RED CAT JAZZ CAFE NEWSLETTER by Red Cat Jazz Cafe

January 16, 2014

Red Cat Happenings WEEKLY LINEUP

2013 Holiday MICHAEL WARD & MARION MEADOWS

Valentine’s Weekend JEANETTE HARRIS RETURNS TO RED CAT

red cat upcoming events Tuesday Jam Session

Houston musicians coverge at the Red Cat for a powerful musical experience

Steak Night

Every Wednesday - Steak, Baked or Mash Potatoes, Salad and Drink Specials

Rewind Thursday Live Music and Spoken Word

Friday Night R & B

Live adult classic and contempory R & B

Saturday Jazz Dinner & Show Live Jazz Performamces served over dinner.

Sunday Brunch

Every Sunday 11AM - 3PM

Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

January 26th Latin Jazz

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711 Franklin Street Houston, TX 77002 713.226.7870

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Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

RED CAT JAZZ HOLIDAY WITH MARION MEADOWS A

STANDING ROOM ONLY MICHAEL WARD MARION MEADOWS

Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

AND MICHAEL WARD

A recap of our holiday jazz events at Red Cat

Red Cat Jazz Café closed out the holiday season of 2013 with the music of Marion Meadows and Michael Ward at the Red Cat’s intimate lounge setting in downtown Houston, 711 Franklin Street. Marion Meadows’ performed December 27th & 28th and Michael Ward took the stage December 31, 2013 to help ring in the New Year. Both artists perfromed to a standing room only house each night with New Orleans-style fare served.

Artist Profiles Marion Meadows Meadows was born in West Virginia and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. He began playing the clarinet and studying classical music at the age of eight. In high school, Meadows began to play the soprano saxophone and played tenor through most of his college years. His passion for music led him to appreciate the work of many jazz musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Duke Ellington. After studying jazz with Anthony Truglia, Meadows attended Berklee College of Music, where he majored in arranging and composition. He later went to the SUNY Purchase School for the Arts, where he studied under Ron Herder. During college, Meadows was with a band called the Aboriginal Music Society. Meadows was playing in Grand Central Station and Jay Chattaway who was working with Bob James at the time introduced himself and later signed Marion to his record label, TappanZee. Although Meadows’ first recording went unreleased, the experience of recording with Bob James put him on the road to his eventual success. Meadows collaborated up with numerous artists and musicians in the 80s, recording or performing over the years with Brook Benton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, Will Downing and Native American flute player Douglas Spotted Eagle, among others. Michael Ward Michael is a native of San Antonio, TX. He began playing music at a very early age, starting with piano playing, and attending band practice with his mother Carol Ward who is a Jazz vocalist. His fondest memories are listening to Clifford Scott “Honky Tonk” on sax and Frank Garrett on organ, and

hearing his mom sing all those great jazz standards. As a member of a family in which everybody sang, he enjoyed every minute of it, and wondered why his friends did not like this type of music. After entering the sixth grade, Michael enrolled in a string class to learn how to play piano and read music. Once enrolled, he learned that no piano lessons were offered and he must pick a stringed instrument. Throughout his junior high and high school years he tried many other instruments, but always went back to the violin. Upon entering Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, Michael decided to become a jazz guitarist because he saw no financial future with the violin. After one week in college his roommate asked if he had ever heard Noel Pointer or Jean luc Ponte. He had not, so his roommate handed him a tape, told him to check it out, and exited the room. After listening to the tapes, he knew immediately this was what he wanted to do. Once again he ended up with his violin. While studying in college with Mr. Alvin Batiste, Michael Joined a group called the 4am band and started working around town, mostly for fun and experience. After he left the group, he started his own band and began working in New Orleans. The fans who followed him for years found him working at Pampy’s, a small neighborhood bar where his band performed every Sunday, backing jazz singer Ed Perkins. He always felt as if the entire city of New Orleans was there. Michael has toured many cities in the United States and abroad. He has worked with many well-known musicians and played in the finest venues. His music has touched the hearts of many and has gained him the respect of his peers around the world. His fans grow in numbers after each of his performances, as does his love for his Violin and music, and his gratitude for the gifts that life has brought him.

For more information on upcoming events or for ticket purchases please visit our website www.redcatjazz.com.

Red Cat Holiday 2013

MARION MEADOWS

Marion Meadows CD Release Party boasts a sold out house for two nights December 27th & 28th at the Red Cat Jazz Cafe downtown Houston.

Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

NYE 2014

MICHAEL WARD

Jazz violinist and Texas native brings it home for the New Year with an intimate performance at Red Cat

Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

VA L E N T I N E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S WEEKEND

JEANETTE HARRIS

Friday and Saturday February 14 & 15 Dinner & Show Reservations Available Now

Jeanette Harris is the scintillating saxtress of smooth jazz. This lady understands that energetic and captivating performances matched with uplifting and inspiring vibrations in the music are the solid platinum recipe for success. Fans already recognize her for her wonderful cover of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” which hit Billboard’s smooth jazz singles chart from her previous album, Saxified. Classically trained in both sax and piano, a graduate of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music, and the saxophonist for the late, great Teena Marie’s final year of touring, Jeanette has weathered the fiercest challenges to bring the world her own brand of soulful healing vibes. That baptism awaits in her fourth CD, Summer Rain, on which Jeanette had a hand in writing all of the selections except her lovely cover of the Luther Vandross classic “Here and Now.” Its 11 sunny songs wrap the lis-

(Jeanette’s sassy melding of the word “jazz” with “delicious”), the radiant “Oh So Good” and the laidback groove “Chillin’.” “My rapper friends say they can really flow on that one,” Jeanette shares with a laugh. Extra special are the passionately building “Passing Time” (a song featuring keyboardist George Freeman that initially came to her - out of the blue - in the shower), the lusciously melodic “Just Keep Holding On” (one of two writing collaborations with the prolific Chuck Cymone), and the spicily syncopated “Muy Caliente’” – Jeanette’s maiden foray into Latin Groove on which she also plays some mean piano. Listen closely…ai cuidado! The love-at-first-sight scenario song/title track of Summer Rain showcases the vocals of Jeanette’s secret weapon

tener in the glow of fun love grooves and sweet romance. “The music of Summer Rain is all about a positive vibe,” Jeanette states. “It’s about staying in love…never falling out of love, feeling good, being faithful and always following a positive route. Great things have happened for me in the last year. I’ve learned what’s really important in life – my family and my music.” Those looking to hear Jeanette really dig in on her horn should focus on two songs that feature her friend Darrell Crooks on guitar. The first is the dreamy “Take Me There,” a sensual mellow groove that finds Jeanette layering her horn in subtle combinations that tease, tickle and mesmerize the ear. And then there’s “The Ride,” a techno groove that bumps into some truly heated interplay and exchange between Jeanette and Darrell that makes you want to see what all of that energy looks, sounds and feels like live on stage. Other highlights include the playful “Ja’licious”

singer Joel Bowers – math teacher by day, soul crooner by night. “One of my trademarks is writing a song for a vocalist then having the instrumental version on the same album,” she offers. “On my CD Saxified, I wrote the lyrics first for ‘You Can Dance’ then reworked it for my saxophone. I switched it up for ‘Summer Rain’ and wrote the music first, then the words. I wrote the lyrics with my mother and think it’s beautiful. It’s about a guy who sees a pretty lady in the rain and falls for her instantly. It’s important to remember those moments…especially when that person makes you angry! Reflect on that memory. You’ll be more humble and understanding.” Equally inspired, but in a completely different light is Summer Rain’s other vocal piece, “Thankful,” a heartfelt offering of gratitude sent up to Jesus in song. “It’s important to give thanks to The Lord,” she says. “‘Thankful’ came from my heart with lyrics that I truly feel deeply.” Red Cat Jazz Cafe www.redcatjazz.com

NOTES Customer Service Our patrons are very important to the success of Red Cat. We value your comments and suggenstions. Please note that we are open for business after 6PM Tuesday Saturday and Sunday 11AM-3PM. Phones are manned daily 11AM - 7PM. Feel free to email us at anytime. Sunday Brunch Reservations Groupon and Living Social Sunday Brunch reservations can be made online by visiting our website www.redcatjazz.com. Periodically there are cancellations or no shows. If your desired date of attendance is not available you may opt to be placed on a waitlist. Please be advised that we can not accept call in waitlist requests you must be present in order to gain a position. Groups lager than 10 are asked to call or email to confirm space reservation. 713.226.7870. Corporate/ Social / Private Events Have your Corporate or Social Event at the Red Cat Jazz Cafe The new Red Cat Jazz Café, located on Franklin Street is just one block north of the original location and features a more sophisticated, lounge vibe. Its’ New York-style jazz club feel makes it versatile

JAN SANDLES Bringing the WOW ecperience to Red Cat 711 Franklin Street Houston, TX 77002 713.226.7870

backdrop for private or corporate events. From day meetings to Happy Hour Mixers to fundraisers or evening buyouts the Red Cat Jazz Cafe is a perfect alternative for corporate and non-profit entities. We also offer rental opportunities for individual celebrations such as birthdays, bridal and baby showers, engagement and anniversary parties as well as wedding receptions at an affordable rate. Our partnering Chefs are also available to prepare a special menu suited to your event.