|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Member
Since |
Jun 03, 2006 |
|
Influences
|
SINATRA, TORME , WES MONTGOMERY , JIMMY SMITH , CLASSIC ROCK AND ROLL , ELDEE YOUNG , JOHN BONHAM , THE BEATLES., |
|
Sounds Like
|
SOUNDS LIKE SINATRA / TORME WITH A BAND OF HYPER MUSICIANS. WERE NOT TRYING TO BE THEM BUT WE JUST LOVE DOIN THE MUSIC., |
|
Record Label
|
RHOMBUS RECORDS OF LOS ANGELES. WWW.RHOMBUS-RECORDS.COM |
|
|
| |
| General
|
PLAYING TRADITIONAL STANDARDS AND ORIGIONAL MATERIAL AND PLEASEING THE CROWDS. RECORDING AND PLAYING LIVE. WE ALL LIKE ICE CREAM AND JELLY BABYS.
|
| Music
|
JAZZ/CLASSIC ROCK/BLUES AND OTHER FUN THINGS
|
|
|
| |
| Gender |
Male
|
| Status |
Single |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
GRADY HARP / AMAZON.COM MUSIC REVIEWER/JAZZ
SOMTHING NEW.....THE CATZ IN THE HATZ
ALBUM : RESILIENCE
THE CATZ IN THE HATZ is a difficult CD to classify: it is part nostalgia part hilarious humor, part terrific scat singing a lot of really warm crooning and a showcase for some amazing talent! The only thing that feels missing from this experience is the visual - that is watching these five gifted men strut their inimitable stuff on a stage. But given a CD format the other flavors are all here.
The amazing vocal lead of this jazz group is Steve Johnson a man with talent to burn and a vocal range to compete with any baritone around. He sings with the old style of MEANING all the lyrics and playing with the familiar melodies making them all his own. This is a voice so mellow and so pitch-true that everything else about Johnson's renditions seems like gravy. He traverses the oldies but goodies such as 'My Funny Valentine' 'Lucky So and So' 'One for my Baby' 'Angel Eyes' and an incredible 'It Was a Very Good Year'.
But Steve Johnson is only one fifth of this fine ensemble. Each of the other troupers here is masterful in his own right: Mike Cross (just catch his take on Beethoven's 'Fur Elise' - a real parody and the essence of jazz1) Mike Wiens, Guitar, Steve Boggio, Drums, and Terry Copley, Bass (and the 'strings' are on finely wrought synthesizers).
Sit back and play this fine album repeatedly and re-visit the days of fine music in a respectful warm jazz beat! It is a must have! Grady Harp March 07
UM : RESILIENCE
RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
...............................................................................
D. OSCAR GROOMS....CRITIC
Please enter your comments?
February 3 2007
Media Alert: Catz In The Hatz featuring Steve Johnson Rhombus 7068 St. Date October 31 2006
CD Review: The Catz In The Hatz - Resilience 3/4
O's Notes: The ‘Catz’ started as three gentlemen who adapted to playing jazz to secure a gig. Mike Wiens (g) Steve Johnson (vocals & percussion) and Terry Copley (b) were eventually joined by Mike Cross (keyboards) and Steve Boggio (d) to blossom into a retro jazz band doing covers of classics. There are some vocals some instrumentals and a lot of good vibes from the cats wearing hats! Among our favorites are “Little Sunflower” and “Killer Joe”.
--
D. Oscar Groomes
O's Place Jazz Newsletter
http://www.OsPlaceJazz.com
...................................................................................................
ALBUM REVIEW
CELEBRITY CAFE.COM
The Catz in the Hatz - Resilience
- The Catz in the Hatz’s Resilience is a droll collection of jazzy tunes and Steve Johnson’s deep timbre brings a somber yet touching feeling to many of the album’s tracks. “Nature Boy” has percussion and dexterous scatting on Johnson’s part along with electric keyboard assistance from Mike Cross. “Into the Smooth” has a silky surge to it with Johnson remunerating thoughts of taking a gamble on love with such lines as “I’ve been to the smooth. I’m left in the groove. It’s all up to you which way we move. We can go deep and take a huge leap. I’m takin’ a chance let’s start this romance let’s go down into the smooth.” “Little Sunflower” has guitar work and sparkling percussion work which gives the song a breezy feel good sensation, and is a song listeners can picture hearing as they unfurl on a tropical island and forget all their cares. “Slow Down Jimmy” has fast-paced drumming that picks things up and shows the band’s chummy side as they gossip about a guy they all know. The Catz in the Hatz’s Resilience is an album that is tough to not relax and enjoy with its whimsical beats and tepid flows.
Reviewer: Sari N. Kent
...................................................................................................
ALBUM REVIEW
January 8 2007
Media Alert: Catz In The Hatz featuring Steve Johnson Rhombus 7068 St. Date October 31 2006
CD Review: http://www.ejazznews.com/
By John Gilbert
There are no morbid dirges on this album. The ballads are cool and the
jump tunes are swinging.
Steve Johnson sings his songs with passion and the group is clearly
inspired as they take us on a journey into the land of hip.
The catz in the hatz are: Steve Johnson vocals...Mike Wiens,
guitar..Mike Cross keyboards...Steve Boggio, drums and Terry Copley,
bass.
All of these catz 'er cats are playing for the pure joy of it and you
will bear witness to this upon a listen or two..
Take a trip with Steve and the boys you will not regret it.
4 Stars
.....................................................................................................................
ALBUM REVIEW
Catz in the Hatz Resilience (Rhombus RHO 7068)
Drummer turned singer Steve Johnson presents an attractive selection of songs new and old the latter category the majority all set in a decidedly contemporary mood. Steve is backed by guitarist Mike Wiens keyboard player Mike Cross bassist Terry Copley and drummer Steve Boggio and there is a lithely swinging feel to all that the band does. This is very much music for today but the harshness that sometimes affects contemporary pop is happily absent. Instead there is a rhythmic urgency that is always controlled and as a result creates an on-the-boil atmosphere. When Steve is not singing he returns to his percussive past with some nice touches. The familiar songs include 'Nature Boy' 'My Funny Valentine', 'Fever', 'One For My Baby' and 'Angel Eyes'. There are some originals by Steve, Mike W, Terry and others, and also the jazz standard 'Killer Joe' as well as Freddie Hubbard's 'Little Sunflower'. There is too, the odd surprise, such as Ludwig Van B's 'Für Elise'. Throughout there is an air that these guys (should that be guyz) are having fun and it is infectious. Altogether a very attractive set that deserves your attention.
Media Contact
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services
269 S Route 94 Warwick NY 10990
T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699
E-Mail: jazzpromo@earthlink.net
Web Site: www.jazzpromoservices.com/
...........................................................................................................
WAER
Please enter your comments?
Hey Terry,
Just wanted to let you know what a blast it was hearing your band for
the first time when we got the record here at WAER.
I hope other stations are jumping
on it like we did.
Can you get us one more copy if possible? Here is the address:
Eric Cohen - MD
WAER Radio
795 Ostrom Avenue
Syracuse NY 13244
Thanks so much!
Eric Cohen
WAER - Syracuse
....................................................................................................................
ROD COLEMAN...JAZZ REVIEWER
Please enter your comments?
THE CATZ IN THE HATZ " TAKE TWO" REVIEW.
THE LONG AWAITED ALBUM IS HERE...OR HEAR !
The hub-bub of this small town band is like peaks and valleys. in some circles outside the confines of big bear lake caLifornia the catz are known as the NEW direction of otherwise traditional jazz and in other circles in their own hometown people ask who they are. Some have never heard of them and then again...some have. The big question is does it qualify as mainstream or fusion? The answer is not an easy one for the 5 guys that DO have day jobs. Over the past year since the release of the locally and internet/commercial introduction of the catz in the hatz on a global level with their "take one" album ( a collection of club fav's that are still available at cdbaby) the catz have come very far as musicians and writters. this new album "take two" labled as the " counterpart " of "take one" is anything but. This album really captures the rock and roll foundation of this transformed band for most of its members and unlike the first,this album features more instrumentals than vocals proving that they are talented in both modes. From the swinging and comical SLOW DOWN JIMMY to GOD BLESSED AMERICA ( which could very well end up being the NEW americana tune of the new generation) this album is a delight for musicians and listeners. LOVER which is a jazz standard really shows the hyper-intensity if this group of five and features lighting fast guitar and a bass solo that is not heard of in the jazz realm.RIVIERA PARADISE (a stevie ray song) is done in a very haunting fashion and is well worth the 8 mins of song. FUIR ELISE is also another composition that is unheard of in the jazz realm. This song shows the imagination of pianist mike cross and an un-mistakable prelude of scarbouogh affair played on the fretless bass by terry copley...interesting though and with its swirling violins and tubular bells they make this song a wonderfull marriage of clasical,jazz and rock. Steve boggio holds all this mania together with his un-stoppable timing,flare and style.Mike weins and his guitar are master and slave that any aspiring guitarist and even some big shots..could take a lesson from and then there's steve johnson and with only a few in the heavyweight class of male baritone jazz johnson proves to be a contender.Terry copley has the bass duties in this band and does a fine job as a rocker tuned jazzer. his solos are unique if not downright STRANGE but this is what gives the catz their sound and a pleasent sound it is. So all in all i think this album is the answer or part of the answer to what can not just baby boomers...but kids and elderly alike can listen to in a world of repetitive music.Its no wonder that the catz have opened for both 3 DOG NIGHT and AMERICA because sometimes 15 mins of fame can happen to the un-discovered artist. the catz are about 5 mins into it.
ROD COLEMAN
INDEPENDANT JAZZ REVIEWER
BOSTON,MA.
RHOMBUS RECORDS " ONE SHEET" BIO
|
|
|
| |
THE CATZ IN THE HATZ
has 9 friend(s).
[ You have
6 Pending Friend(s) Click here ]
|
|
| | |
.JPG)
Purchase URL:
Add
Buy MP3
Buy CD
