BANDS AT THE 2007 FESTIVAL

CRAZY RHYTHM HOT SOCIETY ORCHESTRA

Cypress, California

The key word to this band's success is "authentic." The eleven-piece orchestra plays the authentic arrangements that appeared on music stands in hotels and ballrooms several decades ago. When they play hot jazz, lowdown blues, swinging dance numbers, or novelty tunes, each will be played and sung exactly as they were in the '30s and '40. (Even their spats are authentic!)

NEVILLE DICKIE

London, England

We very proudly introduce Neville Dickie to Orange County Classic Jazz Festival audiences. For many years, he has been ranked among England's foremost stride and boogie woogie pianists. He has achieved international acclaim during hundreds of appearances throughout the world as a soloist and with his trio, the Rhythm Makers, which he formed in 1985. This is a rare opportunity to hear this famous artist appearing in a variety of settings during the festival weekend.

YVE EVANS

San Bernardino, California

We welcome Yve Evans back to our festival. This talented lady, leading a group of accomplished musicians, combines her skills as a singer, pianist, composer and arranger. While spinning her personal musical web around every number, Yve will caress the lyrics and embellish each melody with loving care.

MIKE HENEBRY ORCHESTRA

Los Alamitos, California

Sustaining the strong impetus of the Swing Era, this eleven-piece orchestra recalls a period when big band recordings sold millions of copies, and ballrooms throughout the country attracted large crowds when major traveling orchestras appeared. You can now dance to the same wonderful sounds when Mike Henebry's Orchestra plays the music of Glenn Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, etc.

HIGH SIERRA JAZZ BAND

Three Rivers, California

The tight sound of this veteran jazz band reflects their heritage that dates back over three decades. With many early members still on hand, their original sounds remain intact. The HSJB's hard-driving West-Coast style pleases the trad fans at their many festival and jazz cruise appearances. They remain, as always, favorites with the dancers.

IGOR'S JAZZ COWBOYS

Tempe, Arizona

This one-of-a-kind band, a blend of Country-Western and pure Classic Jazz, has headlined jazz festivals for many years. Leader Igor Glenn sports a handsome handlebar mustache, sings with a four-octive range, plays string bass, mandolin, banjo, piano, guitar - and leads a swinging jazz band. Their programs, always entertaining, also provide several educational glimpses into jazz history.

IVORY & GOLD

Mystic, Connecticut

Jeff Barnhart, the multi-talented pianist and co-leader of the Titan Hot Seven currently appearing here, joins his wife, Anne, a classically trained flutist. The name of their unique duet, Ivory and Gold, is a reference to their instruments. Her solid gold flute and his ivory piano keys will create some of the most ethereal sounds heard this weekend.

JAZZ'N BANJOS

Studio City, California

Imagine twenty stellar banjoists doing what they do best! The smiling faces on the large crowd they always attract attest to the individual and combined skills of Jazz'n Banjos. The banjo, an often maligned instrument, is capable of producing a variety of tones and textures. This group has devoted many years to create programs that feature their personnel playing music written especially for their instruments. Listen and enjoy!

JUMPIN' JOZ BAND

Los Angeles, California

This tightly compressed version of the Swing Era's Big Bands generates an accurate aural image of famed orchestras that kept America dancing during the '30s and '40s. Led by Gene Krupa-inspired drummer Jumpin' Joz, his group of top Southern California jazz musicians are dressed in the dapper vintage attire. They fashionably create a danceable combination of swing, jazz, and early R&B.

JURBENA JAZZ BAND

Tilburg, the Netherlands

Back in the '20s, the great King Oliver Jazz Band left a strong image that has influenced several generations of jazzmen. Two decades later, Lu Watter's Yerba Buena Jazz Band sustained the Oliver two cornet format and helped launch the world-wide jazz revival. In 1956, Vince Saunders formed the South Frisco Jazz Band that protracted Watters' efforts for another half a century. The Jurbena Jazz Band, in the Netherlands, now continues the musical odyssey playing the South Frisco's arrangements. ("Jurbena" is the Dutch translation of "Yerba Buena."

DAN LEVINSON'S CANARY COTTAGE DANCE ORCHESTRA

New York, New York

This unique combo is patterned after a little-known early New York group called the Frisco Jazz Band. The FJB made just a few recordings, the first jazz on the Edison label in early 1917 playing the style of dance music that existed while ragtime was evolving into jazz. This is our first opportunity to hear their spirited one-steps, two-steps, fox-trots, and waltzes popular during jazz's earliest years.

DAN LEVINSON'S ROOF GARDEN JASS BAND

New York, New York

The Roof Garden Jass Band is inspired by the Original Dixieland Jass Band that made the first jazz recordings and played a prominent role during the jazz era. That early New Orleans group introduced an entire repertoire to the American music scene. You will probably hear most of the bands on our current program playing tunes initially recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band - but the Roof Garden Jass Band's versions are accurate reflections of the ODJB's sound.

DAN LEVINSON'S SEVEN SONS OF ROSY

New York, New York

The 2002 Orange County Classic Jazz Festival was dedicated to the memory of the late Rosy McHargue. The members of this tribute band are all veterans of bands led by the legendary McHargue. During his long career, his influence impacted a broad segment of jazz history and the Sons of Rosy achieved their skillful status under his guidance. During this weekend, they will play Rosy's enduring arrangements while seated behind his original red music stands.

SONNY LEYLAND TRIO

New Cuyama, California

Each member of this talented trio, three generations after the jazz age, has an acute knowledge of the music's history and an insight into the styles and techniques of the many fine jazz artists that have preceded them. As a result, each performance by the Sonny Leyland Trio will probably include several numbers that few bands play - yet each is an accurate reflection of the many important musical elements created during the previous century.

MIDIRI BROTHERS

Mays Landing, New Jersey

Clarinetist Joe Midiri and his twin brother Paul Midiri, playing vibes, drums, and trombone, front one of the most entertaining groups on the festival circuit. They expertly showcase the music of Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Red Norvo, etc. While based on the original material, the talented brothers frame each number in their own manner reflecting the era but presenting the music in an up-dated fashion.

NIGHT BLOOMING JAZZMEN

Claremont, California

This very popular band, a perennial favorite at the Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, has a very special formula that involves equal parts of mirth and melody - and occasional mayhem! Their humorous moments never interfere with the dedicated gloss of their musicianship and the astute arrangements they have been playing for many years. Since they seldom repeat numbers during festival appearances, their dedicated fans attend many of their sessions to hear their favorites.

SISTER SWING

Sacramento, California

By combining their considerable vocal skills, these three talented ladies subtly transform the recorded hits of earlier generation distaff singing groups. While paying sincere tributes to an older style, they bring the honed harmonies of The Andrew Sisters and the Boswell Sisters brightly into the 21st Century. Their appearances here will evoke warm memories of an innocent era of glamor and romance.

TITAN HOT 7

Nashville, Tennessee

Festival audiences are aware that when leader-pianist Jeff Barnhart and master clarinetist Bob Draga merge their humor and musical skills, sparks will fly, and unexpected antics will warm the scene. When they add a cast of stellar players, well rehearsed arrangements, and appealing tunes, the Titan Hot 7 creates a unique combination that always attracts a capacity audience - so get there early.

TITANIC JAZZ BAND

Burbank, California

This band, rapidly becoming one of the most popular units in Southern California, includes well-known former members of several celebrated groups. They emphasize the bright West Coast brand of jazz that launched the world-wide revival in the early '40s. The Titanic cogently salutes that important era and also deftly explores the earlier sounds that influenced their predecessors.

WALLY'S WAREHOUSE WAIFS

Otisville, Michigan

Returning after their successful appearance here last year, the Waifs, a group of former New Reformation Band members, will again offer their spirited versions of tunes from the Ragtime Era, the Roaring '20s, the swinging '30s - and probably a few contemporary numbers. After all, their band motto is "Something for Everyone!"

WE THREE

Mystic, Connecticut

Having no relation to the Ink Spot's 1940 hit ballad, "We Three," this unusual jazz trinity includes eminent players on leave from the Titan Hot Seven, another feature at this festival. Free to explore their tendency to evoke occasional zany situations, We Three also balances every performance with evidence of their stunning musical skills. They astutely cover sixty years of choice music - but, if you are seated in the front row -beware of the custard pies!