The Swongos are a three piece instrumental Surf Band from the St. Croix River Valley on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. In addition to Surf Music, they have many styles of music such as Spy, Exotica, and Indie Rock sprinkled in their songs and sound. The Swongos are influenced by traditional surf music like Dick Dale and the Ventures but also groups such as the Pixies, and Los Cubanos Postizos. While playing live the Swongos show not only their strong talent and musicianship but also their “nice guy next door” personalities.

Vocalist Kat Sherman has been a crucial presence on the Eau Claire music scene for more than two decades, performing in a wide variety of styles and venues, and maintaining an active teaching studio in piano and voice. Having formed the successful and sought-after jazz trio, Kat and the Hats, she is continuing her exploration of the jazz idiom in a new duo with Paul Hecht. Hecht is a jazz pianist who emerged recently from the Chicago jazz scene where he maintains several active groups and projects. In Eau Claire, he is a frequent collaborator with bassist Jeremy Boettcher, and has recently formed a new trio with Twin Cities musicians Graydon Peterson on bass and Pete James Johnson on drums

Join Sue Orfield, Josh Gallagher, and Jeremy Boettcher for an exciting trio playing a range of jazz music and Sue’s originals.

Cathy (Otterson) Herndon has the unique ability to please audiences anywhere with her crystal-clear voice and refined touch at the piano. Cathy grew up in Strum, Wisconsin where she learned to play several instruments as a child. During high school she was a member of the acclaimed musical group, THE KIDS FROM WISCONSIN. After earning her degree in music on saxophone and clarinet at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she spent several years as a professional woodwind player. While working as a saxophonist on a cruise ship, she began singing in public for the first time. The sure phrasing and improvisational skills developed during her saxophone years can be heard in her singing today. Since beginning her solo career, Cathy has been an innovator. Her tasteful addition of the synthesizer to the traditional solo piano sound must be heard to be believed. Countless times listeners in the next room have assumed they are hearing an elegant trio. They are always amazed when they find that it’s one person making so much beautiful music. After moving to the New York area in 1989, Cathy became a prolific songwriter. Throughout her career, many of Cathy’s fans request her original songs that are beautifully performed on her CD called, FOR YOU MY LOVE, nearly as often as the other great music she performs. Cathy’s talents have taken her to several corners of the world. For nearly two decades, Cathy performed at the Rihga Royal Hotel and the Ritz Carlton-Battery Park in New York City. These experiences, along with thousands of hours at the piano singing to discriminating audiences, have molded her into a world class artist. Whether performing jazz, Gershwin, Porter, Broadway favorites, or the finest music of today, Cathy has a graceful way of touching her audience, leaving them with the feeling they’ve made a new friend.