The golden age of the vocal duet is back...

Hey Boy! Hey Girl! is a brand new live show and album of classic girl/ boy duets performed by ‘The Godfather of Swing’ Ray Gelato and  American songstress Kai Hoffman accompanied by The Ray Gelato Giants.

Due for release by Double Scoop Records on 14th March 2011, the album features 16 classic vocal duets including Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “The Lady Is A Tramp” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”

Hey Boy! Hey Girl! was conceived on the eve of 2010 when Kai was invited to join Ray and his band downstairs in Ronnie Scott’s.

Hailing from Massachusetts, Kai Hoffman has been a resident at Ronnie Scott’s since 2008 with her band Kai’s Cats. Kai and her cats are prolific performers at London’s premier lindy hop swing dance clubs and festivals and feted venues such as Proud Cabaret. Kai also presents her own show ‘Live And Let Jive’ on Ronnie Scott’s radio and hosts her own night by the same name at the legendary jazz venue.   Originally training as a classical musician, at The Manhattan School Of Music, Cologne’s Hochschule Fur Musik and The Royal College Of Music,  Kai has played with musicians such as Nigel Kennedy, Jamie Cullen and Cleo Lane.

Ray Gelato is considered by many to be one of the last in a long line of classic jazz entertainers and a true showman.

In addition to regular headline slots at ‘Ronnie’s’, Ray has also performed throughout the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Brazil at prestigious venues, festivals and events such as The Blue Note (NYC), Edinburgh Festival, VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, Proms In The Park, Montreal Jazz Festival, Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding, The Ritz London for HM The Queen and opened for Robbie Williams at The Royal Albert Hall.  Recently Ray headlined the 1940’s Torch Club at the inaugural Vintage At Goodwood Festival held in August 2010.

His multiple award nominations include BBC Radio 2 Jazz Awards, Jazz Artist Of The Year, Best Of Jazz, BBC Radio 2 ‘Heart Of Jazz’ Award.  In 2007 Ray won Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Award for ‘Best UK Small Band’.

To celebrate the release of Hey Boy! Hey Girl! appropriately Ronnie Scott’s will be hosting an exclusive invitation only album release party on Wednesday 2nd March, where Kai and Ray will perform a selection of tracks from the album.   

For invitations, please contact  julia@peculiar.me.uk