According to the online urban dictionary a “Jive Cat” is “not the ordinary
person you or your homeboys would hang out with”. And what has a less jiving,
less hip and less swinging reputation than a “German Jazz Cat” anyway? – Well,
Jive Katze is not your ordinary Jazz band.
Jive Katze is the newest addition to the diverse Charlottesville music scene.
They combine the vocal Jazz in the tradition of Billy Holliday and Ella
Fitzgerald with contemporary forms and concepts influenced by Brad Mehldau,
Kenny Werner and Kevin Hays.
Jenn Rhubright’s intimate
renditions of Jazz classics meet the sensitive and versatile playing of German
born pianist Gerrit Roessler.
Jenn contributes her unorthodox approach to music as well as her vast experience
with rock and pop from her nationally acclaimed bands
Clare Quilty and
The Dirty Dishes. Gerrit on the
other hand has a background as a formally trained Jazz musician and paid his
dues playing mostly in Europe with his award winning band Mars Attacks but also
frequently in the US.
It is the difference, even the artistic tension that makes their project so
interesting: Sometimes only subtly and carefully altering the divine masters,
sometimes overhauling them drastically to create something entirely new.
Although they are not a retro-Jazz band that attempts to re-enact an alleged
golden past they are respectfully aware of the vast tradition of vocal Jazz and
are trying to translate it into the world of today. The result is an intimate
and energetic performance that is strongly shared by the audience during their
performances.
Although Jive Katze is conceptualized as a duo, Jenn and Gerrit are frequently
backed up by Bassist David Cosper
from South Carolina and Drummer
Granville Mullings from New York.
Jive Katze is not in it for the money. They play for their love of music. That
is why they decided to support a non-profit organization that is dedicated “to
revitalizing the music and cultural community within the neighbourhoods of New
Orleans by helping its tradition bearers return to and stay at home.” By
financially and actively engaging with
Sweet Home New Orleans, Jive
Katze feel they are reaching out to a vast musical tradition and heritage on
more than the mere artistic level.
Well we've both got gigs on the 5th, but then you on the 18th (i can catch) and i've got another on the 21st. Hope we get to see the new projects soon! New photos here are fabulous. Jenn does eye liner. ;-)
