"We have designed unique blend of jazz for this concert. Some of the music will be very familiar and some will be off the beaten path. Be it Latin, ballad or uptempo - our goal is to make it groove! It is such a privilege for me to play with the other members of the group: pianist Phyllis Emert Rogers, guitarist Ed Smith, & bassist Byron Yancey. When you throw me into this mix we must have 200+ years of musical experience in total. Influenced by “Satchamo”, Miles, and Chet Baker, I try to blend a mellow sound of trumpet & fugel into the group. We play everything by ear and from the heart. Come listen closely, you will hear the jazz!"

Phyllis Emert Rogers - Piano: Phyllis, a native of Dallas, began playing piano at the age of four and continued her studies through TCU, NTSU, and UT Austin. She was first woman to play in the North Texas State One O'Clock Lab Band. Her unique style of playing is basically self-taught. Her performing experience includes jazz/cocktail solo piano, leading her own jazz trio, accompanying vocalists, and playing in dance bands of all sizes. She has played In the Dallas area in many night clubs, restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and private parties. In 2004 Phyllis and Allan relocated permanently to Hot Springs, AR, where Phyllis is performing weekends in the Venetian Dining Room at the Arlington Hotel. They have performed together in a number of local venues including with the JazzCats at the Brau Haus Restaurant.

Ed Smith - Guitar: Ed came to Arkansas from San Antonio, almost 27 years ago, and during that time has played with many of Arkansas’ best musicians. He was a regular with Carwin Pleasant, who until his stroke a few years ago, was one of the most respected bassists in the state, the late Art Porter and Charles Thomas, two of this country’s premier jazz pianists. Besides Larry's JazzCats, Ed plays with the Willy Davis’ Combo at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. He is also a regular member of vocalist Shirley Chauvins group, ‘Swonderful.

Byron Yancey - Bass: Byron is multitalented in that he plays both upright bass and electric bass guitar very well. With a background in classical piano and guitar, He seems to have a knack for laying down a creative bass line that doesn’t interfere musically. Perhaps his greatest forte is his very impressive soloing technique. Byron has played all styles of music with just about every band in Hot Springs and many throughout the State, but his true love is jazz. He also sings both harmony and lead. We feel quite fortunate that he is in our ensemble.

Larry Gatchel (leader) - Trumpet/Flugal: He began playing from 4th grade through high school, college, military, to include lead trumpet with the Don Murray Orchestra in Dallas for many years. Later he formed the Larry Gatchel Orchestra and performed for the tea dances at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dallas. Shortly after moving to Hot Springs in 1996, he formed an ensemble called “The JazzCats”. Influenced by “Satchamo”, Miles, and Chet Baker, he is now contented to blend his mellow sound of trumpet & flugal into the group. They performed continuously for 13 years on Sunday evenings a the Hot Springs Brau House.