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The type of music that Le Chat Lunatique plays is a combination of Gypsy
Swing, Western Swing and anything else that they damn well please! Filthy,
Mangy Jazz is their forte! All of this madness came about due to John Sandlin
and Muni Kulasinghe's mutual love for the great Hot Club of France, a gypsy
swing group from 1940's Paris, which included the combined genius of Django
Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. Jared Putnam's western swing background
has fused itself into the mix and given them a fine repertoire of classic western
swing tunes. In addition, Fernando Garavito's latin background has seeped into
the rhythmic palette and given them a formidable groove.
Le Chat Lunatique’s new CD “Demonic Lovely”, just released in February
2008, was nominated for SEVEN New Mexico Music Awards and won ONE for
Best Jazz Song- miss lady. They were just voted “Best Band Over-All” and “Best
Jazz Act” in the Weekly Alibi’s 2008 Best of Burque issue AND “Best Local
Band” and “Best Jazz Act” in the Local iQ’s 2008 Smart List. They were also
voted “Best Jazz Act”; in the Weekly Alibi's 2007 Best of Burque issue. They
received an Editors’ Pick and given the title “Best Cool Cat Gypsy Jazz” in
Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2007 Best of the City issue”. They also won the
2007 New Mexico Talent Showcase in the Jazz/blues/gospel division. They have
opened for Asleep at the Wheel, The Hot Club of San Francisco, and The
Djangomatics. They recently composed and performed the music for a new play
called Flamingo/Winnebago which was premiered in Philadelphia. In October
2007, John Sandlin organized the 2nd Annual New Mexico Django Fest which
was met with great acclaim, and brought great artists such as Howard Alden to
Albuquerque.
Swing, Western Swing and anything else that they damn well please! Filthy,
Mangy Jazz is their forte! All of this madness came about due to John Sandlin
and Muni Kulasinghe's mutual love for the great Hot Club of France, a gypsy
swing group from 1940's Paris, which included the combined genius of Django
Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. Jared Putnam's western swing background
has fused itself into the mix and given them a fine repertoire of classic western
swing tunes. In addition, Fernando Garavito's latin background has seeped into
the rhythmic palette and given them a formidable groove.
Le Chat Lunatique’s new CD “Demonic Lovely”, just released in February
2008, was nominated for SEVEN New Mexico Music Awards and won ONE for
Best Jazz Song- miss lady. They were just voted “Best Band Over-All” and “Best
Jazz Act” in the Weekly Alibi’s 2008 Best of Burque issue AND “Best Local
Band” and “Best Jazz Act” in the Local iQ’s 2008 Smart List. They were also
voted “Best Jazz Act”; in the Weekly Alibi's 2007 Best of Burque issue. They
received an Editors’ Pick and given the title “Best Cool Cat Gypsy Jazz” in
Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2007 Best of the City issue”. They also won the
2007 New Mexico Talent Showcase in the Jazz/blues/gospel division. They have
opened for Asleep at the Wheel, The Hot Club of San Francisco, and The
Djangomatics. They recently composed and performed the music for a new play
called Flamingo/Winnebago which was premiered in Philadelphia. In October
2007, John Sandlin organized the 2nd Annual New Mexico Django Fest which
was met with great acclaim, and brought great artists such as Howard Alden to
Albuquerque.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Sri Lankan parents, Muni Kulasinghe spent his formative school
years in the sunny southwest and summers sojourning in serendipitous Sri Lanka. At 7 years old, he
began the violin because he wanted to be like his older sister. By 18, in addition to tripping with
aforementioned parentals, he’d traveled extensively with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, including
destinations like London and Mexico City. He even, to his own shock and awe (and a bit of horror), had
been selected as a senior concerto winner where he performed in front of 2,000 of his closest friends at
the University of New Mexico’s Popejoy Hall.
At Colorado College, he was lucky enough to fall in with the Bowed Piano Ensemble, a well known group
in the world of experimental music, with whom he toured much of Western Europe (twice!). In Oslo,
Norway, during their first tour they were even on the same bill as Herbie Hancock! (He still shakes his
head in amazement.) Mr. Muni also spent a semester in London to play the lead in a professional
production of an original adaptation of Kafka’s Amerika. After university, young Muni went adventuring to
Tunisia, where he played with jazz guitarist Faouzi Chkeili, and various rock and funk bands infused with
North African sensibilities; at one point he even gave a solo concert at L’Etoile de Nord.
Upon his return stateside, he rejoined friends in the Buntport Theater in Denver, with whom he put on
plays, including a comic musical re-working of "Titus Andronicus", for which he wrote and played most of
the music. He also rejoined another friend, Thaddeus Phillips of New York, to create and perform “The
Earth’s Sharp Edge” at La MaMa Theater in NYC and the Painted Bride in Philadelphia (among other
venues). For one year he again left these august shores to play gypsy swing in Montpellier, France. He
learnt a great deal about cheese, wine and not brushing his teeth. At present, Muni can be found in
Albuquerque once again, engaged in studies of Ethnomusicology at UNM and playing dirty, filthy, mangy
and lascivious Gypsy Swing with the ever so lovely Le Chat Lunatique
years in the sunny southwest and summers sojourning in serendipitous Sri Lanka. At 7 years old, he
began the violin because he wanted to be like his older sister. By 18, in addition to tripping with
aforementioned parentals, he’d traveled extensively with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, including
destinations like London and Mexico City. He even, to his own shock and awe (and a bit of horror), had
been selected as a senior concerto winner where he performed in front of 2,000 of his closest friends at
the University of New Mexico’s Popejoy Hall.
At Colorado College, he was lucky enough to fall in with the Bowed Piano Ensemble, a well known group
in the world of experimental music, with whom he toured much of Western Europe (twice!). In Oslo,
Norway, during their first tour they were even on the same bill as Herbie Hancock! (He still shakes his
head in amazement.) Mr. Muni also spent a semester in London to play the lead in a professional
production of an original adaptation of Kafka’s Amerika. After university, young Muni went adventuring to
Tunisia, where he played with jazz guitarist Faouzi Chkeili, and various rock and funk bands infused with
North African sensibilities; at one point he even gave a solo concert at L’Etoile de Nord.
Upon his return stateside, he rejoined friends in the Buntport Theater in Denver, with whom he put on
plays, including a comic musical re-working of "Titus Andronicus", for which he wrote and played most of
the music. He also rejoined another friend, Thaddeus Phillips of New York, to create and perform “The
Earth’s Sharp Edge” at La MaMa Theater in NYC and the Painted Bride in Philadelphia (among other
venues). For one year he again left these august shores to play gypsy swing in Montpellier, France. He
learnt a great deal about cheese, wine and not brushing his teeth. At present, Muni can be found in
Albuquerque once again, engaged in studies of Ethnomusicology at UNM and playing dirty, filthy, mangy
and lascivious Gypsy Swing with the ever so lovely Le Chat Lunatique
Guitarist John Sandlin has been playing music for seventeen years. He received his Bachelor of Music
degree in Classical Guitar Performance in 2003 from the University of New Mexico. During that time, he
studied with the great Michael Chapdelaine, former student of Andres Segovia. In addition to classical
guitar, John studied jazz guitar with Michael Anthony, 25-year Los Angeles studio veteran and local jazz
hero. John also had the great opportunity to be exposed to many styles of jazz playing in UNM Jazz
Bands under the tutelage of Glenn Kostur.
John has played with many local groups over the past decade. The Melizmatix, a lounge-y funk trio, have
been the Reptilian Lounge House Band at the Tricklock Theatre Company for five consecutive years. In
addition, The Melizmatix held down a weekly happy hour gig at the swank OPM nightclub in downtown
Albuquerque. The Sidestreet Strut Swing Sextet, featuring some of Albuquerque’s great young jazz
players, has been a usual staple at the Tuesday night Swing Dance hosted by Desi Brown of the
Primordial Swing Dance Group. Out of this band, John and tenor saxophonist Starr Vavreck formed The
Sandlin and Starr Jazz Duo. The Duo has opened for many acts in the Popejoy Lobby, including Ahmad
Jamal, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Al Dimeola and Manuel Barueco, The Benny Goodman Orchestra, and
others.
John also has a great love for reggae music and is a former member of the dub reggae group Sub
Agencia. Members included Otto Barthel, former member of the popular local group Giant Steps, and
former member of the world famous U.K. ska band The Specials, "Aitch" Harrington "Charlie"
Bembridge. Sub Agencia’s highlights include opening for The Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Andrew
Tosh, and The Easy Star All Stars. In a brief trucker country stint, John played guitar in the enormously
popular Breaker 19, which makes a couple of surprise appearances a year.
Upon making the acquaintance of jazz violinist Muni Kulasinghe, John was able to tap back into the jazz
influences of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. They
started a formidable repertoire of gypsy swing music. Drummer Fernando Garavito and Bassist Jared
Putnam soon materialized to form Le Chat Lunatique. The rest is future tense…
degree in Classical Guitar Performance in 2003 from the University of New Mexico. During that time, he
studied with the great Michael Chapdelaine, former student of Andres Segovia. In addition to classical
guitar, John studied jazz guitar with Michael Anthony, 25-year Los Angeles studio veteran and local jazz
hero. John also had the great opportunity to be exposed to many styles of jazz playing in UNM Jazz
Bands under the tutelage of Glenn Kostur.
John has played with many local groups over the past decade. The Melizmatix, a lounge-y funk trio, have
been the Reptilian Lounge House Band at the Tricklock Theatre Company for five consecutive years. In
addition, The Melizmatix held down a weekly happy hour gig at the swank OPM nightclub in downtown
Albuquerque. The Sidestreet Strut Swing Sextet, featuring some of Albuquerque’s great young jazz
players, has been a usual staple at the Tuesday night Swing Dance hosted by Desi Brown of the
Primordial Swing Dance Group. Out of this band, John and tenor saxophonist Starr Vavreck formed The
Sandlin and Starr Jazz Duo. The Duo has opened for many acts in the Popejoy Lobby, including Ahmad
Jamal, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Al Dimeola and Manuel Barueco, The Benny Goodman Orchestra, and
others.
John also has a great love for reggae music and is a former member of the dub reggae group Sub
Agencia. Members included Otto Barthel, former member of the popular local group Giant Steps, and
former member of the world famous U.K. ska band The Specials, "Aitch" Harrington "Charlie"
Bembridge. Sub Agencia’s highlights include opening for The Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Andrew
Tosh, and The Easy Star All Stars. In a brief trucker country stint, John played guitar in the enormously
popular Breaker 19, which makes a couple of surprise appearances a year.
Upon making the acquaintance of jazz violinist Muni Kulasinghe, John was able to tap back into the jazz
influences of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. They
started a formidable repertoire of gypsy swing music. Drummer Fernando Garavito and Bassist Jared
Putnam soon materialized to form Le Chat Lunatique. The rest is future tense…
Jared Putnam was born in the great borough of Manhattan. After several years spent in bohemian
errantry, he finally settled in New Mexico, where he now lives with his wife Monica and son Jack. He
started playing electric bass at age 13, and soon after cultivated an intense interest in “death metal”. By
the end of high school, however, his interests had broadened to include prog-rock, classic rock, jazz,
world music, et cetera. Jared graduated 4th in his high school class and was thus issued a
scholarship to the esteemed “University of New Mexico”. Upon hearing this news, he was heard to
exclaim, “Oh”. While at UNM, Jared studied upright bass with Mark Tatum and composition with Dr. Bill
Wood. Jared played in jazz combo, jazz band and orchestra. His talents were also called upon by the
Santa Fe Symphony and the Roswell Symphony.
Upon almost but not quite graduating, Jared took a job playing bass with Albuquerque’s own “Mr.
Guitar”, Hector Pimentel. Several months later, he went to work for Syd Masters and the Swing Riders, a
band that specialized in western swing and cowboy songs. He played with this group for six and a half
years, during which time they made four recordings, won 3 New Mexico MIC awards, were nominated
for several awards from the Western Music Association, played for President Vincente Fox of Mexico,
Prince Andrew, Governor Richardson, Dennis Hopper and Patrick Swayze, made a TV commercial for
the New Mexico Lottery, opened for Willie Nelson, Ian Tyson, Riders in the Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown,
Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, and played hundreds of trail rides and festivals across the western U.S.
They were country legend Lynn Anderson’s band for most of 2003. He now brings his knowledge of jazz,
western swing and composition to the dynamic sound of Le Chat Lunatique.
errantry, he finally settled in New Mexico, where he now lives with his wife Monica and son Jack. He
started playing electric bass at age 13, and soon after cultivated an intense interest in “death metal”. By
the end of high school, however, his interests had broadened to include prog-rock, classic rock, jazz,
world music, et cetera. Jared graduated 4th in his high school class and was thus issued a
scholarship to the esteemed “University of New Mexico”. Upon hearing this news, he was heard to
exclaim, “Oh”. While at UNM, Jared studied upright bass with Mark Tatum and composition with Dr. Bill
Wood. Jared played in jazz combo, jazz band and orchestra. His talents were also called upon by the
Santa Fe Symphony and the Roswell Symphony.
Upon almost but not quite graduating, Jared took a job playing bass with Albuquerque’s own “Mr.
Guitar”, Hector Pimentel. Several months later, he went to work for Syd Masters and the Swing Riders, a
band that specialized in western swing and cowboy songs. He played with this group for six and a half
years, during which time they made four recordings, won 3 New Mexico MIC awards, were nominated
for several awards from the Western Music Association, played for President Vincente Fox of Mexico,
Prince Andrew, Governor Richardson, Dennis Hopper and Patrick Swayze, made a TV commercial for
the New Mexico Lottery, opened for Willie Nelson, Ian Tyson, Riders in the Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown,
Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, and played hundreds of trail rides and festivals across the western U.S.
They were country legend Lynn Anderson’s band for most of 2003. He now brings his knowledge of jazz,
western swing and composition to the dynamic sound of Le Chat Lunatique.
Fernando Garavito was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. At the age of 18, he moved to the United
States with his family, initially to Maine and two years later to New Mexico where he now lives. Son to a
writer and a ballet teacher, he was surrounded by music and the arts since an early age. He began by
playing piano at the age of 8, and at 12 he moved towards the study of drums. At first, self-taught, he
learnt mostly by listening to a great variety of musical genres. Being influenced by pop, rock, funk, heavy
metal, ska, reggae, and his native traditional music, he developed a good versatility in switching
between different musical settings. He also sought more formal instruction. He took two years of drum
lessons from a Cuban drum master residing in Colombia, Fran Calzadilla, while participating in
multiple ensembles and putting all his learnings into practice.
He was formally introduced to Jazz upon his arrival to the US in 2002. He enrolled in the jazz studies
program at the University of Southern Maine, and studied under the mentoring of drummer Les Harris Jr.
He was involved in many musical ensembles, predominantly jazz-oriented, performing at recitals and at
local venues. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the summer of 2004, where he continues the
study of music. Now, together with guitarist John Sandlin, violinist Muni Kulasinghe, and bassist Jared
Putnam, he performs with Le Chat Lunatique.
States with his family, initially to Maine and two years later to New Mexico where he now lives. Son to a
writer and a ballet teacher, he was surrounded by music and the arts since an early age. He began by
playing piano at the age of 8, and at 12 he moved towards the study of drums. At first, self-taught, he
learnt mostly by listening to a great variety of musical genres. Being influenced by pop, rock, funk, heavy
metal, ska, reggae, and his native traditional music, he developed a good versatility in switching
between different musical settings. He also sought more formal instruction. He took two years of drum
lessons from a Cuban drum master residing in Colombia, Fran Calzadilla, while participating in
multiple ensembles and putting all his learnings into practice.
He was formally introduced to Jazz upon his arrival to the US in 2002. He enrolled in the jazz studies
program at the University of Southern Maine, and studied under the mentoring of drummer Les Harris Jr.
He was involved in many musical ensembles, predominantly jazz-oriented, performing at recitals and at
local venues. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the summer of 2004, where he continues the
study of music. Now, together with guitarist John Sandlin, violinist Muni Kulasinghe, and bassist Jared
Putnam, he performs with Le Chat Lunatique.
