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Michele Peraino

"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."

About Me

I have been a working artist in the scenic and muralist/faux finish community for almost 30 years. I came back to singing after participating in an event we hold in our town. I would sing one or two songs with a bunch of other performers and musicians for a one night for an event in my town for 20 years. I didn't think I would go back to singing, and I had never considered being a lead singer. I preferred to be in the background creating the scenery for the performers. My inspiration to jump out of my shell was my kids. They were the performers, to me. However, one night after singing in the event I spoke of, one of the horn players after I had performed looked at me and said, “This is not okay anymore. You should start a band.” I looked at him like he was crazy. However, it seeded the idea. After talking to my husband, we decided to start the journey together. From September 2012 to March 2013 we honed our skills while meeting and finding other band mates, at the time we were 13. Our first 'Gig” was June 22nd at a friend's Fish Taco Party. I was struck with the sensation that this was the dream I had never considered dreaming, and the one that made my soul complete. A year later, I started writing songs. Then my husband started writing songs... then our friend and bass player started writing... We are some happy “Hep Cats'!

If you want to know more about our band, check us out at: www.swingthatcat.band

My Jazz Story

I have loved jazz since I was a little girl watching old movies, and seeing some of the greatest performers. My family did not listen to it on the radio or the car. It was something that I had to go out of my way for. I have met many jazz, swing, blues, and rock musicians. Each holds a special place in my heart. I don’t have a best show moment, not because I haven’t had one, instead because I have had too many to count. When you love music, you search it out. The first jazz record I bought was a Nina Simone cassette tape after purchasing a cassette tape player at 17. My advice to new listeners is jazz is not one style, otherwise it wouldn’t be called jazz. Be open. My favorite jazz era was between the mid '30s to '60s, and it is the reason my husband, Chris Peraino, and I started our band ‘Swing That Cat!’ When I write a new song, I have no choice other than to write and hear melodies in the style of that time frame. It is embedded in my soul.