May 28 2010

Filthy, Mangy Jazz is how Le Chat Lunatique describes themselves on their blog. They played SXSW for the first time earlier this year and they are the local jazz flavor in Albuquerque, NM. A friend of a friend sent me some info about their latest show – a set played in a independent record store celebrating a Grand Re-Opening – and I arrived very early with thoughts of tattooed, Betty Paige and Jesse James-looking types, sipping martinis and Scotch, as some of the patrons of the gathering.

I was wrong.

I was pleasantly surprised with the sound. Le Chat Lunatique played an upbeat, spirited and downright fun Jazz. And being the pride of Albquerque’s local scene, there were smiles, gyrations and an all-around festiveness during their show that I hadn’t experienced in the 10 days I’ve been in this city. For that, I say thank you to the band and to the wonderful new friend who gave me the low-down on the scene.