Lance Buller, Tacoma, WA, USA
Lance Buller Website
A regular at the Pentastic Jazz Festival, Lance has been invited for the fifth 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 Boys 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 onstage with a hot band behind you and a great crowd to entertain. That’s why I’m here!"
Cornet Chop Suey, St.Louis, MO, USA
Cornet Chop Suey Website
The band's unique front line with Brian Casserly on trumpet, Tom Tucker on cornet, Jerry Epperson on reeds, and Brett Stamps on trombone is driven by a powerful rhythm section consisting of Paul Reid on piano, Jay Hungerford on bass and John Gillick on drums.
Best known for a wide variety of styles, Cornet Chop Suey applies its own exciting style to traditional jazz, swing, blues, and "big production" numbers. Every performance by Cornet Chop Suey is a high-energy presentation and is a memorable experience for the audience
Tom Rigney & Flambeau, San Francisco, USA
Tom Rigney Website
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.
Gator Beat, Sonoma, CA, USA
Gator Beat Website
Gator Beat, the West Coast's hardest hitting Zydeco, New Orleans R&B band is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, high energy concert and dance band. They are known as "The Band With A Beat That Bites". That is because Gator Beat Band has what it takes. With the same survival instinct as its namesake, Gator Beat continues to adapt itself to its audiences, always with something fresh yet true to its calling. That calling is to represent the music of South Louisiana in all its forms, Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans style. They have the talent and diversity to do so, to express the nuances that define the genres. The result is a remarkable show with so much variety and depth that at the end of the show, the Gator Beat Band leaves you happy and hollerin' "Gimme Some Mo"!
Tom Hook Trio, New Orleans, USA
Tom Hook's Website
Tom has performed at the Penticton Jazz Festival for many years with both the Black Dogs and as a solo performer. This year he returns with two musicians that he performs with on a nightly basis in New Orleans, David Hansen and Chris Sharkey. (Incidentally, David is a native Canadian, born and raised in Abbotsford, BC) Look for a mix of very danceable music from this polished group of musicians. There will still be a heavy dose of Tom's usual jump swing and New Orleans party favorites, with the addition of even more straight ahead jazz and Latin styles. Grab a refreshing Molson Canadian, put on your dancing shoes, and let's do the Ogopogo Blues….The Garden District Trio is in town!
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 trio featuring gifted, emotional players with a touch of stand up comedy?
Sister Swing, CA, USA
Sister Swing Website
Sister Swing is a fresh, exciting trio of singers which has captured the sound of the girl groups of the 1930s and 1940s, and brought it to the 21st century. Heavily influenced by the 3 part harmonies of groups like the Andrews Sisters and the Boswell Sisters, Sister Swing brings a new sound to an old style. An evening with Sister Swing will take you back in time to an era of glamour, romance and innocence.
New Orleans Ale Stars, Vancouver, BC
When was the last time you were out hearing traditional jazz music and a big part of the audience was under the age of thirty?
For that matter, what was the last really authentic traditional jazz band you enjoyed where half the band was under the age of thirty? And the rhythm section was two thirds female? And everybody, audience and band included, seemed to be having the time of their lives?
This is what the New Orleans Ale Stars (no, that’s not a typo!) are all about: hot jazz played by serious musicians who don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s authentic, it’s infectious and it’s about the best time you can have this side of New Orleans!
Dixieland Express Jazz Band, Victoria, BC
The Dixieland Express is an internationally acclaimed traditional jazz band, specializing in high energy eclectic entertainment.
Its leader Norrie MacFarlane has had the honour over the years of performing for such notables as Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Stephen Harper and Princess Margaret.They are highly regarded, immensely talented Canadian musicians with an exceptional entertainment package.
Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, Oregon, USA
Black Swan Classic Jazz Band Website
Dixieland, early jazz styles, ragtime and old-time gospel music
Black Swan is a fun, artistic group that specializes in Dixieland, early jazz styles, ragtime and old-time gospel. The band loves the hot jazz music of the 1920s and features the sizzling talents of vocalist Marilyn Keller
Offramp Jazz Quintet, Penticton, BC
The Offramp Jazz Quintet is a group of local musicians from Penticton and Summerland who have been playing in other ensembles professionally for many years. This group is an adaptation of the all-original band Offramp made especially for the Pentastic Jazz Festival! Led by pianist Justin Glibbery, this band will have you dancing from the downbeat. Their set will give you a bit of everything - great swing standards of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, tasty Latin grooves, a bit of boogie, a beautiful ballad, and few small surprises along the way. This great local group has Justin Glibbery on piano, Aidan Mayes on vocals, Larry Crawford on saxophones, Stefan Bienz on bass, and Mike Treadway on drums.
Cactus Jazz Band, Penticton, BC
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.
