Elton John tribute act sticks with hits
A new Elton John tribute experience takes its maiden voyage at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
Elton Jeff and the Honky Cats (they get their name from the Elton John song “Honky Cat”) perform at 8 p.m. June 11.
Jeff Gajewski of Whiting portrays Elton John.
“We’re going to cover his entire career of what I think are the heaviest hitters of the Elton John catalog,” he said. “The Elton John catalog is huge. We’re going to cover music from 1971 beginning with his first hit, which was ‘Your Song,’ and we’re going to cover his latest, which was ‘Cold Heart’ (with Dua Lipa) in 2022.
“We’re going to bring a few behind the music facts about each of the songs that we’re performing,” he said. “We’re going to have video production going on behind us and we’re going to talk a little bit about the song. Hopefully fans will walk away a little bit smarter about the music of Elton John than they were before we started.”
With such a vast catalog, how do they create a set list?
“Selfishly, I get to pick my favorites,” Gajewski said, laughing. “I like to believe I picked the good ones. but I’m sure I’m going to hear I
missed a couple of deep cuts. But there’s only so many you can do in two sets. We think we’re going to do the heaviest hitters and everyone will be pleased with our selection.”
He said the show won’t always have the video production behind them so Memorial Opera House audiences are fortunate they get to see it.
The group has been “a labor of love,” he said, crediting bass player Jeff White of Crown Point with the idea behind the band.
“We’ve been talking about this for a couple of years and we figured the timing was right,” Gajewski said. “Musicians in general had to reinvent themselves during COVID. Many of us were thinking outside the box. Some moved into acoustic projects. The opportunity to bring Elton John’s music to the forefront here in northwest Indiana I think is ripe, especially given his final tour. Besides that … I think we’re really excited to do it.”
Members of the Honky Cats have played together in various iterations for years, so coming together as a band felt natural. Gajewski and White played together in the 1990s in a group called The Current. Lead guitarist Kurt Bonomo and his wife, vocalist Denise Bonomo, of Crete, Illinois, have been performing with Gajewski in an acoustic project called 2 Trailers Down.
“Kurt, Denise and I actually met at the Michigan City Campground,” Gajewski said. “We were two trailers down from each other.”
Andy Sutton of Crown Point is on the drums.
“Andy and I played together in Dick Diamond and the Dusters,” Gajewski said. “He’s still with the band and I just retired my character. I was Walter Melon.”
The horn section of the band is called, fittingly, The Brass Cats and consists of Fred Cantu on trumpet and fluegelhorn, Nick Roach on trombone and Ian Letts on saxophone.
Gajewski started organ lessons at age 5 and has played the piano professionally since he was 17. Billy Joel and Elton John were always influences.
“All things began with Elton John,” he said. “We’re very excited to be performing his music.”
They do wear costumes onstage — look for Gajewski in a gemstone blazer, fedoras, boas and trademark Elton John glasses.
Some of the songs that audiences will hear include “Benny and the Jets,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “Crocodile Rock,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Honky Cat,” “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Your Song” and an acoustic medley of songs John wrote and recorded for “The Lion King.”
“When you think about Elton John, it’s interesting to think how he continually reinvented himself and got an entirely new generation of fans,” he said. “He captured the Baby Boomers in 1971 with ‘Your Song.’ With ‘The Lion King,’ he got a whole new set of fans. And now this last hit with Dua Lipa. He’s just always reinventing himself.”
Gajewski hopes people will enjoy the show.
“It’s a great venue and we’re going to be bringing them some great music. And they’re going to learn a little bit at the same time,” he said. “This is a brandnew endeavor. We’re very excited.”