Dancing Cat Records was founded in 1983 by pianist George Winston. His goal was to record both the musicians who have influenced his music and musicians whose music he felt needed to be preserved for future generations.
In 1985 Dancing Cat began releasing solo guitar recordings by Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete, classical guitarist Michael Lorimer, and guitarist George Cromarty, as well as the classic 1974 ROCK 'N' ROLL GUMBO album by the New Orleans R&B pianist rofessor Longhair; and also albums by New Orleans songwriter Shad Weathersby, and singer Sylvia Kohan. Dancing Cat also released the soundtrack to the children's story THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, with narration by Meryl Streep and solo piano accompaniment by George Winston.
Dancing Cat then began focusing on recording the masters of the beautiful fingerstyle solo guitar tradition from the Hawaiian Islands known as ki ho'alu , or Slack Key guitar. This material became Dancing Cat's HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR MASTERS SERIES.
As of 2009, Dancing Cat has produced 39 recordings in the ongoing HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR MASTERS SERIES, the first of which was released in April of 1994, and more are planned. The guitarists recorded to date include: Keola Beamer, Bob Brozman, the late Sonny Chillingworth, Cindy Combs, the late Barney Isaacs, Ledward Kaapana, George Kahumoku, Moses Kahumoku, Ray Kane, Dennis Kamakahi, Ozzie Kotani, George Kuo, the late Leonard Kwan, James Bla Pahinui, Cyril Pahinui and Martin Pahinui.
Seven recordings have been on Billboard's World Music Chart, with the HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR MASTERS INSTRUMENTAL COLLECTION making it to 4. Six recordings have won Hawaii's annual Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Instrumental Album of the Year. The holiday compilation KI HO'ALU CHRISTMAS was awarded best Christmas Album in 1996.
