Chicago’s neo-vaudeville crew the Claudettes support new CD
When pianist Johnny Iguana formed the Claudettes with drummer Michael Caskey in 2011, the group — performing at the Blue Note Bistro in Miamisburg on Friday, April 14 — specialized in strippeddown instrumental boogie-woogie blues.
That sound was captured on the Claudettes’ debut, “Infernal Piano Plot … Hatched!” (2013), but Iguana began to bristle at the limitations of a twopiece. The group enlisted singer/dancer Yana for the album, “No Hotel” (2015), but that collaboration was short lived.
In 2016, Iguana completely revamped the Claudettes as a neo-vaudeville outfit featuring Berit Ulseth (vocals), Zach Verdoorn (guitar, vocals) and Matt Torre (drums). The new lineup released the EP, “Pull Closer to Me,” in February.
Iguana recently discussed the unplanned evolution of the Claudettes.
TRY NOT TO STRESS
“Yana was a great entertainer on stage, but we had our own personal problems so we parted ways. To be honest, that caused some tension and Michael was having trouble dealing with that. He’s probably the busiest musician in Chicago, and some people just like to get stress out of their lives, so he left. He and I are still really chummy and we loved playing together but that situation sort of obliterated that version of the Claudettes.”
A NEW BEGINNING
“It was kind of total teardown but I already had a ton of compositions and arrangements. Luckily for me, I live in Chicago and I’ve played in a lot of groups so I know a lot of musicians. I decided I wanted great players and singers but as much as that, if not more, I wanted people in the band with me that have a great energy and that I want to be with. I anticipate this being good for my heart health. As I get a little older, that’s important stuff. You have to try to enjoy life and not have to go visit the doctor and tell them you’re having irregular breathing. Stress, that’s what that is.”
SHARING A VISION
“Everything is written by me on the piano and I ask the other people to play my concept. I want everybody to express themselves on their instruments and with their singing but with my concept in mind. I had material but I also started writing for these people. I had to figure out what they do well and how they can best express themselves honestly. It came together pretty easily. I’m really lucky because everybody in this band is talented and they want to be traveling, playing music and being the best they can be.”