B and L Music: News

We are delighted to announce that drummer Steve Hodgetts has joined SophistiCats.
Steve moved to the United States in 1977, after playing with Bossa Nova, Dixieland, swing dance, and pop bands in his native England. Stateside, he’s performed with a Top 40 band and two impressive country bands, including 18 years with “Backwoods”, which earned Steve and the band induction into the CT Country Music Hall of Fame. When Backwoods retired, Steve joined “Heartland”, voted top country band for 2005 and 2006 in the Hartford Advocate Reader’s Poll. Steve’s solid, tasteful drumming, excellent vocals, and varied musical experience make him the perfect compliment SophistiCats' eclectic sound.
Welcome Steve!

Hello Friends!

We are excited to announce that our new CD, "Wisdom's Pearls" has finally been released! Yes, this is the same one we recorded with Frank Vignola and Rich Zukor in June of this year. You can hear song samples on our MUSIC page, and you can purchase the CD through CD Baby and a few download sites. You'll find direct links to our CD at various vendors on our LINKS page.

Thank you for your support!

Lorraine & Bill

Hello Friends!

As you know, we've been busy incorporating original songs into our repertoire and planning to record a CD of our compositions. Our dream was finally realized in June! It started last summer when Bill approached internationally renowned jazz guitarist Frank Vignola to ask if he'd record with us. It was March before we finally gave Frank a recording of our songs and we were delighted when he liked what he heard and agreed to join us. The recording session took place at Signature Sounds in Pomfret, Connecticut on June 11th, and drummer Rich Zukor joined us as well. Together we recorded six of the songs on our CD.

Rich and Frank perform and record together in two groups, Gypsy Grass and The Frank Vignola Quintet. Check out Frank's site at www.FrankVignola.com and prepare to be dazzled! Frank’s virtuosity is astounding. Rich is an exuberant percussionist, playing the djembe with his own personal style and providing dynamic rhythmic accompaniment. Rich also performs with the groups Dave’s True Story and Lipbone. It was truly a memorable experience to play with musicians of such a high caliber. Bill was smiling all day!

A few days later we were joined by drummer Lorne Entress, a gifted musician and producer. Lorne added captivating percussion and solid rhythm to five of our compositions. To learn more about Lorne, see his website at www.lorneentress.com.

Total time in the studio was 6 days for recording and 3 days for mixing. Studio engineer Mark Thayer was wonderful to work with-relaxed and lots of fun too! Mark offered many creative ideas that added to our sound and helped us produce a high quality recording. Next step is to take our recording to the talented Jim Chapdelaine who will do the mastering and then our CD will go into production! We expect the CD to be released sometime in August. Song samples have been uploaded to our Music page so you can get a sneak preview. We would be delighted to have you listen, share your comments in our guestbook, and share our excitement! Sincere thanks for your support!

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Bill and Lorraine have been busy with several musical ventures.
Lorraine has been composing songs in many musical styles for the past 4 years, and in the past year Bill and Kevin have been creating outstanding instrumental accompaniments for those compositions. As a team, the three of them have created some truly pleasing original works in the jazz, gypsy, Celtic folk, and rockabilly styles.

This spring we plan to record a CD of all original material. The studio is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy our Connecticut gigs, playing summer concerts all around the state, and also weddings and private parties.

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Check our calendar and come on out and listen!