Theatrical Gypsy Pop band

Three piece band from Riverside, CA

Musicians performing on stage at night: a female keyboardist, a male drummer, and a female double bassist.

Who We Are

Three friends hugging at a concert or party with colorful string lights and a stage in the background.

Crystal and the Sassy Cats, or The Sassy Cats for short, is a Riverside local band originally formed in March 2017. The band was founded by lead singer and keyboard player, Crystal Chavez, who has performed with several bands, from gypsy jazz to ska to country. She brings these influences into her writing and Sassy Cats Damian Aguayo (bass) and Robert Lenfestey (drums) contribute their ideas from their own musical experiences in a variety of genres; ultimately creating a fun, catchy, and unique sound. Their original music has elements of musical theater, gypsy jazz, and swing. The band consists of three main members and occasionally includes guest sassy cats.

Three musicians performing outdoors with a keyboard, drums, and upright bass, surrounded by decorations including a mosaic of locks on a tree, a large pair of drums, and various props.

Book us for your next event

Aside from local showcases, Crystal and the Sassy Cats have also performed at private events including fundraisers, weddings, and community events. Some notable events and venues include Redlands Artwalk, the OC Night Market, and Riverside Festival of Lights. They offer a set of 45 min of original music up to a 2 hour set that include curated cover songs.

A four-piece band performing on an outdoor stage with a pink banner behind them that has white Japanese characters. The band includes a saxophonist, a drummer, a keyboardist, and a double bassist. The sky is clear and blue.

Follow along and listen to our music

Since the pandemic, The Sassy Cats have taken a long hiatus from recording and performing together, but have recently reunited to finish their new album set to release this year, 2026.

Their first EP from 2018, Paper Tiger, has physical copies floating around somewhere, but is not available online. Follow us on Youtube to see past performances of our original music and on Instagram to stay updated with Crystal’s music that includes The Sassy Cats.