The Catz In The Hatz

Dawn Wells, Gilligans island.
stage/tv actress. ..
Hi guys. I very much enjoyed your show a few weeks back in big bear lake and had to look you up on the net to say how much i enjoyed the show. I really miss that era of music that you play. It brings back fun memories for all of us in these trying and difficult times. thanks for bringing a smile to all of our faces that night. If I were still on the island, I would want you guys as the entertainment! LOL !
I hope to be back in big bear again soon and this time i will make it a point to say hi and thank you all in person.

SHIRLEY JONES...OSCAR WINNING ACTRESS/SINGER..........
" you guys are really terrific, full of talent and very entertaining to watch..they are sensational"!

POP 70'S GROUP....AMERICA..........
"YOU GUYS ARE GREAT TO LISTEN TOO...WE ARE NOW YOUR FANS"!!
The Catz in the Hatz opened for AMERICA july 30th 2005. POP 70'S GROUP ( triple gold and grammy winners) call the Catz in the Hatz " OUR NEW FREINDS" and invited the band onstage to perform their encore performance of HORSE WITH NO NAME...AMERICA endorsed the catz in front of the catz hometown crowd of 1500 people....thanks guys !

Bud Davis
drummer/ the Charlie Daniels band.....

We normally don't take in too many jazz clubs but we were really surprised at not only what we heard, but what we saw. its amazing that your not in L.A. or Vegas ...but that's a matter of time. thanks and once again, we were not prepared and we really surprised at how good you all are.

 SYLVIE HARRIS VP OF A/R, AMG MUSIC, NY.NY.
 "The catz have put fun into jazz! they have broken the barrier to the masses that usually dont listen to jazz, the Catz make jazz fun"

BLUE CANOE RECORDS....
"Your certainly accomplished musicians and have nice arrangements of the tunes in your EPK".

JAZZPOLICE.COM
" the catz in the hatz are the best kept jazz secret in southern California"

ALLEN SHAW ( vice president...BEASLEY BROADCASTING GROUP ( commercial radio broadcasting group with stations across the U.S.A.).....
.. the Catz in the Hatz is fresh, exciting and great musicianship...I have been listening to it for over a week now.


EDWARD JAMES OLMOS --- ACTOR............
"STEVE JOHNSON IS EXCELLENT. REMINDS ME OF TORME AND SINATRA"!!!!

JIM PIKE ( formerly of the David Letterman Show)....
Just wanted to let you guys know that you're fantastic! My brother ( also formerly of the Letterman Show) and our wives saw you 3 weeks ago and you really put on a show. I love the arrangements of the songs and the chord changes. Best of luck and we will see you again soon!


THE CATZ IN THE HATZ. ALMOST JAZZ..NOT QUITE ROCK.
WHO ARE THESE GUYS ??????
NEWS FROM AMERICAS FIRST " FUNJAZZ" BAND...
The catz are now getting radio play in Holland, Spain, Europe, New York and new Orleans, Canada, San Francisco, Los Angeles and on over hundreds of internet stations!!!


"SO WHAT IF YOU PUT FRANK SINATRA, MEL TORME, THE BLUES BROTHERS, WEATHER REPORT,AND GEORGE BENSON IN A BLENDER...WHAT WOULD YOU GET??? A BLOODY MESS OR THESES GUYS!!"


   Most of the members in this group have been playing rock and roll for the past 20 + and just recently made the jump to jazz. which make's their music that much more interesting. The Catz have opened for both three dog night and America.. as the bass player for the group, i can tell you that of the 43 working bands ive been in, this one is by far the best. we are all good friends and have known each other for years. on stage, it shows...we believe in not just giving a show ...but a circus.....if people just wanted to hear music, they would stay home and stare at the stereo..we don't do that..we have natural fun and in turn, so does our audience. we are just like any other indie group..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 friends 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 allowed to be creative...not like this..so if your interested to hear what ex rock and rollers sound like playing jazz, then check us out...one thing I've noticed....its a lot 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)

The Catz in The Hatz
A New World of Jazz From the Catz in the Hatz
Big Bear's Popular Jazz Band Breaking Out!


" TAKE ONE "
The Catz in the Hatz
Mike Foley, dream merchant magazine
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 styling's 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.  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 BLUES BROTHERS MEET FRANK SINATRA!!!!!!!!You've got to hear this band. jazzpolice.com call the Catz in the Hatz " the best kept jazz secret in southern California".