Artist ID: 13430
With recent performances in Las Vegas, New York City, Cabo San Lucas, and repeat shows at the 2003-2008 Kennedy Center Galas in Washington, Big Ray and the Kool Kats deliver the talent, professionalism, and excitement your event demands.
Named one of Modern Bride Magazines "Best Wedding Bands in America", Big Ray and the Kool Kats has the capability to perform literally thousands of songs, and most importantly, perform them with style and authenticity. From early evening dinner jazz & swing performed at a PERFECT VOLUME, so guests can talk, to the best in cross generational dance music when the party switches gears, Big Ray and the Kool Kats truly has a little something for everybody.
A crisp 4 piece rhythm section, 4 sizzling horn players, multiple lead male and female vocalists, all combine to bring a truly unique entertainment perspective to your event.
Led by trumpeter Ray Caddell whose live and recording credits include appearances with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, and dozens of other national acts and Broadway shows, Big Ray and the Kool Kats can bring the same level of excellence to your event.
Big Ray leaves nothing to chance in order to insure the smooth success of your event. From the early arrival of his uniformed set up crew, through the performance of that special song to make the day uniquely yours, BRKK deliver a performance so dynamic, so professional, and so responsive to your entertainment needs that you'll certainly join their roster of satisfied clients who book them again and again, year after year.
Big Ray and the Kool Kats. When only the best will do.
"After the wedding cake was cut and served, the festivities were quickly underway Big Ray and the Kool Kats kept everyone swinging from the first song until the last dance. "Evan and I love Frank Sinatra (our song is 'Fly Me to the Moon'), so our number one criteria when choosing a band was that they be able to pull off Sinatra believably. We also wanted them to have an extensive song list that would appeal to both our younger and older guests. Finally, they couldn't be 'cheesy', for lack of a better term!" In short, they didn't want the overzealous bandleader and emcee with the exaggerated vocal intonations that follow that particular occupation. "We were discussing all of our requirements during a planning meeting and the Farmington catering director suggested Big Ray and the Kool Kats. I was listening to their sample of 'New York, New York' when Evan came home from work a few days later and he thought I was listening to Sinatra himself. That pretty much settled it for us."
reprinted from 2008 Spring / Summer issue of Soiree Magazine
Big Ray was unquestionably the hit of the reception! And i say that presuming you know The Jefferson Hotel and what a magnificently beautiful setting that is - so you know it would be a high bar to get over in order to take our guests' attention away from it. Ray exceeded every requirement we had -- he was careful to play dinner music very softly, so we could all talk. His leadership set an elegant, classy tone. And as the night went on, he became more and more up tempo, to end the party - with all the young people out there on the dance floor -- playing exciting, fun music, non-stop. No one wanted them to leave for the night. He also remembered our conversations and offered plenty of wonderful Frank Sinatra for the parents of the bride. I understand that Chris, our groom, found Ray down at the hotel bar afterward, and threw his arms around him in gratitude for making their wedding even better than he could have imagined.
Every vocalist for the Kool Kats is so great -- I heard comments from guests of all ages as to their quality and musicianship. In every way, Big Ray far exceeded our expectations. All I want now is an invitation to an event where he'll be playing!
Norma J. Shore
Big Ray turned out to be everything you said he was... the consumate professional, extremely flexible, helpful and just an all around nice guy. The band was fabulous... I've never seen the LifeNet crowd enjoy themselves so much.
So, thank you for the recommendation that we use them at the LifeNet 25th Anniversary gala. I hope I have the chance to hire them again!
Judy Baker
Baker & Associates
September 21, 2007
Ray,
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!
That is all I can say about your part in making Paige’s wedding magical, fun, and more perfect than any of us could have dreamed of. Yes we had a beautiful venue, yes we had a beautiful bride, yes we had perfect weather but you are “A MASTER!!” As a semi-musician I appreciated the musical ability from the solo piano player during cocktails, through the combo during dinner, to the BIG CAHONES. Some can certainly equal the superb musical ability of your group; however, as a consumer, I have never seen a band read the crowd and keep the chairs empty from the first note to the two “ENCORES” you kindly played based on popular demand. We have had e-mails, cards, phone calls, and spontaneous plaudits for the beauty and fun of our wedding and one of the things mentioned most often and with great enthusiasm has been the quality and entertainment value of the band. We thank you not only for the very professional performance but even more for the “over-the-top” effort to make Paige’s wedding perfect. The band was not just “going through the mechanics” of a job, they really performed. Thank them all from all of the Perriellos and Shahs.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing you often. Many folks, local included, were interested in your band so hopefully you will get some local bookings out of our party. Please feel free to use us as a reference and/or to use any of our comments.
Perriello Wedding
Wedding
Ray,
I really wanted to send you a personal note, but time has escaped me…
I know this wasn’t the grandest event you ever played, but I can tell you that you and the rest of the group get an A+ for making our special day the best it could be! I wasn’t in charge of the hotel and meal, so little I could do about it’s deficiencies, but your band was AWESOME and more than made up for some other shortcomings!! I especially want to thank you for including Bob and Susie (my brother) into the fold.
I have already praised your talents to others…You made our wedding reception perfect!
Bless you and the rest of the KoolKats!!!
Arleen Yobs
Wedding/Bride
I hope your weekend was as great as ours!
The wedding at Farmington on Saturday was a smashing success thanks in a very large part to Big Ray and his very Kool Kats!! They were phenomenal!! You know I don't very often rave about the bands and I'm glad I don't because if I did you wouldn't get how much I loved them!! They had everyone on the dance floor right from the get go and it was standing room only the entire night! The Strickler's have already been in touch with me sharing how much they loved everything and Big Ray was at the top of their list. So many guests kept commenting on how much fun the band was which of course makes the family feel super. What a win-win event!
Ray did a terrific job of keeping the flow of events moving along too. Plus, he was so accommodating throughout the entire planning process. The bride had a lot of last minute requests including a highlighted play/don't play list that wasn't given to Ray until he was on-site---Yikes! But, Ray handled it all with aplomb. I was thrilled, thrilled, thrilled and definitely want to book them again ASAP.
Jennifer Carroll - Wedding Planner
Jennifer Carroll Events
Thank you, thank you for your recommendation of Big Ray and the Kool Kats for our daughter’s wedding reception. The key to any successful event is “calling the right people”. I knew which caterer, tent company, photographer, decorators, etc. to contact but had no idea where to begin to find The Right Band – a most important part of our evening. My friends more experienced in hosting wedding receptions referred me to you, assuring me that you would be a valuable resource. There was no way for me to know, even after our conversations by phone and email, just what a home run we were hitting in taking your advice to hire Big Ray.
Please realize that I am not an “event planner”, just a mother trying to plan the most important event of her daughter’s life! Ray assured me that he had received the bride’s wish list of songs and reassured me that he “knew what eastern North Carolina liked to hear”. He was most cordial and cooperative, immediately putting me at ease. His phone call letting me know he had arrived in our small town was a welcome touch to calm my jittery wedding day nerves.
Due to a transportation glitch after the ceremony, the wedding party was about 45 minutes late arriving at the reception. Our carefully arranged time frame was ruined, but Ray calmly got us organized and on the dance floor. From the first note, The Bride and our guests were thrilled. The song selection proved Ray was right when he said he “knew what to play for eastern NC”; his timing and personable ability to “work the crowd” were exceptional. I have only the highest praise for all the vocalists and the excellent musicianship of the band members. The dance floor was crowded all evening with every generation enjoying great dance music. It was a magical night for our family and friends, made even more so by the music of Big Ray and the Kool Kats.
I am happy to recommend the services of East Coast Entertainment and the wonderful music of Big Ray and the Kool Kats in the most glowing terms.
Anne Shelton Urquhart
Wedding
I have the pleasure of working with Ray and the Kool Kats for the April 14th Feldman-Steves wedding at Washington Golf & Country Club. As the person working with the family to "program" the entire wedding, it was particularly important to me that every detail and every plan be followed to the letter. We were striving for perfection. I was most impressed with Ray's flexibility and, I must say, patience before the event, as we worked through the details and the very last minute special requests from the bride & groom. Ray gave me confidence (that I could pass along to the happy couple) that we were in good hands.
On the wedding day, all arrangements made for set-up and such went exactly as scheduled. Of course, we expected the performance was exactly right -- from announcing the bride & groom, through low-key dinner music, up through the great get-the-crowd-to-its-feet dancing to be great, but it was even better than we hoped ... and, again, our bar was set pretty high!
Overall, I have to say that I was especially impressed with -- and very appreciative of -- the talent, experience, enthusiasm, and professionalism exhibited by Ray and his musicians. They made my job easier and, most important, made the happiest day of their bride & groom's life wonderful. I would hire them again in a flash.
Debby Brink
Wedding Planner
The band did GREAT! Our event committee knew how good they are from having seen them last summer-but everyone who came to the party was just blown away, and they all wanted to know how in the world we were able to have them! I can't say enough for Ray and how much he did to support our efforts. They gave us 100% and then some - even played while they were getting rained on from behind the bandstand. Aside from being great musicians, they were prompt, professional, fun and very interested in seeing us succeed. It was a real pleasure to work with them, and, I know they gained a lot of new fans in Staunton, VA.
Mary Timberlake
Fundraiser
Thank you all so much for your invigorating, fantastic talents that truly had everyone singing, dancing and smiling on January 17th in the Science Museum.
The Penguin Ball remembering the Tenth Anniversary of my Inauguration as Governor was perfect in all respects. Your song selections and quality were the best.
George Allen
United States Senate
Their rhythm, musical talent and great stage performance kept the joint jumping well past midnight! We would never have the party without them!
Yony McCloskey
The Kennedy Center Spring Gala Manager, 2003-2006
One of the very best wedding bands in America.
Modern Bride Magazine, January 2006
Ray, you could not have a more happy client - most importantly, you and all of the band clearly were friends and play with the energy and emotion to honor the wedding. We are greatly indebted. I talked to Steve yesterday and most certainly will comment in the most favorable way. I wish I had another daughter to bring you back for another event - who knows, they'll be other times.
Billy
Wedding
Thanks Big Ray! Everybody was completely blown away by you and your band. From the little old ladies to the youngest children - they all had a blast. Thanks again for making our wedding an event to remember.
Kevin Mock
Wedding
Thank you for making our wedding a day to remember. Everything about Big Ray & The Kool Kats were perfect! The music was amazing all agest loved it and danced the night away. Our first dance was perfect, ‘At Last’ was sung like magic. The way you moved the vents along and kept the evening going was wonderful. It was like having a band leader and event coordinator in one!
Elizabeth Ross Fitzgerald
Wedding
What can I say? You made the night! Thanks so much for the incredible job you and the Kool Kats did at Lance’s and my wedding. Thanks to you for keeping everything moving and organized. We really can’t thank you enough.
Sarah Ritchie Conrad
Wedding
Thanks for playing at our wedding. You made the reception into a truly memorable party. Midway through the event I took a moment to look around and was so excited to see almost everyone on their feet dancing, both young and old, single and couples. Everyone loved the music and to you I am truly grateful.
Jonathan and Kate Goodall,
Wedding
Just wanted to let you know how happy we were with you and your band. I believe the music makes the event (after the couple) and ours was all we hoped it would be!
Connie Miller
Thank you for making our daughters wedding such a tremendous success. Your music was wonderful and we really enjoyed it. My daughter and new son-in-law appreciated your band for picking up the arrangement and playing "Someone Like You." It was their special song they have enjoyed since they have met. Again, our thanks to you and your band for making this such a success.
Jack & Laura Dreyfuss
Wedding
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