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Kool Katz "Latin Bounce" Tunes

Kool Katz "Latin Bounce"

 

When music is created, it takes a mixture of talent, hard work, dedication and an appreciation for the time necessary to create the right sound or groove. When a group can harness all of the influences and sounds from the past and present to create their own sound it is something special. Music is created to enjoy, dance and create memories of happiness. Music is the soundtrack of our lives, whether in happy or sad occasions, it documents the time of our lives. 

California's Newest INDIE Artist!

This is, Latin Bounce! This is, The Kool Katz!

The start of the Kool Katz and "Latin Bounce!"

 

Art Galvan- 56, born in Gilroy, ca and raised in San Jose, CA. Lived on the Eastside of San Jose the majority of his life.

 

Kelly Galvan- 51, born and raised by her aunt Betty in San Jose, ca. Lived on the Eastside and North side of San Jose.

 

We love to camp, ride Harley’s, party, bbq, hear music, family time, go to movies, eat chips n salsa and oh yes, perform music til the day we die!

 

Art and I met back in 1983 or 84 at a place called Maria’s nightclub. He was in a band called Starfire and my mom Trudy introduced us. We were friends for a lot of years before seeing each other in 1986. Our relationship grew more and more and in 1989 we decided to elope in Reno, Nevada. Our marriage took place on the BEST day of the year,  New Years Eve!! Together; we have 6 kids, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchild. We’re originally from San Jose but live in Tracy, Ca since 2003.

 

The Kool Katz got started in 1997. I owe it all to my husband Art Galvan “Kool Katz Lead Guitar Man.” He is the one who introduced me to the band scene.  It was 1994 and one day while Art was at work, I had these vocals and rhythms in my head. It kept on and on till finally I wrote down the words in my head and I recorded the rhythms too. I created a song sounding out the guitar, bass, horns and vocals.

 

It was pretty trippy to me so I called Art to tell him. I said I want you to hear something so I placed the recorder to the phone and let it play. Once the song was over I asked him what he thought. He said what is that? I told him it was a song I wrote for him and the band he was in, Mystique. I called it, Hard Work Café. He was so excited and couldn’t believe I had written a song. We went over the entire arrangement and then he spills it on me and says, “I think you’re ready” I’m like, HAH?? Ready for what?? He say’s, to join a band and of course my first response was AH-AHH....no way!!

 

Art has always told me that I have a good ear for music cuz I could follow a song to a T. I just love music period and I made it a point to always know the words by heart. After that day, I continued to write up more lyrics and melodies. We decide to move back to San Jose in 1996 and Art also decides to leave Mystique. He would then form the band the Kool Katz in October 1997.  We did our first show on August 3, 1998 at San Jose's Legendary Angelo’s Arena.

 

I’ll never forget that night. My first gig and I had bronchitis, a fever and strepthroat to boot!! My Brolette Vickie had to go and get me from the bathroom cuz I was too scared to come out. The next thing you know, Art was in there too and said (if you want to be a singer, you have to deal with these kind of things). Oh man, it was a packed house and I felt like crap, but the show had to go on, I couldn’t let anyone down not even the band. We worked really hard for the show so I sang my gut and heart out. A huge success it was and we all had a great time.

 

Art and I put our heads together and wanted to create songs with a Latin passion of the 70’s. We both loved those years in our life and we were inspired by so many musicians like Santana, Azteca, Malo, Sapo, Tower of Power, Chicago and Average White Band just to name a few. We thought what better way to express our songs than by the sounds we loved when we were younger. It was also a good feeling to know that we were doing this together as husband and wife.

 

Art has this very unique and creative way of playing his guitar. I am so in AWE whenever I hear him. I could be walking down the street and hear a guitar playing and I will know its Art right away. The way he comes up with melodies never seizes to amaze me. All he has to do is strum a note or come up with a quick melody and I can instantly write a verse to a song. He is a wonderful guitar player and performer. I’m much honored to share the stage with him.

 

Every song we write has a story behind it. Whether it is something that happened to me, Art, a friend, a loved one or maybe even you, that’s what we like to write about. I like to be real and true with my words and Art plays every lick of his guitar with such passionI. You'll notice the word LOVE a lot in our songs.  I believe I "Kelly" write that way  because love was  never a word that was used as I was growing up. I want people to feel the passion when I sing and I hope that they can relate to my words as I do when I sing them.

 

We thought of the name Kool Katz because of a tiger our daughter Mary had. It was black and white. I looked at it and said “hey, that’s a cool cat” and whah-lah! Mary said that would be a good name for the band and so we did.

 

Years go by along with many, many, many gigs  then we happen to meet a new friend in 2006 named Ron Moton. He is the Saxophone player for the group/band Con Funk Shun. We hired him to do more than a few shows that consisted of our original and cover music. We developed a very good and personal relation with Ron. We were even honored to attend the renewing of his vows at his house for his wedding.  Ron is now the Kool Katz Musical Producer. To this day, we are all still good friends. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For so many years Art and I tried to come up with a genre for our original music that people would be able to connect and relate with. First there was Kool Katz "Latin Razz" then "Latin Pazazz" then "A New Chicano Groove." Ron has always asked us, hey so what do you guys think your music is about or what style are you going with? We told him, well....our originals are different and have a variety of sound from Pop to Rock to Neo Soul and more. We said as long as they have the Latin vibe and sound that we grew up with we'll be happy. 

 

Well one day back in 2008 we were all sitting around at Ron's studio after recording and Ron tells us he has the perfect genre name for our group.  We were very excited and were like, ok what is it and he says "Latin Bounce!" We all looked at each other and said Yeah! That was a great day for us. We were very excited about "Latin Bounce"and satisfied to finally know we can distinguish our new sound with a new genre. Thanks Mr. Ron Moton!!!! We love yah! 

 

So on that note, we write and compose tunes with the early 70’s flavor of Latin Rock, R&B, Pop, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Dance, Neo Soul, World and Jazz with a twist of our own rhythms we call Latin Bounce.

 

1st cd released by Kool Katz in 1998 was a single introducing our San Jo trademark song “Your love just moves me” and “I will do most anything”

 

2nd cd released by Kool Katz in 2000 was

“Me Gusta Como Bailas”

 

3rd cd released by Kool Katz in 2005/2006 was a single called "The Boot" with musical guests Tower of Power horn Section

Emilio Castillo – sax: 
Stephen 'Doc' Kupka – baritone sax: 
Tom Politzer – lead tenor sax:

Adolfo Acosta – trumpet, flugelhorn;

Mike Bogart – trumpet, trombone: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th cd Kool Katz released in 2010 "Turn It Up! Latin Bounce”

with special guest performances including; Christina Torres (Mike Torres Band) on Timbales, Tetsuya “Tex” Nakamura (WAR, 44’s, Los Suspiros, Monte Carlo76’s, Mr. B & The Stingers) on Harmonica, Ron Moton (Con Funk Shun) on Saxophone, Frank Bailey (MALO) on Trumpet and Dale Villavicencio (Tierra) on Timbales, Congas and Percussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ART GALVAN KOOL KATZ FOUNDER AND BAND LEADER 

Feel free to email us with any comments or questions and to stay in touch with the band at:

 

koolproductionz@gmail.com

thekoolkatzband1@aol.com

 

Kool Katz "Latin Bounce" music here on these links:

http://www.facebook.com/KoolKatzBand

 

http://www.reverbnation.com/koolkatz

http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/TheKoolKatz

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/koolkatzband

 

The Finest in Musical Pan Dulce, Vol. 1 by Various Artists including the Kool Katz.

© Copyright - Gozando with Chico Presents / Suave Grooves Records (822701158381)

 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gozandochico

4th cd by Kool Katz released in 2008/2009 "A New Chicano Groove" was a 6 track limited edition cd written by Art, myself and our music producer, Ron Moton, sax and vocals from the group Con Funk Shun.

 

6th cd was produced as a compilation from Erik Chico Manqueros of Sauve Grooves Records called CD Musical Pan Dulce Volume #1 “2010”

“I Will Do Most Anything” Track

For all theses years I have been performing all over with my husband Art and I have learned so much about the music industry. I have met so many wonderful and talented musicians and people along the way.

 

I never had the urge to do this, perform, it wasn't my passion at all but I can remember a phrase that Art said to me back in 1997. He said, you'll know when your ready for this, you'll know if its singing you want to do. The way you'll know is when you are on stage and your singing your heart out, your going to get a certain rush through your entire body. Its like you get chills all over and all this adrenaline fills every cell of your being.  The minute you open your eyes and come back down to earth is the minute you can say, I LOVE THIS!!! Next thing you know, you'll be booking show after show.

 

I had that rush and its been almost 16 years since then. I am so happy and honored to be in the Kool Katz and to be by my hubbies side all the while. I am blessed to have a God given talent to bring my voice to you! With all my love to all our Kool Katz Fans, Kelly "The Kat" Galvan.

ART GALVAN BIO

Guitarist, composer, arranger, Arthur Galvan has roots in both Latin Rock and Jazz circuits. Born in Gilroy, California, and raised in San Jose, CA, Art began playing the guitar at the age of ten. Through self-study and private lessons, Art was quick to pick up the playing styles of legendary jazz along with rock & roll players of the day.

 

 

Through his private lessons, Art soon realized he had an ear for the art and decided to continue learning on his own. Art formed his first band at the age of 12-called Art y Los Pisanos. The band became one of San Jose’s best Latin bands of all time. With sold out shows, people would come from all over California and Texas to see his group.

 

 

Art y Los Pisanos released their first single original called La Inflacion. Art y Los Pisanos sold over 4000 copies. His group stood together for ten years and from then on, Art performed with many well-known groups. Currently, Art performs alongside with his wife in his group, the Kool Katz.

 

Arthur has released 4 CDs on Art’s label, ANK Records; all four received national radio play and press. In addition to leading his own Latin Bounce group the Kool Katz, he’s been working on his Fifth cd with his wife and very special guest musicians soon to released in early 2014.

 

Art wrote one of his originals entitled Gozando with Chico for the online radio show East LA Revue. To date, its been played as their opening theme song and has received great reviews and hits from people all over the world!

 

Art has performed solo and in duo and group settings regionally and around the country at clubs, festivals, and concerts as well as live TV and Radio appearances throughout the United States.

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