Alpha Cats December 11, 2008

The Alpha Cats are a band of highly respected New Mexico musicians and, as they describe it, “a group of dear friends who are having a blast together.” Taking a playful swipe at music, the group plays both originals and standards that range from classic jazz and western swing to blues, bossa novas and ballads. A “twin guitar” ensemble, the Alpha Cats features guitarists, Lewis Winn and George Langston; bassist, Susan Hyde Holmes; and drummer, Cal Haines. Lewis Winn has played guitar & bass for over 40 years teaching privately as well as at the College of Santa Fe where he has been an adjunct faculty since 1994. He has been a featured artist with Max Roach, Eddie Harris, Richie Cole, Jack Walrath, the Real Time Quartet, the Jon Gagan Quartet, Melodious Thump, TwoTone and Yoboso and is currently the leader/arranger for the “Cats.” George Langston names some of his early influences as Chet Atkins, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, B.B. King, Doc Watson, and Clarence White. He has played in acoustic, country, swing, R&B, and rock and roll bands and spent most of the 1980’s playing in New Mexico and Texas-based “road” bands. He has performed and recorded with many local luminaries including Busy McCarrol, Jimmy Carl Black, Christine Albert, Jack Clift, Bill Hearne and others. Cost: $12/$7 Members & Students.