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Want to know where we're from and how we got here? Check out the bio section.
It's 1948. You walk into a smoky dimly lit night club. The hottest spot in the city with the coolest cats and dolls, dressed to kill, sippin' extra-dry martini's with two olives. The dance floor is full of lindy hoppers and jitterbuggers. From the stage you hear the swingin' sounds of a steamin'
jazz band and a dame's voice that's as smooth as your drink.
Lesley Byers & The Jazz Cats recreate this era's best music made famous by the times most incredible musicians...Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald. Music to make you want to dance, sing along or just sit back and enjoy the show, all while sippin' a martini...extra dry!
Singing professionally for nearly 20 years, Lesley Picchietti Byers has performed all over the country including; Irving Plaza in New York City, The Derby in L.A. and Chicago's own House of Blues. From St. Louis to Seattle, San Francisco to Boston, Lesley spent 1997 - 2000 performing an average of 180 shows per year.
In the Fall of 2000, Lesley decided to re-group and begin a new musical challenge. With The Jazz Cats, Lesley has surrounded herself with some of Chicago's most talented jazz musicians. These cats really know how to swing.
A note from Lesley: August 2007
2007 started with a bang with my trip to Japan. It still feels like a dream. My husband, Kirk, and I fell in love with the people, the culture, their love for jazz, everything! The musicians who shared the stage with me were amazing! I got chills everynight realizing how music is truly a universal language. We had a fantastic time! I will be back!!
From there, the year was just busy (which is a good thing) filled with great gigs, amazing musicians and all around fun! As Grace Kelly said in 'High Society,' "...Golly Moses, I'm a lucky girl!!" Summer has flown by with all our outdoor shows. We still have several more.
With fall approaching, we're getting ready to begin our touring schedule. This year will include a performance and some Master Classes at my alma mater, Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm also returning to Denver, which was SOOOO much fun last year. I'm hoping to have the same fab Denver musicians. They were awesome! I'll keep you posted.
In early November we will return to the east coast. I'm still hashing out the details, but it will all come together soon. We hope to see some old friends along the way.
I know I need to update this site really bad! I have a new promo video I need to put on here as well as clips from a demo CD I did with Chicago guitarist phenom, Kyle Asche. It's in the same vain as Ella and Joe Pass. Sassy and fun!! All for now! Be friendly, be safe, be happy!
Lesley Byers is a favorite singer/performer among Chicagoland jazz fans and swing dancers. She has fans all across the country. Performing in front of crowds of 50 to 50,000, Lesley & The Jazz Cats transport audiences back in time to enjoy one of the most musically enriched eras of the 20th century....jazz at its best.
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