BANDS AT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR

BUCK CREEK

Springfield, Virginia

Despite their tuba-banjo instrumentation, this is no two-beat Dixieland band. Their repertoire is peppered with the sounds of New Orleans, Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. And they lean toward a four-beat rhythm with an emphasis on ensemble and harmony.

CLUB 7 JAZZ BAND

Eugene, Oregon

They are young, still within college age. That’s reason enough to go hear them. They offer reassurance that the music we love will live on. Led by clarinetist Michael Almich, they come to us with an unreserved recommendation from that titan of the reeds, Bob Draga. They feature the music of the ‘30s and ‘40s with occasional forays into jazz’s earlier heritage, especially the blues.

CRAZY RHYTHM HOT SOCIETY ORCHESTRA

Cypress, California

The dancers love them, but you don't have to be a dancer to enjoy them. Listen. They recreate impeccably the sounds of the '20s, the rhythms, the harmonies. This is different from the brass band sound of Dixieland - different, but equally exciting.

NEVILLE DICKIE

London, England

If you heard him last year, there is no need to tell you how good he is. He is rated as one of the best stride and boogie-woogie pianists in Europe. Even so, you'll find him gentlemanly, self-effacing and subtle in his playing as well as his manner. Listen carefully for little surprises. They are worth it.

YVE EVANS

San Bernardino, California

A consumate song stylist, she sings ‘em her way. She's great in an intimate setting where the love and admiration of her fans inspire her. Yve's remarkable vocal range, sassy wit and charm have made her a favorite of jazz fans across the nation.

FULTON STREET JAZZ BAND

Sacramento, California

Time and the band have changed since the mid-70s when they used to get together in pizza parlors to learn "swing." Today, they are one of the hottest and most knowledgeable Chicago-style bands on the circuit. But they haven't lost their pizza-parlor fun-loving spirit.

MIKE HENEBRY ORCHESTRA

Los Alamitos, California

Mike's book includes more than 2400 authentic big band arrangements from the '40s and '50s. More than 300 are originals from the Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw libraries. Another 800 are note-for-note transcriptions that Mike meticulously copied out himself. With them, this band of talented musicians recreates an era of wonderful dance and listening music.

HIGH SIERRA JAZZ BAND

Three Rivers, California

One of the half-dozen hottest bands on the festival circuit, High Sierra epitomizes the spirit of America. The drummer is native American; the trombonist, Japanese-American; the clarinetist Dutch-American; the tubist, an all-American cowboy; and the other three - well, they play jazz. And you can't get more American than that.

INDEPENDENCE HALL JAZZ BAND

Louisville, Kentucky

With more than 300 songs in its repertoire, this two-beat band covers a wide range from Jelly Roll Morton to more contemporary Dixieland songs. It has existed since 1997, shortly after leader Doug Finke returned to jazz after a 32-year layoff to follow his business career.

IVORY & GOLD

Mystic, Connecticut

Charming. That's the comment usually heard following a performance by this husband-and-wife duo, pianist Jeff and flutist Anne Barnhart, Not the least fun is watching drummer Danny Coots sneak peeks at Anne's music to see what is coming up next.

JEAN KITTRELL AND THE RIVERMEN

St. Louis, Missouri

Headed by the exhuberant pianist Jean Kittrell, this band plays catch-as-catch-can unarranged jazz in the spirit of Louis Armstrong's All-stars and Eddie Condon's small groups. Only Jean and bassist Red Lehr remain from the original group established in 1982 by the St. Louis Jazz Club, but today's members keep the excitement hot, hot, hot!

LE JAZZ HOT

San Francisco, California

Think of the smoky jazz clubs of Paris in the '30s as well as the refined lounges of the Hotel Ritz. This group keeps alive the gypsy-guitar music of the Hot Club of France. No, not just keeps it alive, but moves it forward with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions.

MIDIRI BROTHERS

Mays Landing, New Jersey

Although the Swing era was dominated by the big bands, there were many trios, quartets and other small ensembles that utilized the rhythms and repertoires of the time. You'll hear echoes of Benny Goodman's and Artie Shaw's small groups when the brothers perform. Echoes, not recreations. They do it their way.

NEW WOLVERINE JAZZ ORCHESTRA

NSW, Australia

These Aussies celebrate the music of Bix Beiderbecke and the bands with which he played. When possible, they play restored vintage instruments of the Bix era. Occasionally, for a change of pace, they'll toss in an Australian tune. This year marks New Wolverine's third visit to Orange County, a tribute to how much the fans enjoy their music.

NIGHT BLOOMING JAZZMEN

Claremont, California

Only leader Chet Jaeger is left of the original band established 33 years ago, but the present crew is about as good as they come. Three reasons leap to mind for not missing them: Brad Roth's banjo pyrotechnics; Jim Richardson's two saxes together; and Dick Doner's crooning. And, oh yes, Chet's laconic humor.

PARIS WASHBOARD

Paris, France

Because of the economic situation - something to do with the exchange rate - we thought we would never be able to present this French quartet again. But here they are! If you think you don't like washboards, they'll change your mind. The French have laid the washboard on its back and mounted gongs, cymbals and woodblocks on it. The result is a performance that ranks with that of any classical typanist. Combine that with one of the greatest jazz pianists anywhere and a classical trombonist, and you get great music and style.

TITAN HOT 7

Nashville, Tennessee

Loose - that's the word for the Titans. Anything can happen and usually does at one of their sets. But don't think of them as just a bunch of funny guys. They are all extremely talented. They can rip of a crowd-rouser at breakneck speed, then turn around and strike deep into your emotions. They have played all but the first of our festivals and their sets are always crowded. There is no need to say more.

TITANIC JAZZ BAND

Burbank, California

This is a Southern California band, yes, but they aren't here because they save transportation costs. We'd want them if they came from afar. They serve up lots of Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and all of the New Orleans classics as well as tunes from all of the classic jazz repertoire.

WE THREE

Mystic, Connecticut

Is it possible to be both rousing and intimate at the same time? These three irrepressible refugees from the Titan Hot 7 do a good job of it. We can't tell you what you might experience at any of their sets. No one can. Not even the three of them.