Album Notes

Tucats is a duo of Paul Petersen on guitar and vocals and Michael Strautman on saxophones.

In the summer of 1997 Paul moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, from his hometown of Cape Town, South Africa.

Having played music since the age of 13, Paul envisioned doing the same in the United States. In late fall 1997, Paul was asked to play with the Lost River Cave Big Band. It was at his first practice with the band that Paul met Michael. At that time Michael, originally from Ohio, was a sophomore majoring in musical performance at Western Kentucky University. Paul was getting together a solo gig and knew that Michael's saxophone would be the perfect addition to his sound.

Thus began the musical relationship of Paul and Michael, as they played weddings and private parties.

For two years they performed together and without a name. In the fall of 2000, Paul and Michael were offered the job of house band at the Cumberland Grill in Bowling Green. At this point they had a growing fan base and had to come up with a name, some form of identification. "Tucats" was the name they chose By then Paul and Michael had recorded on several CDs of other musicians, but never their own CD as a duo. Fans were asking for music of the band, and none were to be had.

One groupie suggested a Christmas CD. When Tucats began recording their Christmas CD, the music was to be traditional Christmas carols. However, Paul and Michael couldn't stop with plain traditional songs. Their creativity got the best of them.

They added their own flare: Paul's Cape Town jazz beat and Michael's Kentucky jazz groove. Every song became a new challenge, trying out new and exciting rhythms and arrangements. As Paul said, "This CD took on a life of its own."

One thing is for sure: It's Christmas like it has never been heard before.

With elements of jazz, pop, folk, and latin rhythyms, may this CD become a part of your traditional holiday celebration, Christmas Like Never Before.