The Cat Pack

Five honking saxes. Four screaming trumpets. Four roaring trombones. A thundering rhythm section. Two dynamic guys and two gorgeous gals providing the vocals. One of the most entertaining nights you’re ever likely to witness featuring the very best in big band music both old and new.

Including a selection of new knock-out arrangements and compositions by The Cat Pack, it’s an overview of all the fantastic styles of this great musical genre delivered to you in a show you’ll never forget. You’ll experience some of the great swing numbers as originally performed by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. There’ll be the toe-tappin’ boogie woogie of the Jools Holland Rhythm’n'Blues Orchestra, the rock’n'roll of the Brian Setzer Orchestra and even rarely heard live renditions of some of the truly great movie soundtracks including James Bond and The Pink Panther. We even throw in a few surprises of unique showmanship into our act; all in all adding up to a dazzling night of jumpin’, jivin’, swingin’ tunes with a dynamic stage-show. There is NO other act like this on the circuit.

Robbie Williams and Pop Idol helped put Big Band music back on the map but we can guarantee you this – you ain’t seen nothing until you’ve seen The Cat Pack; the past, present and future of Big Band music.

“Don’t believe the hype? Well, maybe this time you should!”
The BBC music website.

“(They have) enough energy to power a small town in Albania!”
The Primrose Guide.

“For a swing band they rock! Classics from Sinatra and Elvis are interspersed with cuts from modern impresarios such as Jools Holland and some very tasty original pieces. It all makes for one amazingly intoxicating cocktail.”
Richard Garnett, The Leeds Music Scene Website.

“The place was heaving and everyone had a great time.”
Tony Collinson, The Horsforth Hop.

“Wow! What energy!”
Mark Nightingale, BBC.

“I can tell you that it’s the most powerful music that I have ever listened to in this genre.”
Cherokee Records, Germany

“It’s fantastic stuff! I think we need this great unique rockin’ sound nowadays here in the USA and elsewhere.”
Rollin’ Rock Records, USA

“When I first heard this CD, I wasn’t too sure if I liked it all, but after a few plays, not only do I like it, it’s gonna be coming on my hols with me. When I get back I’ll be checking out their gig list, I’ve just got to see them.”
Pete Green, Coventry Rock’n'Roll/Maggie’s Blue Suede News (UK).

“ ‘Everybody Wants To Be A Cat’ is their first release, displaying a dynamic blend of Swing and Rhythm & Blues with a Rockabilly kick. The Cat Pack are set to bring Big Band Swing to a whole new audience.”
Raucous Records.

“The Cat Pack prove that Big Band music is hip, in the same way that the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the Jools Holland Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Orchestra and even Robbie Williams have been doing in recent years.”
Nervous Records.

“The Cat Pack are a dangerous outfit. Dangerous because they are likely to blow the opposition away with their huge sound. If you are looking for an evening of jumping R’n'B to which you can dance the night away, then I suggest you get the Cat Pack booked up as soon as possible!”
Mike G, Putting On The Style website.

“Whether it’s a blasting tenor solo from one of the sax section, or a clattering boogie piano intro, or a rousing crescendo from the trombones, these guys, all reading from charts, know how to create excitement. Don’t miss them.”
Tony Watson, Blues ‘n’ Rhythm magazine.

“There are big bands and there are bigger bands but this fabulous CD has persuaded me that the Leeds-based Cat Pack are currently the biggest and the best. In taking the best of big band boogie, jump jive, r&b and swing, this band rocks and rolls like no other.”
Chris Woodford, Now Dig This magazine.

“Never have we enjoyed such a tremendous evening of talent and seen musicians enjoying a gig so much.”
R.Rogers (in a letter to the Yorkshire Post following our gig at the Leeds City Varieties).

Special thanks must go to the following for their roles in the unfolding story of The Cat Pack:

Bryan Davis, Vince Berkeley, Derek ‘Doc’ Saw, Dave Hargreaves, Jesse Bannister, Malcolm Strachan, Simon Kaylor, Damien Cooke, Paul Blackbourn, Alex Topman, Paul Baxter, Reuben Alldridge, Enrico Marchesi, Joel Purnell, Mike Close, Riaan Vosloo, Martyn Savage, Steve Wade, Sean Hollis, Lee Muncaster, Geoff Fongwah, Matt Ball, Gordon Kilroy, Nick Mills, Darren Midgeley, The Primrose (Leeds) & O.D.’s (Wakefield).

A true rockin’ guy through and through, Dave’s musical career has been most varied as you’d expect from most bass guitar/trombone doubling pro’s! On ‘bone, Dave has worked with notable artists such as Diane Schuur, McCoy Tyner and the Count Basie rhythm section. As a bassist, Dave currently plays in “Fuzz Gun Sniper” and is an ex-member of the controversial comedy rock outfit, “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Jazz!” Dave is also a freelance music journalist and has contributed many articles to local press.

As far as career options go, playing the trombone was maybe not the most sensible or financially rewarding for Howard, but by far the most enjoyable and productive! Howard plied his trade playing trombone with numerous brass bands, picking up on the self-discipline and motivation required in this ultra competitive world. He has recently played for the Knottingley Silver band after performing with many of the great Yorkshire bands. Howard also had a brief sojourn into the pop world playing with “Bill Sykes” and adding to his versatility he also performed regularly with Leeds Youth Opera. Howard’s other interests he tells us include “social drinking”, baking and curries; so now we all know where to plough back to after a gig!

An expert of New Orleans and Dixieland jazz, Andy joins us on his time out from band leader duties of the “Imperial Young Gentlemen’s Dance Orchestra”, a fabulous ensemble dedicated to authentic early 20th century swing music. Andy also works regularly as a freelance trombonist performing a variety of styles having recently completed his music degree at Leeds College of Music. He also even occasionally delves into the orchestral world for work, although as he mentions, “not that often!”. Andy began playing at an early age and among his earliest bands were, “The Modanaires Dance Orchestra” and “Mr. Swing”.

One of the old guard of the North’s music scene, the ever dependable Simon has been involved in just about everything any Trombone needy band has sought after. Through his enormous popularity and talent Simon has been called upon to perform as support alongside Latin stars Tito Puente, Tania Maria, Isaac Delgado and Roberto Pla on their jaunts to the UK and also with pop wonders Chumbawumba. He also toured Europe with Jamaican Ska legend Laurel Aitken. Locally, Simon has played with many sensational bands including, “Casa Latina All Stars”, “Little Chief”, “The Rhythmites”, “Embrace” and “Bugalu Foundation”. You can also currently find Simon gracing the midfield in Glenn Hoddle mode of many a Sunday league championship winning side!