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Draga's Dragons, Everywhere, USA
We welcome back Bob Draga’s soaring melodies, inspired improvisations and rich tones. In performance, he and 'his friends' cover music, ranging from ragtime to stride, ballads to bounces, and a surprise or two thrown in! Experience the delightful work and simpatico of a quartet featuring gifted, emotional players with a touch of stand up comedy?
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Tom Rigney & Flambeau, San Francisco, USA
Flambeau specializes in fiery Cajun and zydeco two-steps, low-down blues, funky New Orleans grooves, and heartbreakingly beautiful ballads and waltzes. Most of the repertoire is composed by Rigney, but they also mix in a few classics from the Cajun/zydeco/New Orleans songbook. And if, along the way, you pick up a trace of Rigney’s Irish roots or a little Swing and roots Rock and Roll, it just makes the musical gumbo that much tastier. In the past few year’s Rigney’s skills as a composer have broadened and deepened, and he is today writing some of the most evocative and uplifting music you will hear anywhere. And Rigney’s charismatic stage presence and high-energy delivery draw the audience into his performances and make them feel that they are an integral part of the music and the show
More info: Tom Rigney |
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Cornet Chop Suey, St.Louis, MO, USA
Visit their website at Cornet Chop Suey
These seven multi-talented musicians will give you an exciting traditional jazz and swing show presented with gusto and enthusiasm every time. Relative newcomers on the traditional jazz scene, they have enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity and are now considered one of the top festival bands in the U.S. With at least a century of songs in their repertoire, from the rags and Dixie of the early 1900'sto contemporary jump, jazz swing and some original material, their high energy front line and powerful rhythm section produces an exciting new sound and approach that is a proven crowd pleaser.
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Big Bang Jazz Band, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Big Bang Jazz Band, is a traditional jazz band based in and around Vancouver,
British Columbia. They are a talented group of young musicians who are
committed to continuing the tradition of authentic early jazz, while
bringing their own unique style to the music.
Big Bang Jazz Band,
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Gene Hardy and the
Pip-Squeek Orchestra,West Coast and East Coast, Canada
The Pip Squeek Orchestra is a moldy fig high wire act featuring an engaging posse of instrumentalists. They astonish, baffle, surprise, and foremostly, entertain with their 2nd line shennanigans and unforgettable performances of Hot Jazz, Dixieland, Swing, Ragtime, Cajun, Zydeco and Blues music. The Pip Squeek Orchestra harvests all the chestnuts and moldy figs: standards, weepers, favourites, show tunes & requests.
Check out Their Website for more information and song samples.
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Lance Buller, Guest Artist, Tacoma, WA. U.S.A.
A regular at the Pentastic Jazz Festival, Lance has been invited for thethird time as a special solo artist.
Lance was named "most outstanding musician at his high school". In college he started playing with the top rock, jazz and Latin groups in LA. He joined the AFM at the age of 20 (just a few years ago!!!) and almost immediately hit Vegas working the Dunes and Aladdin Casinos. He worked with Little Anthony, Bob Marley and at 24 began a long association with The Beach Boy which included 5 albums and tours to Europe, Australia and of course the U.S.
His recording career, which began in 1974, includes 24 albums, including 5 with his own band The Monarchs. He prefers being on stage in a performing capacity and is often featured with show-biz Greats. "There is nothing like being up there with a hot band behind you and a great crowd to entertain. That’s why I’m here!"
Visit his website at Lance Buller
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Blue Street Jazz Band, Fresno, California, U.S.A
The Blue Street Jazz Band has been a major force on the Dixieland jazz circuit for a number of years. Founded in 1983 by trumpet player Forrest Helmick and currently under the leadership of trombonist Dave Ruffner, the band has been one of the most innovative groups in traditional jazz. Original songs and creatively conceived arrangements have been the hallmark of the band along with the musical expertise displayed by each individual member on their respective instrument
Check out Their Website for more information and song samples.
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Your Father`s Mustache Band, Denver, CO, U.S.A
Thei music is the music of an uncomplicated time. A time when you could make a buck and spend 100 cents of it. Inflation was what happened to a fairground, balloons, and election promises. A big missile threat was the kid who put rocks in his snowballs, and the arms build-up went on in the local gym. So, WHY WORRY? You could quaff a schooner of suds for a buffalo head nickel, smoke a fine Havana for the same price, and listen to great music.
For almost 30 years the Your Father;s Mustache Band has been a mainstay in the Denver Jazz scene
Check out Their Website for more information.
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The Night Blooming Jazzmen, Claremont, California, U.S.A
The Night Blooming Jazzmen (NBJ, or "Nightbloomers") is a traditional, or dixieland band, formed in October 1975 . There were very few jazz bands in existence then – not enough to put on a festival. The NBJ was started as an ad-hoc "pick-up band." It was not expected to survive – but the NBJ were so well-received and had so much fun that they stuck together. Since then, they have played thousands of concerts, church services, funerals, house parties, grand openings, jazz clubs, wedding receptions, dances, etc
Check out Their Website for more information.
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Gator Beat, Sonoma, California, U.S.A
The Gator Beat Band plays their own brand of South Louisiana dance music. They combine Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans Funk rythmns, keeping audiences dancing at festivals and parties from Louisiana to Las Vegas, to the West Coast and Canada. Now in their 18th year of performing, they deliver a powerful exhibition of talent, groove, and showmanship. It's a band with a beat that bites!
Check out Their Website for more information.
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Jerry Krahn Quintet, All Over, U.S.A
Swinging, intimate, rural, and sophisticated guitar sounds are what you will hear from acoustic archtop guitarist Jerry Krahn. Jerry brings his no-amps acoustic archtops to the stage and studio in the styles of early jazz guitar masters Eddie Lang and Django Reinhart. His arrangements of 20’s and 30’s jazz and pop standards are inspired and fresh sounding. Jerry carries these guitars into the 21st century with soulful versions of contemporary jazz, folk and personal compositions combining styles of Joe Pass, Chet Atkins, Pat Metheny and George Benson.
Check out Jerry Krahn for more information.
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Cactus Jazz Band, Penticton, BC, Canada
The Cactus Jazz Band is a group of professional musicians from the Penticton area who enjoy performing old jazz standards and dixieland numbers. The group’s members have had extensive professional musical careers throughout Canada and the U.S. Great band for dancing and listening.
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Joel and Louise Schwarz, Vancouver, BC, Canada
These two will amaze you with their swinging moves. Charlestons, Peabody and lots more. Get up early on Saturday morning and take lesson with them and maybe you could be a feature at the festival too!
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