"Chicago Catz"

The Chicago Catz are one of the Windy City's best kept secrets and treasures. For more than 21 years, this group of professional musicians have performed at some of the most prestigious private parties and events in Chicago. "High society hors d'oeuvre music", you're thinking. To the contrary, The Chicago Catz serve up and dish out the hottest "get out of your seat and dance" music in town! --"Ain't Nothin' But A Party"--This music group is a Chicago, Illinois area cover band that was formed in 1986 by five noteworthy musicians. Approaching their third decade, "The Catz", as they are affectionately known by their fans, have become one of ChiTown's most established professional R&B pop music bands. This group of professional musicians have performed at some of the most prestigious private parties and events in Chicago...including President Obama's Chicago-based Inauguration Party and the band appeared in the Kevin Costner movie "The Gaurdian". --Band History--During the late 70's and early 80's there were three hugely successful local bands in Chicago: R&B group "Third Rail" (later known as "Maxx Traxx"), Ska band "Heavy Manners", and blues act "Big Twist & the Mellow Fellows". Each band sold out night clubs, played college concerts and put out albums of original music. By day, the musicians were respected studio/session players. Jingle houses and album producers were always putting out the call for "those cats from Chicago". The stress from the "let's make records" grind and the competition from session work was enormous. Several of the guys from the three groups were longtime friends and had similar musical tastes, namely Richard "Richie" Peter Davis, Anthony "Downtown Tony" Brown, Wayne Stewart, Brian Danzy (pianist/keyboardist for the world-renowned Staples Singers, Lou Rawls, Patti Labelle, Anita Baker, Art Porter, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Nick Colionne) and Johnny Britt currently the Temptations' touring music director. These musicians grew up listening to R&B pop music. They thought that it would be fun to put together a high energy R&B pop dance band as a side project. It would create a nice change of pace from their daily business pressures and give them the opportunity to play together. Through their contacts, they knew they could pick up some club dates and "let their hair down" playing songs made famous by the likes of Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and other greats of the Motown era.The musicians got together after their sessions and rehearsed for several months until the music was tight. During this time, word got out that the new band had formed. At their first appearance, devoted fans of former bands that these musicians had previous membership in, such as "Third Rail", "Maxx Traxx", "Heavy Manners" and "Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows", attended in large numbers. This resulted in the new band's instant success. "The Catz" primarily perform now at wedding, corporate, private and special events. They still play occasional club dates.--Band Members--The band currently comprises professional musicians Richard "Richie" Peter Davis on lead and rhythm guitar, Anthony "Downtown Tony" Brown on bass guitar and vocals, Wayne Stewart on drums and vocals, Kevin Smith on keyboards and vocals, Mark Ohlsen on trumpet, Devin Thompson on vocals, Josie Aiello on lead and background vocals, James A. Perkins, Jr. on saxophone and woodwinds, Tony "Toca" Carpenter on percussion, and David Gross on trombone.--External Links--Official Chicago Catz Websitehttp://www.chicagocatz.com/Official Chicago Catz MySpace Pagehttp://www.myspace.com/chicagocatz Official Chicago Catz FaceBook Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-CHICAGO-CATZ/92014294499Official Chicago Catz YouTube Channelhttp://www.youtube.com/user/chicagocatzOfficial Chicago Catz Bloghttp://chicagocatz.blogspot.com/