Dave Fleschner presents Norman Sylvester

Hosted by Dave Fleschner

Thursday, May 1, 2025

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Meet the band:

• Norman "The Boogie Cat" Sylvester – Guitar/Vocal
• Rob Shoemaker – Bass (for the last 25 years!)
• Frankie "The Funk Master" Redding – Keyboards
• Peter Moss and Renato Caranto – Saxophone (Optional Player)
• Paul "The Grove Machine" Shoemaker – Drummer

Dave Fleschner on keys, Dan Gildea on Guitar, and Charlue Doggett on drums – have been making music together for decades. This trio begins the evening with a range of optional tunes from Dave's catalogue, as well as a variety of blues, funk, soul, and jazz classics.

They will be joined by their special guest: Norman Sylvester

Norman "The Boogie Cat" Sylvester was born in Bonita, Louisiana September 16, 1945. He and his family boarded a Union Pacific Train for work in the Northwest in the Fall of 1957 when he was 12 years old, but his family's Southern Traditions have never left him. The Boogie Cat totally dedicated to the soul healing force of music.

Norman is a "family and community first" musician. He has mentored many young talents in our area, Patrick Lamb, Gretchen Mitchell, Jolie Clausen, Joseph Konty, Alden Harris and Gunnar Roads to name a few. He teaches through grants and Ethos "A History of American Music" in our local schools. Sylvester and his band also use their power of music to perform for many benefits, charities and individuals in need.

The Norman Sylvester Band started performing in the Portland Area in 1985!

Norman Sylvester "The Boogie Cat" was Inducted into the Oregon Music Hall Of Fame on October 8, 2011 at the Newmark Theater in Portland, Oregon. This honor has given the Boogie Cat a new surge of energy. Norman released a new CD of 10 original songs "Blues Stains on my Hands", a tribute to all the Pioneers of Blues who traveled the Chitlin' Circuit keeping the Blues and It's History alive.

Norman is one of the most engaging showmen around the Northwest. Weddings, festivals, corporate parties and club venues all call on his band for spectacular music and entertainment! Influenced from his Southern Baptist early years and the Gospel Quartet his father, Mack Sylvester, toured with (they were as sharp with their fashion as they were in their harmonies), these examples show in Sylvester's own performance. There is the work for the paycheck and the work for your passion. Norman's music is most definitely his passion! The Boogie Cat has paid his dues and now is living his dreams.

The new CD release "Blues Stains on my Hands" is making waves with music lovers in the USA and overseas. We are proud of the CD project and we hope you have a copy in your home.

Recording Credits:

• 1987 – "Rose City Festival" / LP (Compilation)
• 1990 – "On the right track" / CD on the Boogie Cat Label
• 1994 – "It ain't Nothin' But a Party" / CD Candlelight Label
• 1999 – "Best of Museum After Hours" / CD (N/W Compilation)
• 1995 – "Habitat for Humanity" / CD
• 1995 – "The House that Music Built" / (N/W Compilation)
• 2001 – "All my Friends can Sing" / CD Criminal Records (Compilation)
• 2001 – "Portland's Best Blues" / CD Raw Records (Compilation)
• 2001 – "Live from Portland Saturday Market / CD (Compilation)
• 2003 – "A Family Affair" / CD on the Boogie Cat Label
• 2008 – NW Tribute to Ray Charles/Patrick Lamb Productions
• 2010 – The Norman Sylvester Quartet/ 2 song CD Preview Release

Put your Hands in the Air – Like you just don't care and ROCK with the Band!

The Boogie Cat is your Friend!

Tickets: 

General Admission – $15 online, $20 door 

• Underage seats are available. Please indicate when purchasing tickets.

Whole Series – $120

• All 9 shows included. 

All ages. Tickets are non-refundable.