Home » Jazz Musicians » Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats

Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats

Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats ("WELC") are a jazz fusion and jam band bringing elements of both into their unique live performance style, original compositions and unorthodox arrangements. Born out of the basements and dive-bars of Fells Point (Baltimore, MD), the Cats have evolved into an independent recording and live act with a fast growing following in the local mid-Atlantic music scene while also gaining international recognition since their debut studio release in 2020. They have released three studio albums and maintain regular residencies at local jazz and blues venues.

The band and members of the band have shared festival stages and music venues with jazz legends such as Bucky Pizzarelli and rock/pop greats Gin Blossoms and Eric Hutchinson.

Awards

Selected as Local Legend festival participation at Fells Point Fun Festival 2019

Nominated for 2021 London Music Video Festival for "Fantasy"

Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats: The Watermelon Sessions

Read "The Watermelon Sessions" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
December 20, 2023

Originally developing from rock music, jam bands have become a unique genre of music. Considering the improvised nature of the music, it is hardly surprising that many jazz artists have become major players in the jam base. Groups such as Snarky Puppy and Medeski, Martin and Wood have embraced the genre while keeping true to their jazz roots; Baltimore's Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats is also no exception. Although firmly rooted in jazz, the group also incorporates some of the jam band ...

"Their arrangements are beautiful, intricate jazz arrangements, which utilize the buttery saxophone, the celestial keys, the energetic drums, the honeyed guitar....There is a depth, not only to their powerful compositions, but to their imaginative lyrics and titling of songs, that shows a band that is at once serious about life and enjoying themselves thoroughly along the way." - Prism Reviews for The Watermelon Sessions (2023)

"'Love Lost on a Bar Napkin' represents the band’s ability to create soul-stirring melodies and intricate guitar work