Bio
From a sultry, smokey piano bar ambience to the rockin’ juke joints of yesteryear, Kath and the Tomkats are the Okanagan’s very own nostalgic R&B band who have won numerous awards, including Best Local Musician/Music Group, through the Okanagan Life Magazine “Readers Choice Awards.”
The members of Kath and the Tomkats bring with them long histories in a variety of genres including Blues, Jazz and good ‘ol Rock + Roll. From garden parties with light Jazz to full on dance events, Kath and the Tomkats promises to make your event memorable.
Kath and the Tomkats are a well known jazz, blues and dance band from Vernon, BC. Over the past 12 years, they have morphed a number of times with various musicians who added diversity and a variety of genres to the band’s repertoire of music. They have been voted Best Local Jazz and Blues Band as well as Favorite Local Band and continue to bring their style of music at various venues throughout the Okanagan. Kath Raeber, the band’s leader and lead vocalist, brings a sultry, bluesy feel to the songs she likes to sing. A freelance writer, Playwright, festival promoter ( Rarearth Music Fest) and children’s talent contest and workshop organizer ( Our Kids Have Talent ) … she also loves to write and co-produce her own songs; however she has a great deal of respect for the musicians that came before her and honors them by doing their songs with her own flair.
Walt Musekamp, on lead guitar, who is an ‘original tomkat’, began
as the band’s bass player – he now plays lead guitar and brings his over 40 years
in the business and his cool, clean sound to the band.
John Keith – Killer Sound – doubles as Kath’s Sound Engineer and drummer.
John has a major background in sound, working for the Olympics and for the likes of ‘Buddy Guy and Mojo Williams’.
Craig Carmody provides the soulful sound of the sax to the mix. Craig plays in Vernon’s Mark Rose Swing Band as well as his own ¾ Tet Jazz Trio and has been a ‘tomkat’ for over five years.
Jacob Chatterton is the newest member to the ‘kats’ on bass. An accomplished musician and computer guru, he also plays for the well-known Reggae & Soul band Samsara bringing an amazing flavor to the rhythm section of the band.