WELCOME TO THE

 Omni Tucson National Golf Resort

Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.
May 17,18,19

Vinnie Mondello -
mrvintagebanjo@aol.com
903-643-2959
 Webpage design and information
Vendor Room
You will need to contact me for show table quantity's

Please make checks payable to:
Schannep Investment Advisors
7594 N La Cholla Blvd.
Tucson, Arizona 85741
 rwright@siatucson.com
866 544-2500

Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Member of Global Hotel Alliance

2727 West Club Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85742
Phone: (520) 297-2271, Fax: (520) 297-7544

For a full tour of the accomodations, click on the link below

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/TucsonNationalGolfResortAndSpa.aspx

Pool side
 

"Legends" Sports Bar
 

"Mountain Vista" Guest rooms
 

"Mountain Vista" Bathrooms
 

Omni Steakhouse

The "Terrace"

A brief synopsis..
Complete with Actresses and an Actor!

Arriving at the Omni, Rob is ready for battle

Checking in with the friendly staff...
 

Inspecting the new renovations...

The grounds are lovely, this was all under construction when we were last here
 

It appears that guests have already arrived, and the Blast is still a year away!

So we will have a little jamming at the poolside....

This banjo  that Lacy has looks familar.....but I see so many...

And a few drinks (If you are of age and Rob SURELY is that!)

Smiles all around, it looks like a good time is being had by all.

Time for a nice meal in the beautiful May weather, the Omni has excellent fare.
 

Oh and be sure to humidify your instruments when in AZ, we wouldn't want to see this.
Well I might, if your checkbook is BIG!
 

RV INFORMATION
Catalina State Park is only a few miles up the road from The OMNI.  They have terrific bathroom facilities and hook-ups at $15 a night.  I could also reserve the Group areas, which also have nice bathrooms and showers but no hook-ups.  Either way, that's the place for the RV crowd. There is a Wal-Mart right across the street!

Check it out here
http://azstateparks.com/Parks/CATA/

And now..........

   AZ 2012 HEADLINER(S)
It is our style, to showcase all of the wonderful talent individually, and as a whole

So in No particular Order.......................

TYLER JACKSON

Tyler Jackson is a true musical talent with decades of history fused into his banjo style.  Evidence of Tyler's natural ability can be seen in both is banjo technique and sense of musicality.  He studies the instrument and its history, analyzes the great masters, and approaches his craft with a passion seldom seen in the youth of today.  In late 90's teenage rock and hip-hop influenced world, it is unlikely that a twelve year old from Houston, Texas would become interested in the tenor banjo; and, it is slimmer still that his playing would develop so quickly.  Yet, at a church sponsored ukulele class, where the banjo's infectious ring caught Tyler's ear, he was hooked.  After spending two years under the wing of Buddy Griffin and the Jubilee Banjo Band, Tyler's natural talent came to the attention of Buddy Wachter, who mentored the young Jackson and helped steer him towards learning different styles of music and instruments.  Although they lived 1,200 miles apart, the phone conversations they would have about music and instrument history would continue to inspire Tyler to strive for more.  Wachter encouraged Tyler to learn upright bass and keep pursuing new and exciting ways to play the tenor banjo.  Tyler went on to major in jazz studies at the University of North Texas where country legend Ray Price heard about him and asked Tyler to play upright bass in his band. Tyler jumped at the chance and began travel the country playing in venues ranging from old texas honky-tonks to radio city music hall in New York. When the band wasn't performing or sound-checking, Tyler would be jamming on the banjo with other members of the band, playing hot jazz of the 1920s and 30s.

His work with Price took him all over the world and gave him the chance to hang out with some pretty interesting people some of which include Willie Nelson, Billy Bob Thornton, Merle Haggard, Woody Harrelson and Peter Wolf. Occasionally Ray would ask Tyler to bring out the banjo and play something for them. Tyler was always amazed at how much they enjoyed hearing the banjo!
Although currently most of his professional work is on upright bass for Ray Price and Jim Cullum, Tyler will always consider the tenor banjo to be his his favorite instrument.  He hopes to keep pushing the limits of what can be done on the tenor banjo, but at the same time keeping a smile on the audiences faces and a tap in their toes.
 

Click on the link below to hear TJ on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO73TJa-gaI

ROB WRIGHT

http://robwrightbanjo.com/

I have played the banjo since I was ten years old, which makes it my first musical instrument and love.  Although I was fortunate enough to make a living traveling around the country for several years in my youth, most of my time was spent playing guitar and singing.

Now I spend my days as a partner in an independent financial advisory company, Schannep Investment Advisors.  But my nights and weekends are often devoted to playing and singing with the banjo!  I'm proud to be a member of a world class traditional jazz band, The Original Wildcat Jass Band out of the University of Arizona.  Indeed, it is my relationship with this group of talented players that has inspired me to bring my banjo skills back up to an elite professional level.
Visit the band's webpage by clicking the image below

In Tucson, a committed and energized group of talented jazz stylists is helping to spread the "gospel of traditional jazz" in southern Arizona. The Original Wildcat Jass Band offers traditional New Orleans and Chicago jazz, performed in a spirit and style that is true to its musical roots and wildly popular with audiences around the Old Pueblo. An outgrowth of the renowned University of Arizona School of Music and Dance, The Original Wildcat Jass Band offers its highly entertaining, uniquely toe-tapping music to Arizona and the world.

Here's a YouTube clip of the Wildcats on the  link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM1QQLYSVck

Photo by Gary Spector

Cynthia Sayer is regarded as one of the top 4-string banjoists in the world today. A member of Woody
Allen's jazz band for over 10 years, Cynthia's solo career has taken her well beyond these New Orleans
roots to become an acclaimed bandleader and guest artist. She has a unique and expansive approach to
the instrument which is all her own, and she is also a respected vocalist. Her eclectic repertoire ranges
from swing and hot jazz to tango, western, classical, and more.
Sayer has worked with a variety of leading jazz and popular artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Marian
McPartland, Dick Hyman, Bill Cosby, Warren Vaché, Les Paul, Wycliffe Gordon, Marvin Hamlisch,
Kenny Davern, Bucky Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton, Randy Sandke, Scott Robinson, and many others. She has
also played with some top bluegrass/roots/country artists, including Tony Trischka, Bill Keith, Odetta,
Eric Weissberg, Mike Marshall, and John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band).
Cynthia began playing the banjo at age 13, when, after begging her parents for a drum set, she one day
discovered a banjo on her bed, clearly intended as a more peaceful substitute. Years later, after Cynthia
chose the banjo over law school, her banjo teacher, Patty Fischer, would apologize to Cynthia's mother
whenever they crossed paths at the local grocery store. Her mother always kindly reassured the woman
that it wasn't her fault: Cynthia was bound to find her way into music one way or the other.
Cynthia's extensive career includes performances in New York City's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center,
playing for two U.S. Presidents, appearing with The New York Philharmonic, feature film and TV
soundtracks including "Anything Else," “Bullets Over Broadway," "Purple Rose Of Cairo," "Sophie's
Choice," "The Cosby Mysteries," TV commercials and radio jingles, and numerous national TV and radio
show appearances in the USA and abroad. On the lighter side, she is the subject of a Trivial Pursuit game
question and was the official banjoist for the New York Yankees.
Sayer’s many festival engagements include the JVC Jazz Festival (New York and Boston), Molde Jazz
Festival (Norway), Marciac Jazz Festival (France), Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Jazz Yatra (India),
Kobe Jazz Street (Japan), Gold Coast Jazz Festival (Australia), and Sweet & Hot Music Festival (Los
Angeles), among others. She is also the subject of a PBS documentary about the banjo, expected to be
aired in 2011.

Photo by Gary Spector
 

Cynthia Sayer has accumulated numerous awards and honors, including induction into the National
Banjo Hall of Fame. Readers Polls from both trade and commercial publications named her "Favorite
Living Banjo Player," "First-Choice Headliner," "Best Banjo Player" and "4-String Banjo All Styles." The
Dresden International Jazz Festival awarded Cynthia their Festival Trophy, describing her as "a pioneer
of a new banjo style... an exceptional artist who, without showy gimmicks, captivates and excites her
audiences." Three of Cynthia's albums have been named as a "Top Ten Classic Jazz Release" by Cadence
Magazine for the year they were released. Her most recent CD, "Attractions," which includes legendary
jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was nominated for both the prestigious 2009 Swing Journal Disc Award in
Japan, and the Just Plain Folks 2009 Music Awards, plus was selected for the "Best CDs of 2007" list by
the Jazz Journalists Association.
Cynthia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ithaca College. She endorses Ome Banjos and GHS Strings.

cynthiasayer.com • B.G. Dilworth, Manager • (212) 344-6600 • bg.dilworth@verizon.net

Johnny Baier

JOHNNY BAIER - Biography, Spring 2007

 Since he began his career as a professional banjo player in 1971 (just two weeks after he picked up the instrument), Johnny Baier has been developing an admirable reputation as one of the worlds most ardent performers on, and promoters of Americas only native musical instrument - the banjo.  From the beginning, playing banjo for the sing along crowd at the Shakey's Pizza Parlor in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Baier maintained a goal of keeping his performances both musical and entertaining.  The varied musical influences he absorbed as a youngster (from jazz to polkas to classics), coupled with inspiration, guidance and instruction from many great banjo artists of the past, have resulted in a contemporary banjo artist with a unique sound and style.

 A Johnny Baier performance always demonstrates his eagerness to attempt to add new textures and colors to the banjos perceived repertoire and sound.  Ragtime, Jazz, Bluegrass, Folk, Classics, Pop, and, of course, traditional banjo favorites are all given Baier’s unique touch.  A certain highlight of his career came in 1983 when, after a participating in a banjo competition held in Ontario, Canada that featured some of the finest banjoists in North America, Baier was named the North American Banjo Champion.  Following this success, he was asked to represent a division of the Sara Lee Corporation as a musical goodwill ambassador.  In this capacity, he had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States performing at trade shows, fairs, parades and special events.

   After three years of touring (accumulating over 150,000 land and air miles per year), Baier decided to “settle down” in Orlando, Florida where, in 1988, he began an incredible run at the world-famous Rosie O’Grady’s in Church Street Station.  In the years that followed, Johnny, combining masterful musicianship with crowd pleasing entertainment skills, performed over 15,000 solo shows.

 In 2000, Baier become the Entertainment Director and featured performer at Rock Crusher Canyon - an entertainment attraction located on Florida's Gulf Coast.  In this position, he produced hundreds of shows including Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, Three Dog Night, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and many more.  In addition to his own headline performances at RCC, Johnny opened shows for legendary show business notables such as The Kingston Trio, Pat Boone, Mickey Rooney and Roy Clark.

 Always ready to take his act “on the road”, Baier has been a headline performer in the showrooms aboard the luxury cruise ships of the Crystal, Radisson, Princess and Holland America lines.  His ease with an audience also makes him a favorite at community and corporate events as well as musical festivals and concert venues throughout the world.

 On the traditional jazz scene, in addition to leading his own popular "All Star" Dixieland jazz band, Johnny, playing both banjo and guitar, appears in clubs, festivals, concerts and on recordings with many notable classic jazz groups including “Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band”, “Allan Vache and the New Delta Steamers”, “Rosie O’Grady’s Goodtime Jazz Band”, “The Bob Crosby Bob Cats”, and “The Walt Disney World Rhythm Rascals”.

 Another recent highlight in Johnny's career came with his partnership with fellow banjo master Buddy Wachter.  Their destined to be historic recording, entitled Side By Side,  received rave reviews from both critics and banjo enthusiasts from around the world, being hailed as "quite possibly the best banjo recording ever!"  The duo is currently working on a follow-up CD which will be recorded in Spring of this year.

 In addition to performing, Baier is a serious journalist and banjo historian as well.  He is internationally known as the editor of All Frets magazine - the official publication of the Fretted Instrument Guild of America - an international nonprofit musical organization.  In addition to existing artist endorsement relationships in place with both RICHELIEU BANJOS and GHS STRINGS, Johnny has recently contracted with MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS to write, publish and distribute two instructional publications for the tenor banjo to a world-wide market.

 As a further testimonial to his commitment to the music and heritage of the banjo, in 2004 Baier was offered (and accepted) the position of Executive Director of the National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame Museum located in historic Guthrie, Oklahoma.  The Museum is home to a massive collection of ornately decorated Jazz Age banjos - the largest collection on public display anywhere in the world.

 The highest compliment a musical artist can hope to receive usually comes from fellow musicians.  When banjo players gather, they often refer to Johnny Baier as “the best”.  While such high praise is certainly a matter of personal opinion, it is clear that his love for the banjo and the music it is capable of creating has allowed Johnny Baier to evolve into exactly what he'd hoped to become...THE BANJO MAN.
 

With Nathan Hanna, music became an interest in 2003 at just 7 years old after seeing the film School of Rock (about a rock and roll band consisting of kids). He began to pick up the guitar learning classic rock tunes by ear. Guitar and rock and roll were the only musical territories Nathan would tread until he met Buddy Griffin around 2005. Nathan joined Buddy’s band in Houston: the All-Stars Youth Banjo Band, where he was introduced to tenor banjo. He learned how to play banjo enough to get by but never let go of guitar as his primary instrument. If fact, in 2008, Nathan became the All-Star’s guitar player (still his active position).
 By 2009 Nathan gained a personal interest in jazz. Django Reinhardt and Benny Goodman became favorites of his. Banjo was still something he rarely touched. It wasn’t until he received the gift of a Vega Vox IV from founder of the American Banjo Museum, Jack Canine, for him to start practicing banjo fully under his will. Nathan began listening to banjo greats such as Paul Buskirk, Paul Erickson, Tyler Jackson, and Buddy Wachter. He began to lean toward improvisation and bebop where he found a love and “obsession” for the music and the instrument. He also began to enjoy some classical music and learned to play the plectrum banjo fluently in two months just to learn Hungarian Dance #6.
 In 2010, Nathan recorded his first album “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”. Studio work became something he enjoyed. In 2011 he recorded another album called “At Home”, an album with jazz vocalist Kate Freeman called “Positively Swingin’”, and a duet album with Hall of Fame banjo player Greg Allen. He records original rock music in his spare time.
 Nathan played guitar for a jazz ensemble at a local college as a freshman in Highschool. He has performed in Texas, Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Indiana.
You can view Nathan’s YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/hannanathan564.
 

   …The average banjoist must wonder what mysterious neurological thing has    happened when a youngster of fourteen (2010) has already acquired an amazing     understanding of complex single-note phrasing, and can so easily play improvised    renditions of both traditional and non-traditional pieces.
        -Jim Riley, The Resonator

Dave Frey

See more on Dave here

 http://www.ultimatebanjo.com/index.html

Banjoist and author Dave Frey has been playing plectrum banjo for over 30 years. During that time, he professionally recorded over 300 tunes with nine different bands making him one of the more prolific banjoists performing today. Dave is also a banjo instructor at the International Banjo College in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Dave is experienced in playing both the banjo band and Dixieland/traditional jazz styles of the instrument and is listed in K.O. Eckland's book Jazz West 2, a history of traditional jazz performers in the western United States. Dave is also the banjoist for the San Francisco Starlight Orchestra (a 1920's style hot dance orchestra that recently ranked fifth in the world in a Mississippi Rag newspaper's readers poll, as well as numerous other jazz and banjo bands, including the Southtown Strummers, The Three Plectrums, the Fourth Street Five Jazz Band and Eldorado Syncopators Jazz Band.

   Steve Caddick

Click to go to Steve's Webpage

Biography:
Steve Caddick
Tenor Banjo Performer and Teacher

Instrumentation:
1924 Vega Professional Tenor Banjo
1986 Paul Simpson Custom 20 Fret Whyte Laydie Tenor Banjo

Biography:
I started playing the tenor banjo at age 9. My dad taught me the basics. I like to say I learned the banjo at my fathers’ knee and other low joints!

I seriously studied tenor banjo while in college in Boston from 1969-1972.
During that time, I joined the Rev. Bob Ryder, who was starting a banjo band in the fall of 1969 called “The Parsons Plunkers”. I played the lead tenor banjo for 28 years with him. When Bob passed away in 1998, I reformed the band as the "Red Suspenders" and have been the leader of that group ever since.

During most of this time period, I worked in the clubs with my Dad, Wild Bill Caddick. We had a steady gig for almost 15 years at the Ground Round Restaurants in Rhode Island. Those were fun times for us and I really got to know my father and his incredible musicianship. Dad and I enjoyed performing at many banjofests in New England during the 1980’s and 90’s, until he passed in 1997. I met Eddy Kebabjian at one of these banjofests and a great friendship developed. We recorded two CD’s together.

In 2005 I formed a group called “Steve Caddick and Avalon” with Rene Marion and Paul Poirier. Eddy Kebabjian provides us with arrangements for 2 banjos and tenor guitar. I love performing with these guys. We have similar ideas on how to entertain and we work at it to make it fun for our audiences. It is fun to throw quips back and forth with them while performing.
I had the pleasure of Co-hosting the Spring Fling with Paul from 2003-2008. We also hosted the FIGA Convention in Providence, RI in 2005.

When John Mumford started his website "Jazzbanjo.com" he needed a tenor player to provide note for note arrangements and sound files. I was very pleased that he chose me for that role. With the exposure I have had through his website and being a member of Noel Induni’s “4 String Banjo List”, a yahoo group online, they have helped me to become recognized in the  4-string banjo world. With that I have had several opportunities to be a Headliner or a featured banjoist at Banjofests around the country. I am enjoying that very much!

This year I have started to expand on my teaching by adding Live online lessons via webcam. I have been teaching for over 30 years and playing for 50. Teaching online allows me to have contact with people all over the country who would like to learn my approach, technique and philosophy of playing the tenor banjo.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the Arizona Banjo Blast.

Here's a YouTube clip of Steve on the  link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijvWYYnTF_A

Kurt Abell

Playing the banjo is somewhat thought of as a novelty; Kurt takes that
in stride, proving, through his performance, that the banjo is nothing
short of an instrument in a class by itself. Throughout his 35 year
career, music has woven its thread into a tapestry upon Kurt's hands.
His pedigree includes playing at the Red Garter Saloon in San Francisco
in the early 70's, television and movie appearances, a 10 year
relationship with the Washboard Wizardz, Headlining Banjo Shows from
coast to coast, performing as a jazz musician in Europe and Asia,
banjoist at numerous festivals and jazz events nationwide, and guest
artist for the Modesto Symphony during their Holiday Pops series in
2007.

He has over a dozen albums still in print, as well as a newly released
solo CD, Solo Expedition, January 2009. In addition, his newly formed
ensemble, Kurt Abell and his Rhythm Knickers released their first CD,
Out of Bounds, in March, 2009.

He is currently touring with the Catsnjammer Jazz Band, Kurt Abell and
his Rhythm Knickers, The Creole Jazz Kings, and Galen Drake & Athens
Abell~LIVE. He continues to wow audiences as Headliner at various Banjo
Shows nationwide, as well. He also volunteers his time to local
musicians in an effort to support the arts. His technique of teaching
banjo artistry is close to his heart, but performing is his passion.

SPECIAL SATURDAY NIGHT APPEARANCE!!!

Welcome back Don!

Location:
Every Wednesday,
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Round Table Pizza, 1938 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, California

History:
The East Bay Banjo Club was founded in 1963 as a nonprofit organization and dedicated to the spirit of playing "Happy" banjo music. Currently there are about 40 very enthusiastic members who meet every Wednesday night from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Round Table Pizza Parlor at 1938 Oak Park Blvd. in Pleasant Hill, California.

In the past, the Club had a famous float, "The River Queen" which we used in parades, and various community functions. The float was retired in 1997. We now play at many different civic events, private parties, and club functions, mainly in Contra Costa County and occasionally a neighboring county or two. Annually we play at the Palo Alto Banjo Jubilee and the Sacramento Banjo-Rama, where we are featured players along with some of the best banjo bands in the entire USA.

Some of the money we earn from our "playouts" is donated to various charities - mainly those involved with handicapped and disadvantaged children & adults.

The Club always welcomes new members from outright beginners to seasoned professionals The range of banjo playing experience within the club is usually from several months to more than 40 years. So, if you love banjos, happy music and fun, please stop by, take a look, and listen.

Sheila Welt, President
P.O. Box 5414

Concord, CA 94524

Email - president@eastbaybanjo.org
Phone - 925-689-4643

John Mumford

Like most folks it was the sound of the instrument that lead John to take up the banjo.  It was the early 1960's and the Kingston Trio were on top of the charts.  This led to the purchase of an open back banjo and Pete Seeger's instruction book"How To Play The 5 String Banjo."    Shortly thereafter, a couple of high school classmates asked John to play in a "Rock" band and the banjo was put aside for an electric guitar.

It was three years later with the band breaking up and John moving to Colorado to attend college that he decided to resume playing the five string banjo.  He studied under Dick Weissman from the group "The Journeyman".  A few years later he ended up at "Your Father's Mustache"  bar playing on stage with the banjo band and that lead to a new four string banjo and studying plectrum banjo with "Buck Kelly."

For the next six years John performed at various pizza parlors, restaurants, ski resorts and other establishments around town and as a soloist and a member of "The Mustache Band" which was a spin off of the old "Your Father's Mustache Banjo Band."

After a 10 year break John resumed playing banjo again in 1989 and has been performing around the Denver Metro area at different venues since.

In 1997 John decided to further his musical knowledge by attending the University of Colorado - Denver.  In 2002 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music with an emphasis in music performance using  the plectrum banjo.  His performances has taken him to jazz festivals as well as performing in several stage productions including "Spoon River" and "Shanendoah."John also was a member of the cast for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival's play "Troilus and Cressida." The play was converted from the "Trojan Wars" to the "Civil War" and called for a banjo player on performing on stage throughout the story line.
Go visit John's great Banjo website at
www.jazzbanjo.com

Dr. Jeff Grosser - Musician
Born and raised in New York City, Jeff was a professional accordionist who had already performed at Carnegie Hall, a venue he has performed twice since much more recently, when he started playing plectrum banjo in 60‘s.  He was leader of the Rush Street Band for 13 years and was a regular banjoist at the famed Red Onion in Manhattan.  He played at other metropolitan New York area clubs including the Banjo Inn, Chester's, the Golden Banjo, The Bourbon Barrels, Calamity Jane's, and played with many other groups including The New Orleans Nighthawks, and The Smith Street Society. He did road work for Your Father’s Mustache and was the regular partner with the late great stride pianist George Holmes.  He worked for superstars Ed Sullivan, Jerry Lewis, and Sammy Davis Jr. in the banjo busy 60’s and 70's.  He now leads The Razcals Jazz Band and the The Ragtime Razcals of New England.  He has worked with many groups in New England including Doc’s Banjo Band, the State Street Traditional Jazz Band, the Clam Flat Five, the Classic Jazz Band, The Bath Municipal Swing Band, and the Ambassadors Big Band.  He is the regular banjoist with the very well respected long standing Royal River Philharmonic Jazz Band.  He performs regularly throughout the northeast, Midwest, and the Phoenix area.  He has completed projects with the Phoenix Symphony, Public and Commercial Television and Radio, and the Portland Conservatory of Music, The Deertrees Theater, and the Rockland Opera House, and his concerts and performances have appeared on many TV specials in the New England area.  He attends as many jazz and banjo conventions throughout the country as his schedule will allow doing performances and giving workshops.  Besides his banjo work, he continues to perform with his accordion, piano guitar and violin.

View the RHT website here for all of the bands info/bios, etc.

http://www.rosshubbelltrio.com/

Here is clip of Ross playing "Exactly like you" on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SriAIRhCvLc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Hot Club of Tucson (HCOT) is Southern Arizona's Premier Gypsy Jazz Band. They perform acoustic swing music in the style made famous by Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli. HCOT features guitar, violin, clarinet, accordion, bass and French vocals. HCOT's repertoire includes Gypsy Jazz, Waltzes and Latin tunes. Founded in February 2004 by Allin Kibben, HCOT has been featured in festival, theater, concert, club and dance venues. HCOT is available for that special event that demands an exciting 'Hot' Acoustic Swing Band! Check out our YouTube video below - 112,000 hits and growing!

 Facebook Page....Click here

Website, Click here

Who's Igor?

The one with the handlebar mustache and beard?  That's Igor.  Not only can he play the upright bass,  guitar, banjo and piano; but he can sing beyond three octaves.

Igor performs throughout the United States as a variety of characters: Cowboy Igor, Irish Igor, Mr. Monopoly Man, Jack Frost, Santa's elf and even Santa himself.

Igor's group, the Jazz Cowboys, play acoustic Western Swing accompanied by a hot horn section.  Just imagine Roy Rogers singing with Louis Armstrong's boys.  The show features music from the Great Southwest all the way  to New Orleans.
 

CONTACT IGOR:

[602] 315.1525

igorsjazzcowboys@yahoo.com

WELCOME BACK SLY!!!!!!!!!!!

 BourbonStreetParade.mp3

 FiveFootTwo.mp3

 GhostridersInTheSky.mp3

 TigerRag.mp3

 VENDORS
 

PRINTABLE ORDER FORM ....Click on the link below
 AZshirts&hatsNEW.jpg

The AZ Banjo Blasters
 

Blasters in the photo are left to right, back row: Rudy Jimenez, Rick Blackmar, Fritz Pritchett, Bob Harrington & Debb Johnson.
front row: LuLu Nicholosi, Bud Johnson, Doug O'Brien, Emmett Gundy & Elaine Calloway.

VISIT THE BLASTER'S HOME PAGE HERE

Tuning your banjo

Musicians make a very big deal about "getting in tune." Fortunately, you're a banjo player, and therefore need not be so hung up. There are three basic ways to tune a banjo:

With a tuning fork: Tap the fork on a hard surface. Listen to the clear bell-like tone. Make sure none of your strings duplicate this tone.
With an electric tuner: Tap the tuner on a hard surface. Continue as with method (1).
With a fiddle: Tap the fiddle on a hard surface. Continue as above.

Playing with Musicians
Playing with musicians is always scary for the beginning banjo player. You should not be intimidated, though, because musicians like to have a banjo player or two around. Even the most mediocre group of musicians will sound great by contrast when a banjo player is added. So get in there and start jamming!

Three Myths Dispelled

Myth Number 1: It takes hard work and talent to play the banjo.
Fact: The only talent most banjo players have is a talent for avoiding hard work.

Myth Number 2: You can make good money playing the banjo.
Fact: People will frequently pay you much better money to stop.

Myth Number 3: Your banjo will make you friends wherever you go.
Fact: This is only true if you never go anywhere.

Basic rules for Jam sessions

1. Everyone should play the same piece.
2. Observe the repeat signs only if what you just played was interesting.
3. If you play a wrong note, glare at one of the other players.
4. The right note, at the wrong time, is a wrong note. (And vice versa.)
5. A wrong note, played timidly, is a wrong note.
6. A wrong note, played with authority, is simply your interpretation of the phrase.
7. If everyone gets lost except you, follow the ones who are lost.
8. Strive always to play the maximum notes per second. This will intimidate the weaker players and gain you the admiration of the ignorant.
9. Markings for slurs, dynamics, and accidentals should be completely ignored. They are only there to make the score look more complicated.
10. If a passage is difficult, slow down. If it is easy, speed up. Everything will even itself out in the end.
11. You have achieved a true interpretation when, in the end, you have not played one note of the original piece.
12. When everyone else stops playing, you should stop also. Do not play any notes you may have left over.

And Tablature for your practicing pleasure...
Lesson 10: The Universal Banjo Tune

----H----B---h---B----------H-------B---B-H--------
--h---H--B---------B--------H---H---B-H-B---H----
-----------B-----h-----B------H-B---------B-----H-----
----------------h-----------h----------h--------------------
----------------------------------------------------B--------
 

h=hit it! H=hit it harder! B=beat it!

John Huntsberger
Dave Frey
Sally Frey
Don Lewis
Janet Lewis
Andrew Otto
Thomas Straus
Billie Straus
George Yellich
Marry Yellich
Phil Wilking
Mark Rogers
John Leone
Shirly Leone
Jeff Grosser
Marcy Grosser-Mazor
John Mumford
Carol Mumford
Helen Daley
Bill Daley
Bea Hadsell
Joe Feager
Carol Feager
Steve Caddick
Dick Neuman
Sharon Neuman
Will Stuart
Pat Stuart
Ross Hubble
Bill Reed
Betty Loo Reed
Howie Basore
Donna Basore
Bob Rosenkranz
Jean Rosenkranz
Mark Hulse
Nora Hulse
Sue Nanninga
Bud Johnson
Deb Johnson
Bob Alexius
Patsy Alexius
Paul Blumentrit
Paul Blumentrit
Judy Muldawer
William Cooper
Kurt Abell
Athens Abell
Kent Heintz
Preston Jones
Don Luetje
Ginnie Lutje
Nathan Hanna
Ron McLaughlin
Carla McLaughlin
Larry Rutan
Johnny Baier
Tyler Jackson
Vinnie Mondello
Cynthia Sayer
Paul Poirier
Derek Kinder
Rick Blackmar
Tom Strause
John Frassa
Marjorie Gornall
Washboard Don Granberg
John Litty
Carol Litty
Richard Rader
Karen Rader
Bob Blomberg
Joanne Blomberg
Lou Stebner
Sheila Welt
William Cooper
Sue Horn
Garry Kerr
Harold Poole
Ed Jordan
Mona Lisa Lentini
Lee Chapman
Ardis Jarrett
Sally Johnson
Jill Weber
Ted Rodriguez
Bob Walker
Sandy Walker
Rick Blackmar
Paula Blackmar
Shelby Politte
Fritz Pritchett
Stephanie Consalvo
Robert Richardson
Marjorie Richardson
Bob Schaefer
Judy Muldawer
Michael Muldawer