‘Catpack’, from Los Angeles trio Phil Beaudreau, Jacob Mann and Amber Navran (of Moonchild).
Phil Beaudreau plays trumpet, sings and produces in Catpack. Dr. Dre, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, The Game, and Travis Barker are just a few of the names the Los Angeles producer, writer and recording artist has worked with over the last several years. After garnering major label attention with his debut album, ‘Ether’, Beaudreau signed to Def Jam Universal as part of his duo group AOE. In 2020, Beaudreau received GRAMMY nominations for his work as executive producer on Black Violin’s newest album, ‘Take the Stairs’, and as producer on Justin Bieber’s latest studio album, ‘Changes’. In September of 2019, his song ‘Dreams’ (co-written with fellow Peer Publishing artist Andrew Simple) was featured in Dreamworks’ animated film, Abominable.
Jacob Mann is the keyboardist, clarinet player and producer in Catpack, with solo recordings under his own name and big band albums with the Jacob Mann Big Band (which also features Amber as a member). Jacob has released collaborative albums with jazz-funk bands such as Max Ox, and Shrek Is Love and a duo album with bassist Sam Wilkes.
Amber Navran is an LA-based musician who sings, plays flute and produces in Catpack, and is 1/3 of the renowned neo-soul trio Moonchild. As a member of Moonchild, Navran has released five albums and received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2023. The group has performed at major festivals worldwide, including Roots Picnic, Love Supreme, Cape Town Jazz Fest, Corona Sunsets Okinawa and Jakarta Jazz, and has sold out over 300 shows in 35 countries.
Navran is recognized for her distinctive, multi-layered voice and her production and performance acumen, which she brings to Catpack. She has collaborated, produced and toured with esteemed artists such as Kamasi Washington, Stevie Wonder, The Internet, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway and Robert Glasper, and built up a host of iconic supporters along the way. As a solo artist and producer, she has two projects out and collaborates frequently with Rapsody, 9th Wonder, R+R=NOW, Mumu Fresh, Knower, Louis Cole, Jacob Mann Big Band, Chris Dave, Daniel Crawford, Raquel Rodriguez and more.
Phil emotionally summarises the wholesomeness of the project: “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more like myself than when I’m making music with Amber and Jacob…. It’s an amazing feeling to work with people whose art you’re in awe of, but it’s something deeper when there’s space for friendship. That chemistry is a gift, and it makes the work so easy to do.”
