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Alan McRae

After playing bodhran in a Celtic music band called Celtic Knot for several years, I got together with some friends and created an oldies jazz band called The Wildcats: "A classic big band era oldies jazz band that plays the most popular jazz of the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's - with an occasional surprise thrown into the mix."

Featuring Mary Grace Lodico on keyboard, the late Bill "Doc" Stecher on synthesizer, Rick Eilerts on upright bass, George Jones on guitar and Alan McRae on drums, this classic oldies jazz quintet can transport you back in time via the romantic music of the Big Band Era - a classier & more civilized era when couples "dressed to the nine's" for an elegant evening out on the town. Lots of slow dances, waltzes, some swing and an occasional Latin number will get everyone onto the dance floor at some point during a performance, and your ears will appreciate their "easy listening" style that won't drown out your dinner conversation. Ballroom dancers will especially appreciate a danceable playlist of foxtrots, quick steps, waltzes, cha cha's, rumba's, samba's, tango's, and both East Coast & West Coast swings.

Besides playing drums in the Wildcats band, I also created our website, e-marketing system, event posters and promotional materials. I was also our recording engineer, live performance sound engineer, and principal roadie.

I consider myself an oldies jazz drummer, with a special forte for brushwork on jazz ballads, mellow stickwork on uptempo tunes, special attention to ballroom dance rhythms, and a love for playing behind great female vocalists. I probably inherited this desire to backup great female jazz singers from listening to my cousin Carmen McRae.

My current inspiration is Diana Krall, especially her "The Look of Love" album, which, to me, is oldies/classic jazz ballad perfection. I aspire to work closely with the bassist & piano player to perfectly back up a great singer and let her carry each song with just the right amount of instrumental accompaniment.

I am looking to play in a new jazz band where I can fit in and add to the talents of a great jazz pianist, awesome upright bassist, smooth jazz guitarist, and maybe a seductive brass player. Most important, we would need a jewel like Diana Krall at the microphone - a sophisticated lady who can nail every song and hold an audience in the palm of her hand. A class act in a gorgeous evening dress who can mesmerize with her perfect vocal stylings and spot on sense of harmony & rhythm.

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