Cat's A Bear Albums and Covers
Including Covers and Albums Exclusive to Cat's A Bear.com
Cat's A Bear has recorded music since 1984. This list includes 20 Bandcamp Albums, many with Additional Covers, JD Jazz Music and Downloadable Albums.
John Chacona Quote with Phil on Sax:
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Outdoor Cats 2021: 814 Day EP:
3 Live Tracks recorded in 2021 at 814 Day.
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
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Outdoor Cats 2019:
5 Live Tracks recorded in 2019 at Celebrate Erie.
Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
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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.
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21st Century Cats:
17 Tracks recorded between 1992 and 2013.
Phil Papotnik, Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti, Joe Frisina,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Cover from the Recordings:
Senor CS: Composition by John McLaughlin. Stella By Starlight: Composition by Victor Young. Stolen Moments: Composition by Oliver Nelson.
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Cat's A Bear plays JD Jazz: Let's Fall In Love:
Jazz Standards, 2011.
Joe Dorris (Vocals) with Frank Singer (Guitar).
The Album Cover and Tracks are Free for Download.
Recording, Mastering by Frank Singer, 1GCP Studio.
01: What Is This Thing Called Love? Cole Porter 02: How Deep Is The Ocean? Irving Berlin 03: Body And Soul Johnny Green 04: Let's Fall In Love Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler 05: Our Love Is Here To Stay George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin 06: My Romance Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 07: I Could Write A Book Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 08: My Funny Valentine Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 09: Sugar Stanley Turrentine Play All Tracks:
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Cat's A Bear plays JD Jazz: And To All...:
Holiday Music.
Released in November 2009.
Joe Dorris on Vocals and Harmonica,
Frank Singer on Guitar.
Includes the Blues version of Auld Lang Syne!
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Cat's A Bear plays JD Jazz: And That's OK...:
Jazz Standards, 2009.
Joe Dorris (Vocals) with Frank Singer (Guitar).
The Album Cover and Tracks are Free for Download.
Recording, Mastering by Frank Singer, 1GCP Studio.
Jazz Reviewer Bob Protzman wrote a Pre-Release Notice and a Review of the Album.
Read More:
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Album Review:
July 2009 Erie Life Magazine Review
JD Jazz: And That's OK...(Naked Kitty Productions) 2.5 asterisks out of 4
Erie duo holds nothing back on album of standards
The first plus here from Erie-ites Frank Singer (guitar) and Joe Dorris (vocals) is the song selection - some great and surprising jazz and/or pop standards, especially "Stolen Moments" and "Silent Love." And when's the last time you heard a vocal on Sonny Rollins "Doxy"?
Singer does his usual thing - playing exceptional guitar - while Dorris is the daring one, dropping his sticks to sing (and scat). Dorris' voice is so deep and grainy it could frighten small children, but it proves there is more to singing than having an easy-on-the-ears voice. Expressive, energetic, yes, sensitive - whether swinging or telling a great love story - Dorris sings like he cares, and that counts for a lot.
Pre-Release Notice:
May 14 2009 Erie Times-News Showcase Article
An encounter nearly 30 years ago in Boston became a musical partnership and friendship that thrives today as a major contributor to the Erie jazz scene.
Almost since their first meeting at a jam session in Bean Town circa 1979-80, guitarist Frank Singer and drummer/vocalist Joe Dorris have been a sort of "Frank and Joe Show." They brought their act to Erie in 1990.
"We both like challenges; we want to be the best players we can, and we know that's a life long job," says Singer, a native of Mount Holly, NJ.
Says Dorris, born and raised in Erie, "We like music that gets your adrenalin going. We're both into martial arts and working out, and that has kept us interested in producing high-energy music."
If you're a jazz fan in Erie, almost anywhere you turn, you will find one or the other or both in well established bands or in the thick of jazz activities. Both are volunteers, BTW, with JazzErie.
Their major collaborationation comes in the group Cat's a Bear. Singer also is a member of One World Tribe and J.D. and the Sons of Rhythm, and he and Dorris shared the bandstand in pianist Basil Ronzitti's house band backing major out of town artists at the late, lamented Papermoon.
Cat's a Bear has recorded three CDs, but now comes a new venture for Frank and Joe - a duo CD with Frank on guitar, and Joe coming out from behind his trap set to sing.
The CD, titled "And That's OK..." (Naked Kitty Productions), finds our players tackling a hip selection of a dozen pop and jazz standards, most familiar ("Stella By Starlight," "Willow Weep for Me"), some lesser known ("Have You Met Miss Jones," "After You've Gone"), and a couple of welcome surprises (jazz classics like Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" and Sonny Rollins' "Doxy," plus a moving ballad titled "Silent Love").
Now 50, Singer has been playing guitar since age 11, and most area jazz fans are familiar with his playing-intelligent, expressive, swinging, and often a technically dazzling mix of rich chords and fleet, cleanly articulated single-note runs.
"I'm right there in the moment when I play. I want to play what I feel--some days raw energy, some days, my deep soul," says Singer.
"You'll hear plenty of Singer on the CD, not only soloing, but also in his intros and often exciting and sensitive accompaniment of Dorris' soulful, swinging, scat-filled vocals.
On the other hand, while Dorris' rumbling, raucous powerhouse drumming is a familiar sight and sound, his singing will catch many by surprise because he doesn't do it that often.
He's been vocalizing since 15, however, beginning in a band with his brother in which all members had to sing. "I got stuck singing all the high parts," recalls Dorris.
Joe's next stop was a country band named Whiskey River. "Whiskey isn't too good for the vocal cords," Dorris laughs.
You getting the idea here? "The voice just starts to wear out," says Dorris.
Which brings us to 2009, Joe Dorris at 53, and a voice that it would be an understatement to describe as unusual.
Dorris suggests you think Tom Waits, Louis Armstrong, and Dr. John for starters, as others do.
Gravelly, gruff, growling, Joe's voice is the lowest of the low. Almost painful to listen to at first, it grows on folks who realize there is more to singing than tonal purity.
"Singing allows me to be a better drummer because I learn the melody of lots of songs," says Dorris. "I'm proud of my singing. I've gained a lot of acceptance," he says, adding after a pause for dramatic effect, "A lot of people think I sound sexy."
Bob PROTZMAN wrote about jazz for six decades. Bob died in 2020.
01: There Will Never Be Another You Harry Warren and Mack Gordon 02: Nature Boy Eden Ahbez 03: Lover Come Back To Me Oscar Hammerstein II 04: My Silent Love Dana Suesse 05: Stella By Starlight Victor Young 06: Stolen Moments Oliver Nelson 07: Doxy Sonny Rollins 08: Dindi Antonio Carlos Jobim 09: Slow Boat To China Frank Loesser 10: Willow Weep For Me Ann Ronell 11: Have You Met Miss Jones? Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 12: After You've Gone Turner Layton and Henry Creamer Play All Tracks:
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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:
01: I Mean You: Composition by Thelonius Monk. 04: Sugar: Composition by Stanley Turrentine. 06: (Se Acabo) La Malanga: Composition by Rudy Calzado. 07: Summertime: Composition by George Gershwin, Arrangement by Basil Ronzitti. 10: Four: Composition by Miles Davis.
One Papermoon Eve:
Basil Ronzitti (Piano) with Frank Singer (Guitar)
and John Dauber (Bass). October 2002.
The Album Cover and Tracks are Free for Download.
Recording by Marty O'Connor. Cover Photo by Richard Ludwig on Unsplash.com
01: All The Things You Are Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II 02: Tenderly Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence 03: Unknown Title Seeking Author 04: Straight, No Chaser Thelonius Monk 05: 'Round Midnight Thelonius Monk 06: I Mean You Thelonius Monk 07: Cherokee Ray Noble 08: Sweet Lorraine Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parish 09: Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) Carl Sigman and Luiz Bonfa 10: Blue Monk Thelonius Monk 11: Niama John Coltrane 12: Night And Day Cole Porter Play All Tracks:
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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:
01: Blues For Alice: Composition by Charlie Parker, Lyrics by Joe Dorris. 02: Sugar: Composition by Stanley Turrentine. 04: 'Round Midnight: Composition by Cootie Williams, Thelonius Monk, Lyrics by Bernie Hanighan. 05: Honey Suckle Rose: Composition by Thomas "Fats" Waller.
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:
8 All Original Tracks from a CAB Trio of Frank Singer,
Joe Dorris and Tony Stefanelli.
Original Album Artwork by Hal Singer.
These tracks are included in the The Cycling Troll Sessions on Bandcamp.
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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:
Binky's Beam: Composition by John McLaughlin.
Cat's A Bear Plays JD Blues: Live At Scully's: December 18, 1993.
Joe "JD" Dorris..........Vocals, Harmonica, Drums
Frank Singer..........Guitar, Keyboard
Tony Stefanelli..........Fretless Bass
Elise "Fast Eddy" Stefanelli..........Vocals
Anthony "Trim" Stefanelli..........Drums.
Remote recording, mix and engineering by Tom Hitt.
Produced by Frank Singer.
Cover Art by Hal Singer.
Special Thanks to Steve, Tom and Pete for their backs.
Thanks to Keith and the gang at Scully's.
The Album Covers and Tracks are Free for Download.
On the Saturday night following the recording of Live At The Annex, the Cat's A Bear trio of Joe Dorris, Tony Stefanelli and Frank Singer crossed State Street and set up in Scully's Pub to play the last JD Blues gig. Joined by Tony's daughter Elise and son Anthony, the night was a gas and the band played with amazing energy and joy. The first listing and Audio Player show the Original Album release (NKP1995 Cassette), and the second listing and Audio Player show the Full Performance for the evening (All Files Transfered from Original Digital CD).
Bandcamp EP
Live At Scully's EP
Remastered Versions of the two Original Cuts, Goodbye To You by Tony Stefanelli and Seen It Comin' by Joe Dorris.
Original Album01: Messin' With The Kid Mel London Angel Music Inc./World Int'l Publishing Co. 02: Goodbye To You Tony Stefanelli 03: Redhouse Jimi Hendrix/Bella Godiva Inc. 04: Come By Here Levy/Davis/Happy Valley Music 05: Evening Parish/White/BMI Mills Music, Inc. 06: Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes At Me Perry/Hall/Beinstock Pub. Co./Leiber Music/Stroller Music 07: I Just Wanna Make Love To You Wilie Dixon/Hoochie Choochie Music/Administered by Bug Play All Tracks:
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Full Performance01: Love To Live The Life Willie Dixon 02: Redhouse Jimi Hendrix/Bella Godiva Inc. 03: I'm Payin' The Cost (To Be The Boss) B.B. King 04: Come By Here Levy/Davis/Happy Valley Music 05: I Can't Quit My Baby B. King 06: Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes At Me Perry/Hall/Beinstock Pub. Co./Leiber Music/Stroller Music 07: Evening Parish/White/BMI Mills Music, Inc. 08: Goodbye To You Tony Stefanelli 09: Just For A Little While B. King, G. Wright, P. Campbell, J. Kubek 10: I Feel Lucky 11: Falling Rain 12: Real Man 13: Walking Blues 14: Red Sky On Black Mountain 15: Worried Life Blues Big Maceo 16: Flip Flop Fly Big Joe Turner 17: Hey Bartender Dossie Terry 18: Seen It Comin' Joe Dorris 19: Messin' With The Kid Mel London Angel Music Inc./World Int'l Publishing Co. 20: I Just Wanna Make Love To You Wilie Dixon/Hoochie Choochie Music/Administered by Bug Play All Tracks:
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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.
Trios, Quartets and Quintets:
Tony Stefanelli,
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti,
Phil Papotnik,
Frank Singer, Joe Dorris.
Covers from 90s Lives of the Cats:
01: Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma 02: Honeysuckle Rose by Fats Waller 03: Don't Get Around Much anymore by Bob Russell and Duke Ellington 04: Icarus by Ralph Towner 05: Song For My Father by Horace Silver 06: In A Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington 07: There Will Never Be Another You by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon 08: All The Things You Are by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern 09: Confirmation (Take 1) by Charles Parker 10: Confirmation (Take 2) by Charles Parker 11: Rhythm: Oleo by Sonny Rollins, Anthropology by Charles Parker, Nick's Lick and At Home On Trantor by Frank Singer 12: Cherokee by Ray Noble 13: Indiana / Donna Lee Indiana by J.F. Hanley and B.MacDonald, Donna Lee by Charles Parker 14: Manha De Carnaval (Black Orpheus) by Carl Sigman and Luiz Bonfa 15: Night In Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie Play All Tracks:
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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:All Blues: Miles Davis.
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:Spain: Composition by Chick Corea.
The Birdland Years:
Frank Singer (Guitar, Keyboards)
and Joe Dorris (Electronic Drums).
An Electronic Duo version of this fusion classic.
Three takes.
The Album Cover and Tracks are Free for Download.
Birdland by Joe Zawinul
01: Birdland Joe Zawinul 02: Birdland Joe Zawinul 03: Birdland Joe Zawinul Play All Tracks:
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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. Spain: Composition by Chick Corea.
Eye of the Pyramid:
8 Original Tracks from the CAB Duo of Frank Singer and
Joe Dorris.
THE Electronic Cat's A Bear Album.
Album Design by Frank Singer.
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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:
Great Gorge: Composition by Joe Farrell.
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 (and a chart) from the Gigs:
American Tango/Cucumber Slumber Medley August 1985 (The Willow): Compositions by Weather Report. Great Gorge September 24, 1985 (Ryle's): Composition by Joe Farrell. American Tango/Cucumber Slumber Medley November 21, 1985 (Jack's): Compositions by Weather Report. Great Gorge November 21, 1985 (Jack's): Composition by Joe Farrell. American Tango / Cucumber Slumber Medley PDF Parts: Guitar, Piano, Bass
The Euphoria Sessions: 10 tracks recorded at Euphoria Sound Studios in
Revere, MA in 1984 and 1986.
Covers from the Sessions:
'Trane Steps 1984: Russ Hoffman (Keyboard), Bob Dorris, Frank Singer, Joe Dorris. Giant Steps melody by John Coltrane. All other material by Frank Singer. 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:Blues For Alice: by Charlie Parker. Tune Up: by Miles Davis. Donna Lee: by Charlie Parker.
Frank Singer: Bass | Nokes Kelly: Sax | Larry Maksin: Drums
All Compositions, Recordings, Artwork, Copyrights and Publishing Rights Reserved
©2002 - Frank Singer | Cat's A Bear | Naked Kitty Productions | frank@franksinger.com
