Phat Cat Swinger Boogies on Down to the Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts of a night of live big band swing with a 12-piece orchestra.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Phat Cat Swinger’s founder, Marco Palos, and band member Blake Lewis about their upcoming show at the Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts (CCPA) on January 25, 2025. As they prepared for the evening of high-energy music and retro flair, they shared insights into the band’s unique fusion of West Coast and East Coast Swing styles, as well as the story behind their distinctive name.
Phat Cat Swinger’s sound blends classic Swing with a modern twist, and according to Palos, the band’s ability to combine elements of both coasts’ Swing styles gives them a fresh, dynamic edge. They’ve crafted a signature style that appeals to both purists and newcomers to the genre. Lewis added that the mix of styles gives their performances a versatile, exciting quality that keeps audiences engaged.
The name “Phat Cat Swinger” was born from a conversation with the members of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a band they would later open for. As Palos recounted, the name emerged organically during a friendly chat, with both bands discussing the Swing scene and their shared love of music. Inspired by the iconic era of swing, they felt the name perfectly captured their fun and energetic vibe while keeping it grounded in the classic Swing tradition and the singularity of the title being as one entity instead of a collective of individuals.
Phat Cat Swinger’s reputation for bringing sparkly colorful jackets, blaring horns, and a repertoire of songs that range from original tunes to modern renditions of clasic songs in a Swing style, including a Disney arrangement, has earned them rave reviews. SwingDance L.A. praised them as “a high-energy band,” while Broadway World declared, “They blow the roof off!” Their vibrant performances mix the glitz of classic Hollywood with the heart of Swing music, making for a night of entertainment that’s sure to keep the crowd on their feet.
To purchase tickets to see Phat Cat Swinger at the Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts visit: https://am.ticketmaster.com/.
If you can not attend the performance at the Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts visit Phat Cat Swinger at: https://www.phatcatswinger.com/ for more tour dates.
