The Cat Pack

More info when he tells us it!!

More info when he tells us it!!

One of the fabulous new talents to be emerging out of the world famous jazz orientated Leeds College of Music, Tom is already busy establishing himself as one of the areas most in demand lead and soloist trumpeters. Under the expert guidance of Al Wood, Tom is already perching himself in the principal chairs of several local big bands as well as of course one of the key roles in The Cat Pack. A keen big band fan through and through, Tom’s credits so far include Dennis Rollins, Mark White, Ian West and the BBC Big Band.

One of the finest lead trumpet players around, Mark’s talents have been called upon by a variety of noteworthy acts. In the past Mark has played for Bucks Fizz, The 3 Degrees, The Drifters and Motown giants, The Supremes. His first love being big bands, Mark has also taken up the lead trumpet chairs in NYJO, The Mike Gilby Jazz Orchestra and The Voice of the North Big Band. Having travelled much of the world working on cruise ships also, Mark now lives and works in the Newcastle area providing the fire in several great northern big bands.

Info coming soon… In the meantime, please visit JimCorry.com.

Followers of the North’s music scene will need no introduction to the most chilled Scotsman of them all. Ath (as he’s more affectionately known) is another stalwart of the funk circuit and can be seen regularly doing his thing with “The Haggis Horns”, “The Future Shock” (Acid Jazz Records) and “Snowblind”. He has also chalked up session work for “Odyssey” and on TV for “Fat Friends” and “The Naked Jungle” (er, on the music side!). Over summer 2002, Ath could also be seen performing with “The Mossiders” on the Commonwealth Games official theme song, “One Nation Under A Groove”.

A consummate pro and solid all rounder, Don’s credits include touring in the national theatre production rock’n'roll show, “Rave On”, “The Rockin’ Berries” and with Terry Webster, the originator of Jive Bunny. He is the leader of his own fusion outfit, “Enfused” and he also works regularly with soul band, “Instant Replay”. Also, ladies; he’s tall, handsome, Irish, charming, witty, talented, a top guy, an ex-marine, drives a BMW and available! Please visit his website (er, generally, not just women!) at www.dondonnelly.co.uk.

Little sis to bandleader Richard, Helen decided it may be wiser to go into the business side of the music industry (no doubt after seeing the seedy nature of the performing side from big bro!) and currently works in the back-catalogue/compilations department for EMI. Helen still plays regularly in various rhythm’n'blues / rock’n'roll bands and has in the past recorded at Paul McCartney’s LIPA studio, performed at the Royal Albert Hall and toured Europe. Her current “mission” is naturally reminding all the people at EMI how ace The Cat Pack are… on a regular basis!

After studying in far away places like Germany, France, Austria, Croatia and Bosnia, Hannah became a graduate of Leeds College of Music recently. Hannah is one of the leading performers on the Leeds jazz circuit and she is also bandleader of her own quartet. She is very familiar with the big band style after playing lead alto in the fabulous “Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra” directed by top arranger, Tony Faulkner. Hannah is also a featured soloist on the Pack’s version of the great Gene Krupa number, “Boogie Blues”, available on our demo.

The driving force behind The Cat Pack, Paul is one of the North’s most in demand session players being called upon to provide the beat behind many notable artists including ex Temptations backing singer Charlie Jene, Detrimental, ex James Brown sideman “Menace” and is currently working with former Courtney Pine sideman Kwame Yeboah in the new and happening “E2K”. A dynamic performer heavily influenced by the infectious rhythms of the New Orleans street parades, Paul is also co-leader of the highly imaginative pop outfit, “Gwilo” whose current recorded material is causing sensational acclaim amongst the record industry at the present time. The storming drum duet between Paul and Richard in the Pack’s act is just one of many astounding features the bands’ show has to offer.

As every bass player should be, Nigel is one of the coolest cats around. His C.V. reads equally as cool, as credits with Mica Paris, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Phil Woods, Jim Mullen, Tina May, Bruce Adams, Mark Murphy, Alan Skidmore, Spike Robinson, Mark Hill (“Artful Dodger”), Ben Castle and Roy Williams indicate! Another ever reliable stalwart of the North’s music scene, Nigel also is the author of the highly informative website, www.jazzinleeds.co.uk. You can also visit him at his personal website, www.nigelslee.co.uk.

On the rhythm’n'blues/rock’n'roll & swing scenes, Richard made a name for himself playing drums & piano for the sensational, “Phil Haley & His Comments” (Europe’s No.1 tribute act), headlining many major festivals in Europe & Scandinavia and appearing on the Preston Records (Australia) release, “Everybody Needs To Rock”. More recently he has been the manic ivory tinkler in the UK’s current top jump blues outfit, “The Big Heat” and skin basher for rock’n'roll/rockabilly trios, “The Cathouse Creepers” and “The Gone Daddies”. In a varied career amongst much musical madness, Richard also found himself bashing bongos in samba band “Chocante”, tonking timpani under the batons of Sir Neville Marriner & Ron Goodwin in symphony orchestras, tickling triangles for the panto fairies, tutoring tomorrows drummers at York University and even a spell as principal batterer for the world famous “Black Dyke Mills” Brass Band! Previously Richard also worked as a freelance musician for artists such as Joe Longthorne, The Drifters and Bucks Fizz, and also for several cruise ships, theatre shows and summer seasons. His first love of all things jumpin’n'jivin’ brought him to form The Cat Pack.

Eliza has been singing professionally now for almost ten years. A dynamic, stunning performer with a highly charged delivery, she began singing and dancing in several touring theatre productions before getting the fabulous opportunity of performing as a backing singer for Lorraine Crosby (of Meatloaf’s, “I Would Do Anything For Love” fame). Here she developed her stagecraft under expert watchful eyes whilst touring almost every corner of the country (and at the same time indulging in an enormous passion for the rock’n'roll lifestyle!). Eliza currently works as a freelance singer / dancer and has been called upon to work in many resident summer season bands and also at LaManga Golf Club, amongst many other exotic places. She has also been support for Freddie Starr during the 2003 Blackpool North Pier summer season. A huge big band fan, expect Eliza to deliver many powerhouse numbers from the songbooks of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Liza Minelli.

One of the highlights of the Pack’s show is the dynamic contrast we have to offer musically; the main contributor to this is Joy Lorraine. Not only will you hear her performing classic swing tunes with the full band, but you will also hear Lorraine’s beautiful sweet, evocative voice sing jazz-tinged favourites such as “Cry Me A River” and “Fever” in the dimly lit, late night blues feel segment of the act (in a 3-piece surrounding of just guitar, bass and voice). Lorraine began singing and performing at a very early age influenced enormously by her inspirational father who was a very keen jazz musician. A huge fan of artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, she went on to sing with many bands, particularly performing the highly eclectic concept of singing old jazz numbers with various new and authentic latin based grooves and accompaniments.

After leaving Warner Holidays as a singer Lisa worked with the National Youth Theatre, before going on to read theatre studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she won the singing scholarship for three years running. Since graduating in 1995 Lisa has toured with Lily Savage in the No.1 UK Tour of “Prisoner Cell Block H-The Musical”, the Dusty Springfield tribute show “I only want to be with you”, appeared alongside Jimmy Cricket in “Cinderella”, worked with M6 Theatre Company in “Daydream Believer”, appeared in “Life on Mars” at the Riverside Studios, London, toured as Tammy Wynette in “The Queens of Country”, played Pauline Cain in The Torch Theatre’s Production of “One For the Road” and produced, directed and appeared in “An Evening with Kander and Ebb”.

Television roles include: Casualty, City Central, Cops, Roger Roger, My Summer with Des, Coronation Street, Olivers Travels, Manhunt, Children’s Ward and Holding the Baby.
In film her work includes “The Two Noras” and “Non Compos Mentis” and Lisa also played the lead role in the radio version of “The Handmaiden’s Tale” by Margaret Attwood.
Lisa has also recorded backing vocals with The Stranglers on their “Coup de Grace” album and recorded a demo song for a producer in Nashville. As well as recording, Lisa also sings with a 13-piece Soul band which tours nationally.

Most recently Lisa appeared alongside Michelle Collins in the New Years Eve premier screening of the B.A.F.T.A. nominated television adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s “The Illustrated Mum”, playing the role of Miss Hill.

Lisa is delighted to be working with the Cat Pack and can’t wait to sing the songs of her idol, Miss Rhythm, Ruth Brown.

Mr. Rock’n'Roll. The wild, manic, crazy, yet ultra cool guitarist / singer of the Pack first came to prominence in the 80s as wunderkind guitarist / lead singer with top rockabilly trio, “The Juvies”. Signed to legendary label, Rage Records, “The Juvies” exploded on the renaissance rockin’ scene with their energetic hot’n’sweaty shows at venues such as the famous Marquee Club and were creating rave reviews among the leading music press, including NME. Sharing billing with the likes of “Restless” and “The Meteors”, their debut album (mostly written by Darren), “Playin’ Hookie” was described as “the new hope on the rockin’ scene” by Crazy News (France). After the band split in 1992, Darren continued working in many bands touring the UK and Europe and was also rapidly gaining a reputation as being “top slapper (!)” for his incredible bass playing. A very talented composer, Darren also started writing for the big band genre heavily influenced by “The Brian Setzer Orchestra”.