“Katy & Company”, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ

So, this post isn’t about karaoke, but bear with me, please.

Last night, September 6, 2009, Lisa, Loren, Sheryl, Tammy, Sue and I all went to hear a fabulous band called “Katy & Company,” at Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, AZ.  I have had a couple of occasions to hear them and they are just wonderful! Katy Martin is the lead singer and her band is composed of Doug Martin, (keys),  Howard Wooten (guitar), Mike Levy (bass) and Alejandro Canelos (drums). Doug and Mike sing a little bit of backround vocals as well.

As a rule, “Katy & Co” usually just play corporate gigs, but occasionally they perform for Loews. Since they have quite a following, they really pack the place. Their choice of songs is mix of 60″s – 70″s R&B with newer material mixed in. The sound is balanced and not overwhelming. Katy’s voice is clear, bluesy, mellow and soulful. The band has a great beat and the dance floor was never empty.  What a blast!

Katy sings all of my personal favorites and many of the songs that I sing at karaoke. Now, I am very particular about those songs. I know how Aretha, Bonnie, Dusty and others sing those songs – I know how I sing those songs. It actually hurts my ears to hear some karaoke singers butcher them. But Katy, she takes them to a whole new level. Don’t get me wrong. I am not comparing her to a karaoke singer. She makes those songs her own.

Katy and Doug Martin (sans band) play Monday – Friday for happy hour (5:30 – 8 PM), as a duo or ‘lounge act’ in the same lounge at Loew’s. The lounge act is a scaled back version of their band performance. Now let me be very clear, scaled back does not mean watered-down, in any sense.  The happy hour is just more of a quiet gig, no drums, percussion or guitars. Many of the songs are the same - melodic, bluesy, and soulful – but unplugged.

If you get the chance to catch them, do not miss it!

ET,  Coolest Karaoke Girl
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