The Cat Pack

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!

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”. Please visit his website 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.

The Cat Pack’s band leader and musical director draws his experience from a wide-ranging musical background. 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” 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 rockabilly trio, “The Cathouse Creepers”, supporting the Stray Cats at Brixton Academy and Manchester Apollo in 2004 and being featured on their hard-hitting debut release on Raucous Records, “Fast Lane”. 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! Not to mention too he is also currently a drums/percussion music examiner for Trinity-Guildhall. 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. Recently Richard has been freelancing with the “Elvis Collection”, “Counterfeit Crickets”, “Moonlight Serenade Orchestra” and “Diamond Story” theatre shows and most notably has been touring with teenage singing sensation, Peter Grant who is currently undergoing nationwide promotion of his debut album on Universal Records, “New Vintage”. Following the recording of the DVD, “Joe Longthorne Live / Sunday Night at the Palladium” and tour early 2006, Richard is now gearing up for another tour with Joe in early 2007. His first love of all things jumpin’n'jivin’ however brought him to form The Cat Pack in 2002 and he is still loving every minute of the mighty fun-loving music making machine!

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.