Local
band jazzes up coffeehouse
Lee Kauftheil
Contributing Writer
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Sarah Nelson Mesa
Legend
|
| Trey DeCamp(keyboard) and
Paul Norris (bass) jam during the Scuba Kats performance at
the Jazzland cafe. |
The Scuba Kats, a band born at MCC and composed of students who
enjoy performing jazz, blues and other music from the ‘30s
through the ‘60s, gave a free performance at the Jazzland
Cyber Café April 8.
The band started last year and is managed by Kristine Makris, who
also teaches music, business and humanities. Since then, the band
has played numerous venues that include clubs, coffee shops and
retirement homes. They have also played for college events.
Makris said one of the group’s primary roles is to be ambassadors
to the community. When they go out and perform, they show what the
largest music department at the largest community college can do.
“I have not found another group that is self-contained completely,”
she added.
The students get together every Thursday night to practice and rehearse.
They also take care of every aspect of the band from promotion and
bookings to the being the talent that draws the crowds.
Each member of the band picks three to five songs to perform. Makris
said currently the band has a catalogue of 75 songs from this semester
and previous semesters and that it is growing all the time. Primarily,
the band plays blues, jazz and vintage pop music from the ‘30s
through the ‘60s. Makris said the band plays these songs to
preserve the sounds and hopefully create an interest.
Originally the band was scheduled to play the Jazzland last year,
but it had to be cancelled because of conflicting schedules.
 |
Sarah Nelson Mesa
Legend
|
| John Orkiseski(drums) and Tom Kusek(guitar) perform during
the concert in Jazzland Cafe on April 8. |
George Benton, who manages the Jazzland Café, said he wanted
to have the band there because he had heard their previous recordings
and enjoyed their sound. He was happy to host the band because of
the increase of customers. He also wanted to support the group because
they represent MCC.
Four instrumentalists and five vocalists, plus their mascot Arlin,
vocalist Sarah Outwater’s seeing-eye dog, make up the band.
Each vocalist sings in a different style, ranging from deep and
sultry to poppy and excited. Darryl Cotecson, the only male vocalist
in the group, said the singers’ styles are reflections of
their personalities.
The performance started with Outwater’s performance. After
that, each vocalist went up separately and performed.
The audience was pleased with the performance of the group. James
Gotah said he enjoyed the performance and particularly enjoyed Trey
DeCamp on the keyboard and his co-worker Tom Kusek on guitar. Ronda
Barnes, a Jazzland employee, said out of the all the acts that had
performed there, the Kats were one of the best. “I had no
idea they were completely student-run, I think that is awesome”
Barnes said.
One of the things Barnes enjoyed most was the way the musicians
played together. She said they were cohesive and played well together.
She also said the vocalists had their own styles and that she would
attend another show. Lori Stevens said she was on her way to the
library when she heard the group and decided to stay for the show.
Benton said that he would like to have the band back again.
The musicians said they had enjoyed the gig and the laid-back atmosphere.
Makris said the feeling was so relaxed it was almost like practice.
DeCamp said that compared to some of the other venues they had played,
he really enjoyed this one because of the comfortable atmosphere.
To find out more about the Scuba Kats, including information on
upcoming events and biographies of some past and present band members,
long onto their website,http://www.thescubakats.com.
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