JD Benjamin - cornet
Chris Cortier - trombone
Joe Keady - tuba
Chris Johnson - banjo/piano
Curt Garey - drums
Jay Metcalf - clarinet
with thanks to Marshall Wilson, Chris Bannon, Alice Bierhorst, Pete Pezzimenti and Paul "Fess" Fischer for their work and support
Influences
Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Bunk Johnson, King Oliver, the ODJB, Bix, Venuti & Lang, Django, Jelly Roll, Papa Celestin's Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, early Ellington, Muggsy Spanier, Freddy Keppard's various groups, Cab Calloway & the Missourians, the Chicagoans, Joplin and other ragtimers, the legacy of New Orleans and the legend of Buddy Bolden, and many many more.
We should also mention some of many groups that instilled a strong DIY approach to music in us, and a healthy musical spirit. Thank the Lord for inspiration from:
The Ramones, Dead Kennedys, Bonzo Dog Band, Tom Waits, James Brown, John Coltrane, African-American spirituals, country bluesmen like Son House and Robert Pete Williams, socially conscious folkies like Woody Guthrie, many current NY groups and all the brass bands keeping brass alive today in every form everywhere.
The Red Hook Ramblers were formed in late summer of 2005 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, with the thrill of "discovering" traditional jazz. Our group is dedicated to keeping alive America's rich early music - from ragtime to marches to blues to jass - and more. Our specialty is exploring hot jazz of the '20s, especially of the New Orleans and Chicago styles. We encourage you to seek out the recordings of the legendary performers and come out to hear how we do it live.
We play regularly around Brooklyn and Manhattan and are available to hire for funerals, weddings, parties, fundraisers, or just general calamity. We're experienced in all the above.
We've definitely gotta bring you on for future Swing House dates! Planning to keep this hot new live music vintage dance monthly going for as long as we can.
There is inconclusive evidence as to whether washboard-fueled vaudevillian ragtime/jugband blues and hillbilly swing madness improves or otherwise impacts your health. Thank you for taking a chance on it. Perhaps we will see you soon.
Best,
joebass, michael, parrish
http://truthfacerecordings.com/wiyos/pics/wiyos46.jpg
Howdy JD, Marshall, Chris, Joe, Chris, Alice & Andrew are you there as well?
J Boy and I sure had a blast at yer gig! Ya'll are just swell! However, I was so intoxicated by yer sound that whatever happend afterwards is still a mystery to me.
