A name is an important thing.

A local jazz foursome, The Honey Doos, is performing at Big Kahuna's in Auburn Friday.

But this is the last time they will play under that name. After Friday's show at the popular restaurant and nightspot, the band will be known as The Jazzcats.

Mike Burns plays electric bass, and the other Honey Doos are Mark Chitambar on guitar, Dick Howard Jr. on drums and Larry Camponelli on keyboards.

“It's going to be guitar-oriented, straight-ahead jazz,' we'll have some piano solos. Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, music like that,” said Burns. “We have a nice list of songs, so I think people will enjoy it every much.”

Burns said this particular lineup has been playing together for close to two years now, but has rarely played in public. Despite this being their coming out party, Burns said he and his mates won't be nervous, just anxious to play and have fun.

“We're all old pros, and have been at this a long time,” he said. “It's just a different style of music that we all wanted to get better at because jazz is very challenging. It's more open to interpretation and improvisation.”

Chitambar is a guitar instructor at Speno Music; Howard is the son of well-known drummer Richard Howard Sr., and Camponelli played with Burns at Big Kahuna's last Friday.

That gig was a “little difficult” with just a piano player and a bassist, Burns said.

“The whole show was on our shoulders. There's a lot of space in music. So, that was more daunting than going into this Friday with four people,” Burns said. “But we pulled it off. We did OK. Larry is a fine piano player.”

Burns praised Kahuna's owner Mickey Gauthier for taking a risky chance on live music in Auburn, something that has slowed to a trickle in recent years.

“I thank Mickey very much for that,” Burns said.

Gauthier also owns the Belvedere Lounge on State Street. Saturday, Burns will perform there with singer-songwriter John Reilly and his band - along with Jim Andrews and Billy Leonard. They'll play some Beatles covers, a few originals from Reilly and more early rock ‘n' roll pop songs that are so familiar.

And he speaks with enthusiasm and genuine gratitude as he recalls the many bands and players with whom he has been fortunate enough to jam.

“It's just amazing. I am truly blessed to have all these wonderful musicians and to be part of their groups,” Burns said. “But it's almost what you need to do today to stay active in music - you have to be part of many different styles of music so when that phone call comes in you're on the gig.”

During the week, Burns works in the assessor's office for the City of Auburn.

The name, the Honey Doos, came about when Burns was talking with a local promoter. Burns told him he was doing his “honey do this” list before the phone call. The wily promoter thought that would make a great band name, and promotional materials were distributed. Problem is, the time constraints kept the other band members from signing off on the name. And they were unhappy.

“The guys don't like the name Honey Doos at all. So that name is only going to be around for this one gig, and that's it!” Burns said.

He added, “We're The Jazzcats from now on.”

If you go

What: The Honey Doos

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Big Kahuna's, 17 Columbus St., Auburn

Cost: Free

For details: Call 253-6868