By Meeshi (Meeshi) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 04:06 am: Edit
Members (left to right): Carl Sonny Leyland (piano, vocals), Katie Cavera (guitar, vocals), Hal Smith (drums, leader), Anita Thomas (reeds, vocals), and Mike Earls (string bass)
About Hal's Angels
When Anita Thomas met Katie Cavera, a musical partnership quickly resulted. Next, Katie put together a jam session with Anita and invited bandleader Hal Smith to play. Following the session the three participants immediately decided to organize a band. Coincidentally, a job offer in Arizona materialized at the same time and "Hal's Angels" became a working trio. The trio expanded to a quintet with the addition of pianist Carl Sonny Leyland and bassist Mike Earls. The Angels play "Southwestern Swing"--Louis Armstrong to Count Basie; Joe Williams to Bob Wills. Anita, Katie and Sonny are featured vocalists. They sing up a storm! When Sonny plays boogie woogie and the blues, crowds always shout for "more!" We are happy to Hal's Angels make their San Diego debut right at our very own Aubergine nightclub this Sunday, June 15th!
Hal's Angels
ANITA THOMAS (reeds, vocals, arranger) A native of Australia, Anita graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a major in arranging. Later, she was the musical director of the Pan Pacific Jazz and Big Band Camp. In addition to her work as a jazz educator, Anita performed with the James Morrison Big Band, led her own Quintet and played in musicals including "42nd Street" and "Cabaret" before emigrating to Los Angeles. Currently she appears with the Reynolds Brothers Rhythm Rascals, Firehouse Stompers and others. Besides freelancing, composing and arranging, Anita teaches reeds at the AFCDJS Adult Jazz Camp in San Diego.
KATIE CAVERA (guitar, vocals, arranger) studied with Dr. David Baker at Indiana University and composed and arranged music for college dramatical productions "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Sweet Bird of Youth." Katie is the most sought-after plectrist on the West Coast. Her band credits include: Jim Cullum's Jazz Band, New Orleans Wanderers, Golden Eagle Jazz Band, Firehouse Stompers, Clint Baker's New New Orleans Jazz Band, Bobby Gordon Sextet and the Jazz Chihuahuas. Katie also works with her husband (magician Woody Pittman) in a magic act and in short films. Katie teaches banjo and guitar at the AFCDJS Adult Jazz Camp.
CARL SONNY LEYLAND (piano, vocals) learned to play boogie woogie piano and mastered the art of authentic blues singing while still a teenager in England. He moved to New Orleans in 1988 and worked with Ernie K-Doe, Chuck Carbo and others. Since relocating to Southern California, the versatile pianist/vocalist has worked with Gremoli, Bobby Gordon, George Probert, Roger Jamieson's New Orleanians, Chris Kelly's Black & White Jazz Band Big Sandy & the Flyright Boys (western swing) Blue Largo (blues). Sonny frequently tours overseas as a soloist and his music can be heard on the soundtracks of "A Perfect World," "The Pelican Brief" and "The Newton Boys."
MIKE EARLS (bass) studied with “Senator” Eugene J. Wright. Mike has played with Rosy McHargue, Betty O'Hara, Abe Most, Ray Sherman, Gremoli, Golden Eagle Jazz Band, the Bobby Gordon Sextet, Baldy Mountain Swing and the Paradise Cove Classic Jazz Band. He has also worked with an acoustic folk trio and a variety of big bands, vocalists and community theater orchestras. Mike is one of the most in-demand bassists in Southern California and is highly regarded by colleagues in every category and style of music.
HAL SMITH (drums, leader) has made over 150 recordings; performed with the Dukes of Dixieland, Jim Cullum's Jazz Band, Summit Reunion, Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band, Climax Jazz Band, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, South Frisco Jazz Band, Marty Grosz and led the critically-acclaimed "Roadrunners." Hal is also a noted jazz writer whose articles appear in Mississippi Rag, Jazz Rambler, Frisco Cricket, Just Jazz (U.K.) and other journals. He works with the Butch Thompson Trio, New Orleans Wanderers, Clint Baker's New New Orleans Jazz Band, Bobby Gordon, Bob Schulz and leads the Jazz Chihuahuas. Hal is Administrative-Media Director of America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society-San Diego and teaches drums at their Jazz Camp.
Click HERE to hear some musical clips from this up-and-coming swingsational band!
