*Front Line -Dave Ruffner- Trombone, Forrest Helmick - Trumpet, Nasty Nate Ketner - Reeds, Sherri Colby - Vocals
*Back Line (a.k.a. The 85 Bears ) - Jason Wanner - Piano, Rick Canfield - Drum Kit, Matty Bottel - Banjo, Guitar, Jason Jurzak - Sousaphone, String Bass
Influences
King Bolden, Jelly Roll, Bechet, Oliver, Lil' Louis, Kid Ory, Both Dodds, St.Cyr, O.D.J.B., Hot 5's,7's, Muggsy Spanier, Hot Clubs, Black Benny, Big Sid,Sousa,Basie, Miller, Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford, Louis Jordan, Chet Baker, Ella, Billie, Bix, Tram, Eddie Peabody,Teagarden, Brunies, Django, Wild Tchoupitoulas, Debussy, Monk, Black Dogs, High Sierra, The Meters, NightCrawlers, Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys, Marcia Ball, Nat King Cole, Rebirth, Chicago, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Canonball Adderly, Dirty Dozen, Steeley Dan.
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. The band showcases singing of the "Siren of the San Joaquin" - Ms. Sherri Colby. Although New Orleans jazz is the cornerstone on which the band was built, the band earned the reputation as "The Bad Boys of Dixieland" for their eclectic tastes in music. At any given Blue Street performance the audience is liable to hear various styles of music including swing, Mardi Gras, folk song, marches, waltzes, Latin music, and hymns. The band is capable of playing entire sets devoted to the music of Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, The History of Jazz, and Louis Armstrong. Audiences particularly enjoy the band's Sunday morning gospel programs.
One of the unique aspects of the Blue Street Jazz band is the fact that there are three music educators in the band. They are Dave Ruffner, a high school band director, and Rick Canfield and Forrest Helmick, both elementary school music teachers. Because of their interest and education in music, the band has been sought out as clinicians and advocates of traditional jazz bands for the youth.
While some members teach, one member is still in a student. Featured vocalist Sherri Colby is working on her doctorate in cultural anthropology from the University of Virginia while living and researching in New Orleans with her husband Blue Street banjo/guitarist Matt Bottel, a computer program designer. The rest of the Blue Street members make their living performing music. Pianist Jason Wanner recently received his degree in musical performance in Piano from the California State University at Sacramento while working as a professional musician. He currently lives and performs in the San Diego area. Reed player Nathan Ketner is a full-time musician in Los Angeles and Tuba/String Bass player Jason Jurcak is a full-time musician in the Crescent City of New Orleans.
For the past twenty years the band has played every major traditional jazz festival in the United States and has performed in Canada, Mexico, and Europe as well. The band has recorded twenty-three albums including Blue Street’s most recent, a compilation CD entitled 25 Years of the Blue Street Jazz Band. They have been top sellers at the festivals.
If your gonna be in town Wednesday June 17th come see Disstrick at the Terrace in Pasadena.
Hip-Hop Night!! 06/17/2009 09:30 PM @ The Terrace 443 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, California 91101 US Cost:$15 at the door($10 with ticket) Hip-Hop night!!
Hey! I have a really good picture of Sherri with my grandma Virginia on my grandma's last cruise and I have one of me and Forrest... I even have some of the band playing on the cruise and just wanted to know if you wanted any of them.
It was great to see you in Pismo and it was so funny because after Jeff announced that James and I got engaged 2 months ago at the second to last Titan Hot Seven Set we had a lot of people congratulate us and one came up to James at the end of the festival to congratulate us and when James called me over to meet the couple I realized they were at the anniversary party so you would think they knew, but I guess they were not near Sherri when I told her. I can't wait to see you again. Take care!
Hi! This Mandy from Eureka, CA. I just thought I would stop by and tell you that I am extremely excited to see you guys in Kalispell this weekend, you're going to there on my birthday, as you were last year! I will be there for Saturday! I can't wait!
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the DVD and the book... I enjoy the DVD so much and I have started reading the book and am enjoying that as well. I should soon be able to answer questions at the jazz festivals when James and I sell for the band. Thanks again and I hope we get to see you soon!
