Kittyhawk

Kittyhawk is a jazz-rock band that emerged in the late 1970s. The band was formed after Daniel Bortz and Paul Edwards, both Chapman Stick players, met at Emmett Chapman's home in Los Angeles in 1977. They began performing as a duo in Southern California clubs before expanding into a full band with the addition of Michael Jochum on drums and Richard Elliot on saxophone and Lyricon. Kittyhawk's music is characterized by its unique blend of jazz and rock, with a focus on composition rather than improvisation. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1980, features a melodic jazz-rock style and showcases the versatility of the Chapman Stick. The band went on to release two more albums, *Race for the Oasis* (1981) and *Fanfare* (1984), before fading from the spotlight.

Kittyhawk's sound is often compared to artists like Pat Metheny, and their music has been praised for its strong compositions and arrangements. The band members have pursued various musical paths since their time together. Richard Elliot went on to have a successful solo career and played with the Tower of Power Horns, while Michael Jochum did session work for several notable artists. Daniel Bortz and Paul Edwards continued to explore the Chapman Stick and other touch-style instruments. Despite their relatively short time in the spotlight, Kittyhawk remains a notable example of innovative jazz-rock fusion from the late 20th century.