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Hall of Fame for the ‘Boogie Cat’
Favorite local bluesman Norman Sylvester honored
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The Oregon Music Hall of
F am e has nam ed P o rtlan d
bluesman Norman Sylvester to
its Hall of Fame.
Sylvester, also known as the
Boogie Cat, and his band, has
been together since 1984, deliv
ering good-time original blues
music around the northwest at
both clubs and festivals.
He has been featured on over
a dozen records, including on his
own Boogie Cat Productions la
bel and the Rose City Blues
Festival album. He has also been
a great supporter of community
projects and events, where he
and his band help spread good
will through their music. H e’s
also a winner of several Cas
cade Blues Association Muddy
A w ards, including the Back
What You Believe In award.
S y lvester’s professional ca
reer stretches back to 1963.
Since he first began to perform
both in church and com m ercial
venues with his friend and gui
tar teacher Isaac Scott, he has
co n stantly honed his guitar
playing, singing and song w rit
ing skills.
Sylvester formed the band
Rated-X in 1969 and released
one single. By the late 70s, he
had sat in with Buddy Guy and
Albert Collins, both of whom
encouraged him to devote him Boogie Cat’ Norman Sylvester will be inducted into the
self to a full time career in music. Oregon Music Hall o f Fame.
Bom in Bonita, Louisiana in Hill and Bobby Rush.
the always evolving art form.
1945, Sylvester’s earliest musi
As Sylvester grew as a musi
His gift for coming up with an
cal influence came from hearing cian, he came to have a clear original melody and a strong
gospel singing in church and blues vision of what his band should rhythmic groove is coupled with
sung by itinerant performers in sound like. He is committed to a knack for putting into words
the community.
playing music that can only be ideas that many people share but
He grew up hearing and learn defined as blues, but not limited few can express. While some of
ing to love the blues of Albert to any particular narrow style his numbers are strictly dance
King, Freddie King, M uddy defined by purists, always incor floor celebrations, most of his
W aters, Bobby Bland, Little porating his own wide range of songs examine personal relation
Milton, B. B. King and Albert influences.
ships; love and loss; studies of
Collins, as well as the great soul
To Sylvester’s way of think social and political issues and the
singers Sam Cooke, Johnny Tay ing, being part of the blues tradi ways individuals can strive to
lor, Tyrone Davis, and Otis tion requires obtaining a deep bring about change.
Redding along with more mod understanding and appreciation
The Oregon Music Hall of
em funk of James Brown, Sly for the previous and contempo Fame award ceremony is sched
Stone, Parliament, Lakeside, the rary blues masters, and then uled for Oct. 8 at the Newmark
Gap Band, Johnny Watson, Z.Z. adding his own contribution to Theatre, downtown.