China Cats Unplugged

This is the only time in the last 15 years that the China Cats, Santa Cruz’s own Grateful Dead cover band will be playing acoustic at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on April 18, 2025. Tickets are $24 for a general admission dance ticket and $28 for a seated ticket in the front four rows. And, this will be a benefit for the Soquel Elementary School Music program;

The music program at Soquel Elementary School is an integral part of every child's education from pre kindergarten through fifth grade. Our school community represents children from diverse populations including multi-language learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and we know that our music program provides an equitable experience for all our students. All students sing, dance, compose, improvise, play instruments and perform. Every student is engaged, challenged and encouraged to express their unique creativity.

San Jose Mercury News:

“Every time The China Cats play a song, it’s a new experience. We’re not playing the 1973 version of the song or the ’79 or the ’92 version. We’re playing the 2025 version of the song," Hartle said. "On these tunes, anything can happen. There are certain things that are specific, and certain things that are wide open to interpretation. It’s never about going back. It’s always looking to the present moment that we’re having."

This show will be different than an electric China Cats dead show with acoustic instruments being utilized to bring out a completely different feel for the music. Once in a while, the Grateful Dead would pull out an acoustic show and the fans are always so appreciative of the experience!

Opening the show will be The Buffalo Blues Trio paying homage to female blues artists from the 1920's - present times. Songs made famous by Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, and more, all tell a story and remind us that everybody gets the blues, we are all in this together, and music heals by giving a voice to our deepest feelings. Diane Bock - upright acoustic bass, and ukulele bass Ramon Marc Butler - acoustic guitar, resonator, and harp Michele Murphy sings the blues

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