Cat's a Bear frank@franksinger.com Erie, Pennsylvania
Cat's a Bear
Cat's a Bear is a contemporary original jazz group performing in the
Eastern Great Lakes region of the United States,
whose members have more than 100 years of combined professional musicianship.
The group has existed for 40 years, with its roots in Boston, MA.
Founders Frank Singer and Joe Dorris,
along with current members Joseph Frisina and Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
and former bandmates Tony Stefanelli, Phil Papotnik, Basil Ronzitti,
Bob Dorris, Russ Hoffman
and the occassional guest have explored every form of music available including
Latin, Standards, Fusion, Blues and more--all showcased on their
albums.
Cat's a Bear original scores are intense and multilayered masterpieces,
amazing both novices and the trained ear alike.
Since the 1980s, Cat's a Bear has received extensive radio play and
excellent national reviews.
It's guitarist and commissioned composer,
Frank Singer, was one of three finalists in the
John Lennon Songwriting Contest of 1999--winning for
Unity and Diversity,
the title track of
One World Tribe's debut
album.
"...You can expect a high degree of interplay, thrusting
rhythms, imaginative, soaring harmonies, and really
virtuostic instrumental work from every member."--
John Chacona, Jazz and Blues Festival EmCee
"For jazz aficionados, a rocket
ride through arrangements played with unmatched musical technique by some
very serious talents."--Bay City Nights
"...high energy and algebraic approach
to jazz"--John Chacona, Erie Times-News Showcase
******************
Cat's A Bear Music Online:
Albums:
Including Covers Exclusive to Cat's A Bear.com
Outdoor Cats 2021: 814 Day EP:
3 Live Tracks recorded in 2021 at 814 Day.
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Outdoor Cats 2019:
5 Live Tracks recorded in 2019 at Celebrate Erie.
Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Outdoor Cats 2013 +:
7 Live Tracks recorded in 2013 at The Erie Blues and Jazz Festival,
with 5 Bonus Tracks from a 2014 Performance at Celebrate Erie.
Phil Papotnik,
Joe Frisina,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
21st Century Cats:
16 Tracks recorded between 1992 and 2013.
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Cover from the Recordings:
And To All...:
Cat's A Bear plays JD Jazz - Holiday Music.
Released in November 2009.
Joe Dorris on Vocals and Harmonica,
Frank Singer on Guitar.
Includes the Blues version of Auld Lang Syne!
Apple iTunes
|
Amazon.com
|
Amazon Music
Outdoor Cats 2007:
7 Live Tracks recorded in 2007 at The Erie Arts Festival.
Phil Papotnik,
Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Takes From The Lab EP:
5 Tracks of 2 tunes recorded at various rehearsals, 2002-2005.
Phil Papotnik,
Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Live At Forward Hall (2004):
6 Live Tracks recorded in 2004 at Forward Hall.
Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Live At The Rex EP 2003:
4 Live Tracks recorded in 2003 at The Rex Jazz Club in Toronto, Canada.
Phil Papotnik,
Tony Stefanelli,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Basil By The Bay:
5 Tracks recorded live at the Papermoon in 2000 and 2002.
Basil Ronzitti, Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Phil Papotnik,
Tony Stefanelli, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris (Vocals on Covers). Covers from Basil By The Bay:
The Cycling Troll Sessions:
10 Tracks recorded at Cycling Troll Studios, Including
Tito: In Search of a Revolution (1993)
and the two Original Tracks from
Tito In Wonderland (1996).
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris (Vocals on Covers). Covers from Tito In Wonderland:
Blues For Alice:
Composition by Charlie Parker,
Lyrics by Joe Dorris.
In Search Of A Revolution 2: Lost And Found:
13 Tracks of Trios and Quartets from the Revolution Sessions, Previously UnReleased - 1993.
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Tito: In Search of a Revolution:
7 Trio Tracks and 1 Quartet Track with Phil Papotnik.
Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris and Tony Stefanelli.
Original Album Artwork by Hal Singer.
These Tracks are part of
The Cycling Troll Sessions.
Apple iTunes |
Amazon.com |
Amazon Music
Live at the Annex:
Erie Art Museum Annex Live Quartet Performance from December 17, 1993.
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Cover from the Performance:
A Day In The Life Of A Cat:
6 Tracks recorded on June 17, 1992.
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
90s Lives of the Cats:
25 Tracks recorded in 1992 and 1995.
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Phil Papotnik,
Tony Stefanelli, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris. Covers from 90s Lives of the Cats:
The Tito Experience:
5 Sextet and 6 Quintet Tracks with Frank Singer on Keyboard,
Joe Dorris on Drums, Tony Stefanelli on Bass,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti on Congas and Percussion,
Anthony Stefanelli on Percussion,
and Phil Papotnik on tracks 1-5.
Cover from the Album:
95 And Still Alive - The Gig:
10 Live Performance Electronic Duo Tracks from Frank Singer and Joe Dorris.
The last live duo performance recorded at Gannon University, October 22, 1995.
Bonus tracks include 5 Eye Of The Pyramid outtakes and
a Joe Dorris original called Ravine.
Cover from the Album:
2 Live Cats / '95 and Still Alive Dub:
7 Live Electronic Duo Tracks from Frank Singer and Joe Dorris, and 16
Electronic Backing Tracks, including the Eye of the Pyramid Tracks.
Covers from the Album:
Somewhere Over
The Rainbow (Tranebow):
A Tritonic Reharmonization of the Classic Wizard of Oz Composition.
Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.
Cats
On The Radio 2: Live Broadcast from WERG FM, Emerson College, Boston MA.
August 26, 1987. Bob Dorris, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Cats
On The Radio: Live Broadcast from WERG FM, Emerson College, Boston MA.
March 31, 1987. Bob Dorris, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris. Cover from the Broadcast:
Cat Tracks EP:
3 Tracks from the Bob Dorris Era, including a live version of
'Trane Steps with Russ Hoffman at Berklee Performance Center, and two
versions of Kikit. The 4th cut is an experimental electronic Kikit
Jam from the composer.
Purchase includes an Electronic Duo bonus track of BearFeat from
The Birdland Years.
Live in '85:
Live recordings from three Boston gigs at The Willow,
Ryle's and Jack's, featuring one of Cat's A Bear's most
dynamic Quartets, with Russ Hoffman, Bob Dorris,
Frank Singer and Joe Dorris. Covers from the Gigs:
Great Gorge November 21, 1985 (Jack's):
Composition by Joe Farrell.
The Euphoria Sessions: 10 tracks recorded at Euphoria Sound Studios in
Revere, MA in 1984 and 1986. Covers from the Sessions:
4 x 5 1986:
Composition by McCoy Tyner.
Bob Dorris, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Great Gorge 1986:
Composition by Joe Farrell.
Bob Dorris, Frank Singer (Guitar and Piano),
Joe Dorris.
Cat Lines:
Precursors, Experiments and Developments of Cat's A Bear's composer, Frank Singer.
Includes the original Monkey Wrench.
Covers from Player's Lounge:
Donna Lee:
by Charlie Parker.
Frank Singer: Bass |
Nokes Kelly: Sax |
Larry Maksin: Drums
Live Gigs:
Cat's A Bear Live at Voodoo BrewPub, January 10 2020
-
15 Live Cuts from the CAB Quartet of Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris, Joseph Frisina and Nick Ronzitti
Recorded at the Event on January 10, 2020 at
Voodoo BrewPub in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
All original music written by Frank Singer.
Cat's A Bear Live at Artlore Studio
-
8 Live Cuts from the CAB Quartet of Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris, Joseph Frisina and
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti.
Recorded at the Event on November 27, 2019 at
Artlore Studio in Erie, Pennsylvania.
All original music written by Frank Singer.
Cat's A Bear Live at Artlore Studio
-
7 Live Cuts from the CAB Quartet of Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris, Joseph Frisina and
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti.
Recorded at the Event on November 21, 2018 at
Artlore Studio in Erie, Pennsylvania.
All original music written by Frank Singer.
Cat's A Bear Live at Artlore Studio
-
6 Live Cuts from the CAB Quintet of Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris, Joseph Frisina, Phil Papotnik and
Nick "TIto" Ronzitti.
Recorded at the Event on November 22, 2017 at
Artlore Studio in Erie, Pennsylvania.
All original music written by Frank Singer.