​ ​Felix & the Cats

Right in the birthplace of Swing, Felix & the Cats was founded in 1994 by band leader Felix Endico in Harlem, New York.  In the beginning, self-taught pianist Felix Endico studied with Duke Elllington’s organist “Wild Bill Davis”, arranger of the Count Basie version of “April in Paris," and even sat in with Erskine Hawkin’s band, of “Tuxudo Junction” fame and the last to play the Savoy Ballroom.



Influenced by both R&B legend Jimmy “Preacher” Robins as well as Red Blazer regular Sol Yaged (“The Benny Goodman Clone”), Endico formed Felix and the Cats. The band’s vision drew heavily from both of these men’s styles and featured musicians that remain true to the art of Swing.

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Today, the Cats’ Big Band musicians join with young Swing Turks from the Juilliard Jazz program, transporting audiences back in time to the New York and Chicago jazz clubs of the 1930’s. Their book includes arrangements from the Henderson Brothers, Jimmy Mundy and Sy Oliver, originators of the Big Band sounds of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw.



While their passion is Swing, Felix’s seven member band has built a diverse catalog over the years to include Blues, R&B, Latin and Rock. They were featured in the Spring 2006 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  Felix & the Cats have charmed audiences at venues such as Well’s of Harlem, The Rainbow Room and Swing 46, which have claimed Felix & the Cats as their house band over the past 15 years.