The Calico Jazz Cats
A Classic Acoustic Jazz Quintet Covering Over 100 Years of Jazz & Pop, Based in Dallas-Ft. Worth
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- Classy and elegant while also fun and entertaining, with a classic acoustic jazz combo sound.
- Wide and extensive repertoire to fit your unique tastes and/or event theme: over 100 years of jazz and popular music to choose from (1920's to today)!
- No awkward silences: we come prepared with well-balanced set lists (list of songs to play, in order) and pre-set arrangements to keep the momentum moving forward.
- Appropriate balance & sound levels: we bring our own professional audio engineer and sound equipment to ensure proper balance and sound levels for your event and venue.
The Calico Jazz Cats has a traditional acoustic sound perfect for smaller venues, more laid-back events, or elegant dinners and cocktail hours. But make no mistake: this band has style. Don't expect them to be mere wallflowers! They are the perfect mix of classy & elegant with fun & entertaining.
"...we loved it from the moment they started until the very last song. We were like this đ, and many of our guests also commented that The [Calico] Jazz Cats was brilliant!" (translated from Spanish.)
âItalia Alvarado
Highly Customizable Repertoire: A Wide Range Of Themes, And Pretty Much Any Song, Can Be Accommodated
The Calico Jazz Catsâas its name might suggestâit is the most versatile and accommodating of our ensembles, with a wide and extensive repertoire made up of a mix of classic jazz standards of the 20s - 60s, pop songs of every decade arranged in an elegant jazz style, and other fun and entertaining repertoire, such as a selection of Disney songs, including our favorite: Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat!
If you have no particular preferences, we will arrive with well-balanced set lists to provide variety and a little something for everyone. But we can tailor our repertoire selection to fit your preferred "vibe," or the theme for your event, such as...
- 1920s "Jazz Age"
- 1940s or "Swing"
- Crooner Songs
- Love Songs (and plenty of them!)
- Smoky Jazz Club
- Vintage Pop (Songs from every decade re-arranged in a classic jazz style.)
- Latin repertoire
- Disney songs, and other songs for kids (or kids-at-heart!)
- Christmas & Holiday
- Artist Repertoire (such as Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, or you name the artist!)
We can also accommodate just about any song request you may have, even if it is outside of our standard repertoire (for a modest arranging fee). That means your event will be uniquely tailored for you, not a one-size-fits-all performance.
We're Jazz Musicians, But We Don't Just "Wing-It."
Are you concerned about...
- Hiring a band that turns out to be a little boring or uninspiring, fails to create a memorable experience, or every song starts to sound the same after a while?
- Having too much awkward silence between songs?
- Hiring a band that's just "more of the same" of what you hear at other events, and doesn't offer anything unique or different?
Hi, I'm Aaron Stanley, the creator, arranger, bandleader, and (usually) trumpeter for the Calico Jazz Cats. Many bands of this type are, quite frankly, a little boring and uninspiringâusually because the musicians aren't putting enough focus on the audience experience and are just "winging it." In my experienceâeven as a jazz musician accustomed to improvisingâif you completely "wing it," you usually get "wing-it" results.
That's why I work hard to select the best repertoire, create interesting and unique arrangements, and hire amazing performers who love the music. Here's what else you can expect...
- No awkward silences: we come prepared with a well-balanced set list (list of songs to play, in order) to avoid the inevitable 3-minute discussions between each song about what song we'll play next and how to play it.
- More of your favorite songs per set: In addition to being more organized with our set lists, we do shorter, more compact arrangements so you can hear more of your favorite songs per set. (Plus, we aren't limited to our repertoire list. Since I'm a professional arranger, we can play a thrilling version of pretty much any song you want to hear for a modest arranging/rehearsal fee.)
- Professional Quality Sound. In addition to our talented musiciansâeach of whom are artists in their own rightâI've learned from experience that bringing my own professional audio engineer and equipment is critical to ensuring the band always sounds great, is properly balanced, EQ'd properly, and that the sound levels are appropriate for the event. (This is something many other bands of this type don't put enough focus on.)
- Professional vibes. We take seriously the importance of showing up on time, being dressed appropriately for the event, being ready to entertain, and also refraining from alcohol while we're working.
All the above helps insure the best possible experience for everyone involved, from the event planner to the guests. Let the Calico Jazz Cats put your mind at ease and create an unforgettable vintage style experience!
Selected Repertoire of the Calico Jazz Cats:
The list below is far from comprehensive, and focuses more on the vocal standards of the Great American Songbook rather than the abundance of instrumental jazz standards, though pretty much any jazz standard is possible for no extra charge. We just love playing jazz!
Any song outside of the standard jazz repertoire that is not listed here can be presented at your event for an extra arranging/rehearsal fee. That means the potential repertoire is virtually unlimited!
How To Book The Calico Jazz Catsâ
Step 1: Fill out the form below to inquire about availability & get a quote.
Step 2: Book the band. If we're available, and a good fit, a signed Performance Agreement with a 50% deposit will secure the band for your event. The final balance is due 7 days prior to the event.
Step 3: Plan the musical details using our easy-to-use online portal. We'll stay in touch as the event approaches to ensure you and your guests have an unforgettable vintage musical experience. On the portal, you'll be able to see the same information our band members see regarding the event schedule and repertoire selection. If you prefer to have us choose the repertoire, we will arrive with well-balanced set lists with a little something for everyone.