JIVE CATS BIOGRAPHY
The Jive Cats were formed in 1989 and have since enjoyed many successful years performing a mixture of Jump Jive and Boogie Woogie. They have now established themselves as one of the UK's top bands on the London Rock 'n' Roll dance circuit and have won many new fans both at home and abroad following their successful appearances at Blues Festivals, Rock 'n' Roll weekends, European Jazz Festivals and various private functions both in the UK and overseas. The band has also provided musical support for many visiting American Rock 'n' Roll / Rhythm & Blues artists such as Lavern Baker , The Del Vikings , The Spaniels, Nappy Brown & The Five Discs
Over the years, the Jive Cats have spent a great deal of time in Europe, performing regularly at a well-known Jazz Club in Paris's Latin Quarter, and have also been a featured attraction at many Festivals including the Eindhoven Jazz Festival in Holland. The band's debut appearance at the prestigious International Cork Jazz Festival in 1994 was so well received that they are now a regular feature . Other European performances include gigs in Belgium , Denmark , Germany, Holland & Norway.
The Jive Cats have worked with top Lindy Hop dance troupe "Zoots & Spangles" which lead to a series of popular theatre-based stage shows in the style of "Five Guys Named Moe" including a 25-date tour of Europe visiting Luxembourg, Austria & Germany. The band took part in a highly successful promotional tour for Tennents Extra Lager and this has lead to Nation-wide exposure for the band.
TELEVISION APPEARANCES
The Jive Cats were filmed by CHANNEL 4 for the series "Classic Cars" which has been broadcast on terrestrial and satellite tv several times.
The bands version of Rocketship to the Moon was featured, along with an interview with Flo about her passion for 50's automobiles
In June 1999 the satellite channel CNN caught the Jive Cats in action at
Zoot Suit Riot , at The Empire Rooms, Tottenham Court Road, London . The programme was transmitted in CNN's "Inside Europe" slot and was broadcast world wide. The show covered the London Swing Scene, the dancers and bands (with the Jive Cats being heavily featured)
In February 2001 the BBC filmed the Jive Cats performance at The Royal Festival Hall in London. Part of this performance was included in "The Peoples Place", a documentary celebrating the buildings 50th anniversary which was broadcast on BBC 2 in May 2001
RECORDINGS
The Jive Cats have recorded a 10-track cassette which is available to purchase at gigs, demand has been so great that the tape is now on it's tenth pressing! As a result of this, the band will shortly be recording a number of tracks which will feature on a 14 -track compact disc which will be released on their own SOPHISTI-CAT label.
Fans can also check out two tracks, "My Natural Man" and "Rock Me To Sleep" on the POLLYTONE Compact Disc " Swing, Jive & Doo-Wop" (PEPCD114)
" The JIVE CATS are one of the country's top performing bands on the London Rock 'n' Roll dance circuit..." Daily Mirror.
"...fronted by the lovely Flo on vocals and featuring a all-hot and rocking line up, this is a band to watch..." Farnham Maltings.
"The JIVE CATS, with a rhythm section that could power a steam train, have built up a fanatical following, a rocking good time guaranteed..." Coventry Jazz Festival.
"...one of the UK's premier exponents of 1940's /1950's dance sounds." Cork Jazz Festival
