Take One by The catz in the hatz

we recorded /produced /engineered our own cd that we do sell out of every weekend at our regular gig. yep...we all have day jobs and we were all in the hair bands of the 80's ya know tears for fears, mister mister, duran duran, heck, one of us even was in the disneyland marching band !! and one of us was school mates and still good freinds with actor edward james olmos. but now..its jazz for us...some of our old rock buddies say man jazz sucks !! well, i'll tell ya, i did 20 years every weekend of 20 yrs playing what was current but never alowed to be creative...not like this..so if your intrested to hear what ex rock and rollers sound like playing jazz, then check us out...one thing ive noticed....its alot quieter.. sometimes......oh and if you would like to go to our homepage and read some magazine reviews on us, then go to www.catzinhatz.com.....you can see us live every weekend at the mandoline bistro in big bear lake california . the show starts at 8pm...till then, peace and love, ---terry copley( bass)

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For those of you who don't like reading reviews all the way through, I'll start off with the bottom line: You've got to hear this band.

Why? Quite simply because The Catz in the Hatz are the best thing to happen to jazz in the last two years.

Do I have your attention? Good - because this band blows the socks off 99 percent of what passes for jazz these days. And I'll say it again - you've got to hear them. Firmly rooted in straight-ahead, traditional jazz, the Catz aren't afraid to explore the relaxing groove that has fueled the jazz resurgence. And when they cook ... look Out. They like nothing better than turning jazz into an all-out party. No wonder they've been the toast of Big Bear for the last year and have often been called "the best kept jazz secret in Southern California."

That's all about to change. This bright spot on the jazz scene has released its first album, "take one", a collection of jazz. standards that combines sizzling instrumentals with the best of the Great American Songbook. leading the charge is front man Steve Johnson, whose smooth baritone could easily share the stage with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole or Tony Bennett. It's the kind of voice tailor made for jazz at its lights-low romantic best and Johnson wrings every ounce out of such songs as Sinatra's 'One For My Baby," "Angel Eyes," and the classic "It Was a Very Good Year."

Johnson, in fact, learned Sinatra-style phrasing as a young boy, singing with his father in the family living room. And it has paid off handsomely. His voice can easily explore the romance in a song while maintaining the kind of edge that makes him a rarity-a jazz singer who can make a song his own.

But the fun doesn't stop there. The Catz aren't simply a phone-it-in backup band. These are seasoned musicians who love the music and know how to have fun with it. Guitarist Mike Wiens is often so smooth he makes jazz look deceptively easy. With a style that recalls Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery, Wiens can produce jaw-dropping solos that leave audiences screaming. Mike Cross, whose keyboards first fleshed out the Catz sound a year ago, is a 40-year piano veteran whose confidence and improvisation have inspired audiences and visiting musicians alike. Cross's solos easily bridge the straight-ahead sounds of Barry Harris and Jon Mayer with the more fun-loving approach of smooth jazz's David Benoit. It's a strong, self-assured approach that's always fresh and challenging.

The Catz in the Hatz also feature a dynamic rhythm section, featuring drummer Steve Boggio, whose solid timing and innovative solos make him an audience favorite. And bassist Terry Copley isn't a hang-out-in-the-corner bass player. He's all over the stage in live gigs, delivering solos with an originality, power and machine-gun energy reminiscent of the late Jaco Pastorius of Weather Report fame. Copley can also deliver on the quieter tunes, complimenting Johnson's dreamy vocals with a bass solo on "My Funny Valentine."

Add these elements up and you get some of the best cuts on this CD - Peggy Lee's "Fever," Mel Torme's "I'm Coming Home," Duke Ellington's "Lucky So and So," and what may be the best song on the album, Nat Cole's "Nature Boy," where Johnson's scatting is surrounded by seamless solos from the other band members. As jazz rushes back into the mainstream, its retro stylings have found a home with fans of Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall. But now things have taken a new turn with the Catz in the Hatz, a band that's putting the energy and style back into America's music. Want some feel good jazz laced with some of the best vocal work on the planet? These are the guys. The Catz in the Hatz have arrived. See them. Buy the CD. You won't be sorry. Ever.terry copley..bass..preformed with johnny rivers, jon andersen ( YES ) cannible and the head hunters, dick dale, lee oscar, donny brooks, gloria loring and more. steve boggio drums, played with celebrated swing band two tone riot. mike weins, guitar, preformed with queen latifa. mike cross, piano,worked at disneyland in both the marching band and the firehouse five jazz ensamble. steve johnson, vocals, has preformed with spike jones jr, and has been featured in many movies and tv shows. dream merchant magazine has called the catz in the hatz " the best kept jazz secret in southern california" . The catz are getting massive radio play here in the southern california mountains with cuts of their first cd " TAKE ONE" available at the gig. with over 120 years of stage experience, those of you who don't like reading reviews all the way through, I'll start off with the bottom line: You've got to hear this band. jazzpolice.com call the catz in the hatz " the best kept jazz secret in southern california".They're the best thing to come out of California since the gold rush!! Ok, ok yes I'm paid to write about artits for this website but hey I don't lie! I'm now a true blue Catz In The Hatz fan. But when you hear them or better yet SEE them you just can't help yourself. They put on a show that's funny, entertaining and filled with Jazz like you've NEVER heard before.

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