Led by the Queen of Vintage Vocals Miss Kai Hoffman, swingin’ retro band Kai’s Cats combine a love of jumpin’ jive, positive vibes and fashion into one swingin’ band. With numbers like Louis Jordan’s ‘There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ this band is guaranteed to get toes tappin’! MEOW!!!
You can hear Kai’s Cats live on the first Thursday of every month at their Ronnie Scott’s Bar residency, ‘Kai’s Live & Let Jive’ (a Time Out Critic’s Choice Event), which is currently in its third year (please check out the gigs page for dates!).
Uplifting, positively joyful entertainment of the highest calibre, Kai’s Cats play a mix of jumpin’ jive, swing and early rock and roll. In the style of great jazz entertainers such as Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, Kai’s Cats accessible, melodically swinging tunes are fun to listen to and even more fun for dancing. The band can provide jive and lindy hop dancers and tutors upon request to really get your party in full swing!
Kai’s Cats were founded by arranger and pianist Simon Whiteside and Kai Hoffman. The pair met in 2002 whilst Kai was stepping in to play on horn for Simon’s Birth of the Cool band, SWXI. They started performing vocal/piano duo gigs together and, eventually, in 2007 the band Kai’s Cats was born. Kai’s Cats released their first CD ‘Jump Jive & Swing’ in August, 2010.
Alongside the music, Kai has developed a great visual style and is never to be seen without being adorned in vintage-style fashion, provided by her wonderful sponsors, Vivien of Holloway. The band’s look is as much a part of the act as the music and the band are a visual feast in their black and red zoot suits.
The Cats are purrrroud to have played at fabulous London swingin’ events including Stompin’ at the 100 Club for the London Swing Dance Society, Jitterbugs Lindy Hop Night at Marble Arch and C-Jam at the Bedford in Balham, with the City of London Festival, Twinwood Glenn Miller Festival and much more in between!
Perfect for weddings, private parties, corporate events and vintage-themed events as well as festivals, Kai’s Cats look forward to playing for you soon!