Jazz music is an integral part of these dances. This is why at Cat’s Corner, we make sure to play the most inspiring songs for our dancers. We also support today’s Jazz Bands, and keep ourselves apprised of the latest finds in the world of Jazz. Dance feels most authentic when accompanied by live music. We encourage our students to go out dancing at venues that feature musicians whenever possible! Through our various events and activities, we have been fortunate enough to welcome such inspiring bands as Gordon Webster & His Syncopators (from Seattle), and the Early Jazz Band, Colin Perry and manouche jazz greats Swing Rencontre (from Montreal) among many others. Impromptu jams also happen from time to time during our regular nights. If you’d be interested in performing at Cat’s, please contact aleix@catscorner.ca

Here are some of the great vintage and contemporary Jazz bands you will hear at Cat’s Corner:

    • Contemporary Jazz Bands:
      Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators, the Boilermaker Jazz Band, Jonathan Stout and his Campus 5, Gordon Webster, Casey McGill, the Careless Lovers, the Cangelosi Cards, etc.
    • Vintage Jazz Bands:
      The Count Basie orchestra, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Jimmie Lunceford, Teddy Wilson, Ben Webster, Fats Waller, Roy Elridge, Slim & Slam, Willie Bryant, Earl Hines, Charlie Christian, Wingy Malone, etc.
    • Current Hot Jazz/Early Jazz/Dixieland bands:
      Tuba Skinny, the Palmetto Bug Stompers, the New Orleans Moonshiners, Meschiya Lake and the Lil’ Big Horn, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Smoking Time Jazz Club, the Baby Soda Jazz Band, the Magic Shookheads, the Rhythm Junkies, etc.
    • Vintage Hot Jazz/Early Jazz/Dixieland bands:
      Early recordings of Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Noone, Sidney Bechet, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band, etc.

Twice a month, we host a Blues Night:

B.B. King, Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, Albert King, Allen Toussaint, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Taj Mahal, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Junior Wells, Hugh Laurie, Big Mama Thronton, Fruteland Jackson, etc.

From time to time, you might also hear these types of music as well:

Gypsy Jazz/ Jazz Manouche :

Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, Bireli Lagrène, Rosenberg Trio, etc.

 Soul/Motown :

Etta James, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Jackson Five, etc.

Boogie-Woogie, Rock’n roll and 50’s/60’s Rockabilly:

Joe Turner, Johnny Otis, Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley, Wynonie Harris, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, etc.

 

Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators from Seattle at Cat’s Corner in November 2011.

Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators at Cat's Corner

Gordon Webster at Cat’s Corner in Octobre 2011 during our 13th anniversary celebration.

Gordon Webster at Cat's Corner in Montreal during CCX 2011