adjust to the demands of any musical approach, whether she’s singing a soulful rendition of the Monk tune “Ruby My Dear” with JOHN BEASLEY, who received two Grammy nominations for his 15-piece big band MONKestra, performing a gorgeous rendition of Jobim’s “Bonita” with Grammy-nominated OTMARO RUIZ, the Venezuelan native known for his versatility and virtuosity, or tackling a jazzed up version of “America” with LLEW MATTHEWS, who has worked with luminaries such as Jackie McLean, Kenny Dorham, and Nancy Wilson.

Over her long career, Segal-Garcia has worked with each of these accomplished musicians in various venues around California. VARDAN OVSEPIAN, JANE GETZ, and GARY FUKISHIMA are all storied musicians with a long list of performance credits and recordings with many of the top names in jazz. Segal-Garcia decided to include additional textures to this CD by adding violin to two of her original compositions. Pianist KAREN HAMMACK and violinist/vocalist CALABRIA FOTI lend their sensitive approach and unique stylings to Segal-Garcia’s “Mary O’Shaunnessy,” which she co-wrote with her husband Gary Hoffman and is based on a real person they met on a trip to Ireland, and “The Room,” a sad tune she wrote in remembrance of a lost friend.

On IN2UITION, Segal-Garcia shows the versatility and command of the music that only a highly experienced jazz musician can manifest. A truly collaborative effort, IN2UITION is the latest musical snapshot of an artist who never settles for yesterday’s tropes.

Cathy dedicates this CD to her late twin sisters, Margy and Edie, whose picture appears on the cover of this CD.