2012 Bands
Gypsy Roots
Gyspy Roots specializes i
n the genre known as jazz manouche. For the uninitiated, their sound is very reminiscent of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France of the 1930s featuring Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. The main trio consists of guitarists Thomas Wakefield and James Beard, and violinist Larry Lyles. The Jammin' lineup will also feature bassist Rusty Farmer, and accordianist Bob Jacobs. Gypsy Roots regularly plays in and around Richmond and organizes the annual Djangouary event celebrating the birth of the Gypsy jazz master. They're making their eighth consecutive appearance at Jammin' this year.
Blue Crescent Syncopators
Formed in 2007 as The B
lue Crescent Quintette, but now a power quartet, Blue Crescent Syncopators plays from the heart..and usually without sheet music! All the greatest jazz tunes of the 20's and 30's done up right with some spice and swing. Perfect for listening, dancing, or having a Mardi Gras/Speakeasy party. Leader Craig Gildner makes his triumphant return to Jammin' after playing the inaugural event with his other band, Blue Sky 5, back in 2003.
Doctors of Jazz
The Doctors of Jazz is a Tra
d Jazz/Dixieland band that specializes in the traditional early New Orleans jazz typified by the Joe "King" Oliver Creole Jazz Band from the early 1920s and its later West Coast reincarnation, Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. The band was established in 1983 by an enthusiastic group of professors at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. It has completed eight European tours and performs regularly around central Virginia. Jammin' the James just wouldn't be the same without an appearance by the Docs on Sunday afternoon!
The Jammin' All-Stars
A Jammin' on the James first! Because this is our 10th edition, we're doing something a bit special. For the first, and perhaps only, time, we will present the Jammin' All-Stars who will provide live music at late night. The Jammin' All-Stars will be comprised of Mike Faltesek (leader of the Careless Lovers), Craig Gildner (leader of the Blue Crescent Syncopators, Blue Sky 5, and the Red Hot Rhythm Chiefs), and Lucian Cobb (leader of the Mint Julep Jazz Band). We'll probably add another member or two. Stay tuned!
