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 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 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
These seven multi-talented musicians will give you an exciting traditional jazz and swing show presented with gusto and enthusiasm every time. 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.
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.
Tom Hook, New Orleans, USA
Tom Hook's Website
Musician songwriter Tom Hook began his career in Kansas City Missouri, performing in local in regional jazz and rock bands, as well as working as a stage performer at Worlds of Fun theme park. Leaving Kansas City in 1980, Tom began a long association with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, working as a lounge entertainer on board the Mississippi Queen until 1985 when he assumed bandleader duties on the Delta Queen. Over the years Tom has performed on various local and national jingles for entities as diverse as the Kansas City Chiefs, Truly Nolen, Budweiser, McDonalds, H&R Block, Missouri State Lottery, Florida State Lottery, as well as toured with his own one-man stage production of the musical drama "Riverman!" Tom also has delved into the world of cyber entertainment, producing and recording period music for a series of war games developed by John Tiller for HPS Simulations.
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?
New Orleans Kings of Rhythm
The Kings of Rhythm were created by Jim and Martha Hession to feature the diversity of early jazz styles from Storyville to Swing. Jim(piano/leader) and Tad Wolicki(drums) first joined forces in 1967 with Tad's award winning South Market Street Jazz Band, becoming regulars at Mickie Finn's Speakeasy and Disneyland. Tad, a compounding pharmacist and Deputy Sheriff, later drummed with the High Society Jazz Band, featured yearly at the Sacramento and San Diego Trad Jazz Festivals.
Steve Braun (upright bass) joined the Hessions at Biloxi's Imperial Palace, the first reopened entertainment venue after Hurricane Katrina. He also performs regularly with them in concerts at New Orleans' National Jazz Historical Park. Originally from Louisville, Steve is in demand as one of New Orleans premier bassists, following a long career on the Delta Queen Steamboat Lines, backing artists Pete Fountain, Clark Terry, and Steve Allen to name a few.
Jim Hession and the Kings of Rhythm have just recorded their first CD, "A Taste of New Orleans", available here at the Festival.
Stompin Hot Jazz Band, Chilliwack, BC
This is the latest group to emerge from the amazing Chilliwack Secondary Music Program.
This young band formed under the name "The Dixie 9" in 2003 and have been seen at festivals in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Sacramento, and Sun Valley wowing audiences
with their musical maturity and fun energy! Playing the swingin dixieland standards with some new surprises,you'll want to have your dancing shoes on.
True to their name, the music is Hot, and your feet? you guessed it! Stompin!
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 Steve McPhee on drums. They very excited about playing for you and pleased to make their Pentastic Jazz Festival debut in 2010
Hession Session
Jim and Martha Hession have been able to draw on
their years of experience in jazz historical research to produce shows that are innovative, informative
and entertaining. The past two years have been busy and productive as the Hessions have become very involved with
New Orleans' Word of Mouth Studio, recording hundreds of tracks for their new CD releases. They have also posted over 200 music and teaching videos on YouTube, which have
drawn an enormous response from musicians and students all over the world. Whether performing as a jazz duo, headlining the American Jazz Quintet, TV appearances,
producing stage shows, historical lectures or all request programs, Jim and Martha bring a
level of talent and versatility not often found on the music scene.
Black Swan Classic Jazz Band
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
Igor's Jazz Cowboys
Igor's Jazz Cowboys Website
Igor's group, the Jazz Cowboys, play acoustic Western Swing accompanied by a hot horn section. Just imagine Roy Rogers singing with Louis Armstrong's boys. The show features music from the Great Southwest all the way to New Orleans.
Blue Street Jazz Band
Blue Street Jazz Band Website
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.
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.
