In studio and on stage: Brad Gordon (horns, reeds, keyboards, vocals, engineering), Lisa Jenio (backing vocals), Anna Simpson (piano), Sarah LoVerme (vocals), David Barlia (ukulele, kazoo, whistling, mouth trumpet, vocals), Barry Quiat (piano), David Strayer (drums), Tammy Bumann (drums), Amber Mullins (backing vocals), Marty Aquilera (clarinet, vocals), Sebastian St. John (violin), Robert Staron (string bass, backing vocals, engineering), Mike Stromberg (steel guitar, ukulele, vocals), Mark Fletcher (guitar, banjo, violin, mandolin, vocals), Rebecca Lynn (violin, vocals), WendySue Rosloff (washtub & spoons), Jean Sudbury (violin) and Probyn Gregory (cornet & vocals).
Influences
Hoagy, Fats, Bix, Satch, Tram, Benny, Red (both Nichols and McKenzie), Duke, Venuti & Lang, Ukelele Ike, the Boswell Sisters, the Mills Brothers, the Rhythm Boys, Lonnie Johnson, Bubber Miley, Mildred Bailey, Ruth Etting, Annette Hanshaw, Tom Lehrer, the Blue Four, the Hot Five, the 5 Pennies...get the idea?
A textbook study in the process of trial and error, the California Navels have been a work in progress since the late '90s. Founded by musician/songwriter Mark Fletcher, who became inexplicably fixated on organizing a Prohibition-era jazz and novelty band, he's been laboring to make it happen ever since. After a number of false starts, things started coming together in 2002, first as a recording project with producer Brad Gordon, and later with a full-blown performing band. The line-up has included a variety of musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds, playing a wide assortment of venues in the Los Angeles area to some very appreciative audiences. Mark is currently devoting his time to writing and recording new material.
Pretzelmen at the Redwood downtown Tuesday night. $5!
With Rose's Pawn Shop! In Los Angeles' premiere vaguely pirate themed music venue!
316 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles (downtown I said!)
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
The California Navels I am so excited! I wanted to write you and let you know that my very first album "Banned from Canters" just arrived!!! You can hear the songs or buy the CD on my myspace page. Please check it out and tell me what you think. xoxoxoxo, The Ukulady
Thanks for the add!! I just kinda stumbled across your site and decided to take a peek. Very cool!! I feel like I'm the blonde bimbo at a speak easy sitting next to Machine Gun Kelly or maybe Baby Face Nelson. No, I'm the cigarette girl black mailed by the Feds to spy on them. I could dream forever!!!
Ragfest 2007 is coming up this Saturday and Sunday (October 21 and 22) in Fullerton, CA! It is a great annual ragtime-era music festival which has been going on for several years now and promises to be a lot of fun!
I will be there and performing on piano and washboard.
