Artist description A hip, fun jazz ensemble, The Retro Jazz Kats are fronted by Atlanta's favorite jazz singer, Gwen Hughes (as voted by Creative Loafing magazine in October,2000). The band is the traditional blend of upright bass, hepcat cool, with a tight horn section that includes the Southeast's top session players and performers. The mission of the band in every performance is making jazz accessible for anyone, not just the purists. As such, each performance (and each recording) is filled with unpredictable comedy and sly surprises, while the musicianship remains top-notch. As stated in The Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Gwen Hughes was swinging before swinging got cool..." and each performance is a freewheeling flight into what makes jazz so exciting and inspiring.

Music Style Jazz/Pop

Musical Influences Dee Dee Bridgewater!!! Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole

Similar Artists Holly Cole and Cassadra Wilson influence arrangement ideas...we are a wacky mix of old (Ella,. Sarah, Peggy) and new, fun jazz interpretation (Dee Dee, Diana Krall, Harry Connick).

Artist History Founded in 1997 to coincide with the release of Gwen's Grammy-recognized CD, Torch Life, Gwen Hughes & The Retro Jazz Kats gig extensively, from three to seven times a week, sometimes a trio, sometimes a 10 pc big band. They held a year-long stsint at Sambuca Jazz Cafe, the house "swing" band, and are regularly featured at all the major festivals and jazz rooms around the Southeast. Now, Gwen has begun her personal global invasion, playing in such diverse locales as Istanbul, Turkey -- Paris, France -- Prague, Czech Republic -- with upcoming tour dates still to be scheduled in Germany, Switzerland and the UK. Gwen has released 2 more albums: the original songwriter's gem, "Lost and Found," followed by "The Misplaced Martini," which goes into national radioplay in the summer of 2003.

Group Members Gwen Hughes (vocals, songwriter, piano); Bill Wilson,Arthur Turner,Gary Motley (piano); Neal Starkey,Brian Hall, Ramon Pooser(bass);Forrest Robinson, Woody Williams, Paul Fallat, Sean O'Rourke (drums); Steve Cunningham, Martay Berning (guitar); Sam Skelton, Nick Longo, Eric South (saxophones); Ken Gregory, Joe Gransden (trumpet); Bob Lewis, Wes Funderburk (trombone).

Instruments (Mixed and matched depending on venue or event): Piano, acoustic bass, drums, guitar, sax, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, steel guitar, congas, dobro.

Albums Torch Life (1997) Lost and Found (2001) The Misplaced Martini (live album, 2001), featured vocalist on Jimmy Olsen's 2003 release,

Press Reviews "A gleaming new treasure." Creative Loafing, Atlanta""To say that Gwen Hughes has a powerful voice is putting it mildly" Chareslton's Free Time"A great make-out CD." WNNX-FM (99X)"There's no denying the people's love for this golden-throated chateuse." Creative Loaing's "Reader's Pick" for "Best Jazz Artist" 2000 and 2002" "Full throated sound...reminds of Sheila Jordan..." Cadence"Warm readings of jazz standards and pop classics." Atl Journal Constitution

Additional Info Gwen wrote the music for the wildly funny mockumentary, "We Three Kings," plus music for theatre and TV pilots. Gwen also wrote and produced the one-woman show, "Like Light," a hit @ Seven Stages Theatre in Atlanta. That husky voice "on hold" may be hers, too, so listen close the next time you're waiting for someone to get on the line!

Location Atlanta, Georgia - USA

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