Twin Cats prowl on the funky side of jazz

The music of quintet Twin Cats -- (from left) Seth Catron, Cameron Reel, Adam Catron, Phil Geyer and Nick Gerlach -- "has a disco feel" with a touch of techno, Adam says. (Credit: Photo provided by Twin Cats)

Several years ago, twin brothers Adam and Seth Catron caught a James Brown show -- and their imaginations caught fire.

"We said, 'We need a band like this.' So we put together the band we have now," said Adam by phone recently, speaking of the Twin Cats.

With a CD due out on the local Owl Studios label in August and expanded touring prospects this year, the local jazz-funk quintet encompasses both laid-back and in-your-face styles it can tailor to the engagement at hand.

Rob Dixon, who produced the band's studio sessions for Owl, likes its musical profile. "They're a great group," he said, "with a good sense of harmony. The songs are very complex, yet they have catchy melodies. They approach the music on a rhythm section that's in a 1970s funk style."

"We're more on the funk side of jazz," Catron explained. "It's a fine line: We don't play enough jazz clubs to be considered a jazz group."

A Dec. 27 gig at the Jazz Kitchen was a notable exception.

Outside Indianapolis, where the Catrons have been active musically since 1998, the Twin Cats have gradually become known at jam-band festivals.

"We try to kind of keep it simple and on the dancy side," the 25-year-old drummer continued, describing a book that's mostly original. "We've really picked a style that's not quite jazz, not quite funk, kind of has a disco feel. Danceable stuff -- almost techno-ish."

Keyboard player Phil Geyer sometimes layers sounds behind his bandmates instead of matching melodies or harmonies.

Nick Gerlach, on saxophones and flute, adds the component of horns that excited the Catrons about the Brown performance. Other band members are Cameron Reel, bass guitar, and brother Seth, guitar and vocals.

"It was a great opportunity for me to work with these guys," Dixon said. "They have great natural instincts."