About Us
Dedicated to live performance
The Bayou City Jazz Band is a professional jazz ensemble presenting sophisticated, immersive live jazz for clubs, lounges, listening rooms, restaurants, private events, and cultural venues. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of mid-century jazz clubs and the refinement of modern urban style, the band creates an atmosphere that enriches the guest experience, invites patrons to linger, and elevates the identity of the venue. Our offering is live jazz music—performed with discernment, professionalism, and an intuitive understanding of how sound enhances ambience while engaging an audience.
Bayou City Jazz Musicians
Cindy Thomas - vocalist
Mike Calcagno - bass guitar
Cindy Thomas - vocalist
“Local Diva” Cindy Thomas is a consummate entertainer. With over 38 years of experience, Cindy began her career in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. She studied ballet, sang in school and church choirs, attended Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory as a music major, and studied drama, winning lead roles in high school, college, and summer stock
“Local Diva” Cindy Thomas is a consummate entertainer. With over 38 years of experience, Cindy began her career in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. She studied ballet, sang in school and church choirs, attended Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory as a music major, and studied drama, winning lead roles in high school, college, and summer stock productions.
After working as the featured vocalist in restaurants and clubs from Cleveland to Erie, PA, Cindy struck out on her own, accompanying herself on guitar.
After moving south to Houston in 1978, she went on the road for two years, traveling a four-state area encompassing Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
Back home in Houston, she has built quite a following after a seven-year stint at The Quarters Piano Bar in Seabrook and long-term engagements at South Shore Harbour Resort, What’s Cooking, Ambiance & Spirits, Sundance Grill, Mainly Drinks, Allegria Wine, and Cock & Bull British Pub—to mention just a few.
In response to popular demand, four CDs have been released, the most recent in 2013.
With the versatility to perform everything from show tunes and light opera to pop, rock, country, jazz, and Celtic music, Cindy has never yet failed to please her audience and was voted “Best Female Vocalist” by Bay Runner Magazine for 1995 and 2002!
Louis Leonhart - guitar
Mike Calcagno - bass guitar
Cindy Thomas - vocalist
A professional musician for over 30 years, Louis has had the opportunity to perform in prominent venues all over the world and has opened and toured with a variety of well-known performers and musicians to include performances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz festival, and X-Fest. He studied Music Performance and Jazz
A professional musician for over 30 years, Louis has had the opportunity to perform in prominent venues all over the world and has opened and toured with a variety of well-known performers and musicians to include performances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz festival, and X-Fest. He studied Music Performance and Jazz at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks under prominent educator and trumpeter John Harbaugh before enlisting in the U.S . Army in 2001. Over the years, Louis has performed with countless musical acts, has developed music curriculum for academic institutions, and has worked as a music educator.
Mike Calcagno - bass guitar
Mike Calcagno - bass guitar
tom badalament - piano and organ
Born and raised in the birthplace of jazz, the city of New Orleans, Mike first began playing and performing as a woodwind musician (clarinet and saxophone) in high school and college. While in college, he performed with the University of New Orleans Jazz Band.
Later in his musical career, Mike transitioned to electric bass, which felt ve
Born and raised in the birthplace of jazz, the city of New Orleans, Mike first began playing and performing as a woodwind musician (clarinet and saxophone) in high school and college. While in college, he performed with the University of New Orleans Jazz Band.
Later in his musical career, Mike transitioned to electric bass, which felt very natural and proved to be an easy transition. In 2010, he relocated from the Big Easy to the Bayou City.
Mike has performed with numerous bands, including the Crescent City Big Band, the Lone Star Big Band, the Horizon Band, the Profiles, the Dukes of Sounds, Exuberance, Just Doin’ It, and others.
tom badalament - piano and organ
tom badalament - piano and organ
tom badalament - piano and organ
Bio coming soon
scott conti - drums
tom badalament - piano and organ
scott conti - drums
Scott Conti is a professional drummer and percussionist with over 40 years of live performance experience across jazz, Latin, rock, funk, blues, and worship music. Based in the Houston area, he is known for his solid time, musical sensitivity, and stylistic versatility.
Scott has performed with jazz trios and quartets, Latin rock and Santa
Scott Conti is a professional drummer and percussionist with over 40 years of live performance experience across jazz, Latin, rock, funk, blues, and worship music. Based in the Houston area, he is known for his solid time, musical sensitivity, and stylistic versatility.
Scott has performed with jazz trios and quartets, Latin rock and Santana-style tribute bands, classic rock and funk projects, and contemporary worship teams. His credits include touring and television appearances with Junior Brown and performances with the Americana Orchestra and Big Band aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Denver and is committed to serving the music and connecting with audiences.