2008 COUNTYBANK MAIN STREET JAZZ ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

* Scheduled entertainment subject to change without advance notice

April 4 - CHOCOLATE THUNDER

From a long line of strong female vocalists, Linda Rodney has a gospel upbringing and has been singing gospel since adolescence.  Her music has a hint of blues to it with a powerful meaning accompanied by strong vocals in every song.

April 11 - FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND

Firecracker Jazz Band's repertoire is born of the rich material of the early twentieth century "Jazz Greats" from the city of New Orleans. Popular and obscure Tin Pan Alley songs appear alongside clever original compositions. The instrumentation of the group is styled in the manner of the King Oliver Jazz Band, with stride piano, tuba and banjo providing the foundation for the melody of the cornet, counter-pointed with the trombone.

April 18 - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The Clemson University Jazz Ensemble is a dynamic 20 piece big-band known for playing a variety of music styles. The band performs several concerts a year featuring challenging arrangements and a high level of performance.

April 25 - BLACK TIE AFFAIR

"Black Tie Affair is one of the most requested bands in the upstate area for corporate events, posh wedding receptions & private parties.  Black Tie Affair  features a wide range of music, including contemporary jazz, swing, bebop, and a variety of dance music including beach favorites, oldies, disco, and rock  favorites from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, & 90's.”

May 2 - ANNIE SIDLEY

Described as one of Washington, DC's most soulful and original artists, Annie Sidley has captivated audiences all across the nation. Her music is inspired by the R&B rhythms and melodies of old school soul as well as the sounds of today's Pop, Alternative and Funk tracks. Annie's voice has been compared with the strength and soulfulness of Aretha Franklin and her songwriting to that of Stevie Wonder and Prince, yet she remains true to her own vision and distinctive sound.

May 9 - SPATS MAHONEY AND THE SPIT-SHINE BOYS

A Swingin' Good Time!!

May 16 - SOUTHERN CRESCENT BAND

SOUTHERN CRESCENT is one of the most versatile variety bands in the upstate of South Carolina. Mixing a variety of music including oldies, beach, pop, and rock, the band adjusts their broad song selection to each audience’s particular tastes.

May 23 - RENDITION

Rendition has its roots in jazz and swing, but mixes in a variety of music for all ages. We love to play the jazz  favorites of the big band greats such as Glen Miller and Duke Ellington, but we also mix in favorites of the more modern swing era. To add variety, Rendition also has some great sounding horn arrangements of other music types including some pop and rock dance tunes, popular ballads, polkas, shag, Latin, etc.

May 30 - ARMY GROUND FORCES JAZZ GUARDIANS

An 18-member group whose primary mission is to maintain and promote Jazz, a uniquely American art form.  Under the direction of Sergeant Major Joseph A. Camarda, the Jazz Guardians pay tribute to the big bands of yesterday by performing the music made popular by such greats as Ellington, Basie, Miller, and Herman. Demonstrating their great versatility, the group also performs the latest and most innovative sounds of today’s most popular composers.

The Jazz Guardians have been featured at numerous jazz festivals around the United States, performing with such notable artists as Louis Bellson, Cab Calloway, Bill Watrous, Conrad Herwig, and Jamey Abersold.  Equally comfortable in live performance or the studio, the group recently finished recording its second compact disc, appropriately titled The Jazz Guardians.  Given their broad talents and diverse repertoire, a concert by the Jazz Guardians will be sure to entertain any audience.

June 6 - WHITNEY WALTERS & THE SOUND

Quickly becoming one of the Upstate's favorite bands, Whitney Walters & The Sound will take you back in time and get you moving with a blend of old school R&B, Motown, funk and dance tunes. They mix it well with groovy smooth jazz and soulful ballads. This multi-talented 9-piece band covers everyone from Earth, Wind & Fire to Steely Dan, plus throws in some soon-to-be hits of Whitney's originals. We dare you to sit still.

June 13 - MISS WANDA JOHNSON

If you like passionate vocals, powerful stage charisma, great original songs, and a soulful performer who really connects with her audience, you will love Wanda Johnson.  She is accompanied by Charleston-based pianist/composer Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) and his band.

June 20 – RUSS WILSON AND HIS MIGHTY, MIGHTY MEN

Russ Wilson and his Mighty-Mighty Men are a Jump Blues band located in North Carolina.  The influence of swing music is very prominent in most of their up-beat, fun songs.

June 27 - MICHAEL WOLF AND THE VOODOO BROTHERS

A big helping of Chicago, Texas and Delta Blues served up with Hot Vocals, Smokin' Guitar and Cool Grooves.  The lead guitarist, Michael “Wolf” Ingmire was inspired to play guitar by Jimi Hendrix and inspired musically by Robert Johnson to play blues.

July 4 - AT&T RED, WHITE AND BLUE CELEBRATION, DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE, SC

July 11 - THE FABULOUS SHADES

The Fabulous Shades are based out of Greenville, SC. Terry Robinson, Dana Jones and Rick Campbell have been playing together for over 32 years. Raised on Rock N Roll and seeking every opportunity possible to entertain, three guys that cut their teeth on everything from Grand Funk Railroad to the Tempting Temptations, Elvis, Chairmen of the Board and tons of Beach Music, Rock and Roll, Soul and even a little country.

July 18 - GAS HOUSE MOUSE

Their common unifying purpose is to play great blues-based music, entertain their audiences, and to have a good time while doing it. This veteran, all-star line-up features some of the Southeast’s best musicians. Individually, they have worked as sidemen for many national acts and entertained with many top recording artists.

July 25 - DA CAPO TRIO

Formed by past and current Jazz Studies students at UNCA, the Da Capo Trio began in the hopes of performing a high level of jazz and keeping alive the classic sounds of be-bop, fusion, funk, cool jazz, free jazz, and all the other various sub-genres. Always seeking to expand the frontiers of jazz performed in the Asheville area, we currently perform standards by Miles, Bird, Coltrane, Monk, Jobim, Hammerstein/Kern and also include originals and pieces by current musicians that will soon be considered standards in their own right. So sit back, listen, relax, and enjoy the scene.

August 1 - CABO VERDE

Modern jazz meets traditional tango; funk rhythms override old Algerian chants; Afro-Cuban drums salute soulful Latin strings.

August 8 - ENCORE

This local favorite is a high-energy eight piece party band that will be sure to have everyone up and dancing!

August 15 - ELLIOT & THE UNTOUCHABLES 

Elliot and the Untouchables, from Columbia SC, are Red Hot. They perform the “real deal” – authentic, vintage blues. From jumpin’ west coast swing numbers to burnin’ slow blues and nasty slide guitar workouts on an electric diddley bow, the Untouchables’ repertoire is as diverse and powerful as blues itself.

August 22 - PEGGY RATUSZ & DADDY LONG LEGS

Incredibly talented and personable musicians such as Mike Barnes-guitar; Perry Hines-drums, Mike Rothacker-bass and Peggy Ratusz on vocals. Audiences of all ages have found their renditions of classic tunes both jazz and rock, as well as Motown and Old Soul music, innovative and infectious. They'll get your juices flowing with that back beat and they'll melt your heart with love songs.

August 29 - PUZZLE

A good choice for a variety of music.  The Puzzle Party Band can entertain with light jazz for a cocktail hour, up-beat dancing music, or even oldies from Rock n’ Roll.

September 5 - WILL SCRUGGS JAZZ FELLOWSHIP

Mac began his long history in the Blues back in 1966 when he joined the legendary Muddy Waters band as part of the rhythm section. Not long after that initiation, Mac found himself recording with Otis Spann, Tyrone Davis and John Lee Hooker.  Back in his native South Carolina, Mac is serving up a mess of Blues with his own band, "MAC ARNOLD & PLATE FULL O' BLUES".

September 12 - MS JONES AND THE VELVETONES

When the Velvetones perform, you can't help but be  energized by the fun, positive energy & fantastic music!  Lauren (MsJones) has been singing her way across the country from world class resorts along the waters of the Caribbean to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

September 19 - ONE LEG UP

One Leg Up, from Asheville, NC, plays a mixture of gypsy jazz, Latin, swing, modern jazz, and original compositions. Performing together since 2003, One Leg Up became the house band at Café Soleli in Asheville. During their eighteen month engagement at the Café, the group gathered an enthusiastic fan base of music lovers, dancers and fellow musicians, and developed their tight, rhythmic acoustic style of jazz that is ready for any concert hall, festival stage or swing dance.

September 26 - BLISTERIN' HOT BEACH, BOOGIE AND BLUES

“Blisterin Hot” plays a great variety of music, including, jazz & swing, beach music, oldies dance favorites from the 50s & 60s, classic rock, pop, R&B, blues, & disco hits from the 70s, and a mix of popular dance music from the 80s & 90s, to current dance & party favorites!