These are the cats, a selection of some of our favorite jazz musicians.We've picked some well-known and some lesser known ones, old and contemporary, variousstyles and instruments.These are the folks we listen to.

Of course, we've omitted some, but we'll bechanging these pages regularly - along the way we'll be addingpertinent links, recommending books and CD's and generally offering our 2 cents worth,from a cat's perspective.

Help us improve these pages!If you know of a book, CD, website or artist that we absolutelymust know about, e-mail us.

Jimmy Vass

Jimmy is one of our favorite alto players, (other than being our favorite cat-dad.) He has agorgeous sound and is a phenomenally inventive improvisor. Originally from Philly, he's recorded a lot as a sideman.Check out Andrew Hill'sDivine Revelation, on which Jimmyplays flute and alto. If you're not familiar with this artist, his website will tell you more. A Paula and Lulu A-1 pick!

Sonny Rollins

A giant of the tenor saxophone, Sonny is one of themost exciting performers on the scene today. If you ever get the chance to catch him Live - Do NOT miss it!!!!! A versatileplayer, he's had a long and well-documented career - virtuallyeverything he's done is worth owning. We highly recommend Sonny Side Up, a classic recording withSonny Stitt and Dizzy Gillespie. And you can't go wrong with A Night at the Village Vanguard.

Shirley Horn

Shirley is a wonderful singer and pianist with a superb balladstyle. Her subtle, yet dramatic phrasing has been compared to Miles' trumpet. Our favorite recording is You Won't Forget Meon the Verve record label, which, by the way, features Miles as a guest soloist. For more information, you may want to visitShirley Horn on Verve. There is also the Shirley Horn discography.