Gary Katz is an American record producer, best known for his work on albums bySteely Dan. Katz has also produced numerous other recording artists and assisted in the discovery and signing of a number of subsequently successful acts. He has four Grammy nominations.[1]
A lifelong music fan, Katz grew up inNew York City listening toChuck Berry andFats Domino on a transistor radio. He had friends in the bandJay and the Americans who were his connection to the music business. The band worked withJerry Leiber andMike Stoller, who produced hit records forthe Coasters andthe Drifters. After Katz spent time with Leiber and Stoller in the studio, he realized he wanted to be a record producer. His first job after graduating from school was with singerBobby Darin. Darin admired Bobby Kennedy, and when Kennedy was shot, Darin dropped out of music. Katz found work atAvco Embassy, but two years later the company closed. A friend in Los Angeles who was working forDunhill Records suggested Katz write a letter to Jay Lasker, the head of Dunhill, to ask for a job. The letter amused Lasker, and he hired Katz.[2]
Katz worked withThe Mamas & the Papas,Steppenwolf, andThree Dog Night.[3] Katz also has broad experience withA & R, responsible for artist signings such asJim Croce,Chaka Khan,Rufus, andJimmy Buffett.
Katz is most famous for his work as a producer on everySteely Dan album recorded during the first run of their career, fromCan't Buy a Thrill in 1972 toGaucho in 1980.[4][5][6] He also producedThe Nightfly, the first solo album by the band's lead vocalistDonald Fagen, in 1982.[3]
The original cast albumThe Gospel at Colonus was produced byBob Telson along with Fagen, Katz, and Daniel Lazarus.[7]
Katz produced a remake of “Let’s Do It Again” by theRepercussions forAll Men Are Brothers: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield, withCurtis Mayfield singing the second verse while lying on his back in the recording studio.[8][9]
Katz's other production credits include albums byDiana Ross,10cc,Joe Cocker,The Alarm,Laura Nyro,Rosie Vela,Thomas Jefferson Kaye,Eye to Eye,[10]Love and Money,Roger Christian,[11] andMarc Jordan.[3] He was a project manager for the alternative metal bandSevendust in 2005.[12]
Katz had a joint venture withInterscope called Jake Records before moving to Warner Brothers as a producer and A&R man, where they enjoyed success as a company and creating new artists. He was one of two people responsible for signingPrince,Dire Straits,Christopher Cross, andRickie Lee Jones to Warner Bros. He worked at the Burbank offices for six years, then at the New York offices for another four, alongsideJerry Wexler.
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