Saturday, September 23, 2006
Jazzabillies: ‘Show Me’ western swing
From The Lake Sun Leader
International acclaim has launched the Jazzabilies to the helm of western swing music. But in order to delve into a Texas-born genre, the band had to present not only their unique sound and harnessed talents to listeners and promoters, but also bring it to the table with a kick.
That's why the group's original tune, "Show Me," boasts the Jazzabillies motto, "kickin' western swing," and allows avid enthusiasts of the genre to give kudos to Missouri musicians.
"When we did {our} CD, we wanted to explain who we were and what our group was about, so we titled [our tune and CD], 'Show Me,' which is also our state's slogan," said lead vocalist and composer Starla Queen. "It's similar to the bluegrass song, 'Mama Don't Allow,' in its set-up. It's a vocal song, but it gives several instrumental breaks to introduce each band member.
At that time, the band included Queen, Jimmy, Dave Owens on bass, Tony Smith on fiddle, Matt De'Peiro on accordian and Matt Wallace on drums. Jazzabillies played regularly at Kula Bay, in Hurricane Deck, for sometime, but when the summer season drew to a close, the musicians pursued their own projects.
Steel guitar and vocalist Scotty Henderson as well as Dave Owens, also played in that country ensemble, belting out a lot of the same rockabilly, jazz and western swing tunes the Jazzabillies play today. The quartet now makes up the current Jazzabillies with drummer Ronnie Blecher and appearences by vocalist and guitarist Lonnie Patteson.
Read the article
Lake Sun Leader
International acclaim has launched the Jazzabilies to the helm of western swing music. But in order to delve into a Texas-born genre, the band had to present not only their unique sound and harnessed talents to listeners and promoters, but also bring it to the table with a kick.
That's why the group's original tune, "Show Me," boasts the Jazzabillies motto, "kickin' western swing," and allows avid enthusiasts of the genre to give kudos to Missouri musicians.
"When we did {our} CD, we wanted to explain who we were and what our group was about, so we titled [our tune and CD], 'Show Me,' which is also our state's slogan," said lead vocalist and composer Starla Queen. "It's similar to the bluegrass song, 'Mama Don't Allow,' in its set-up. It's a vocal song, but it gives several instrumental breaks to introduce each band member.
At that time, the band included Queen, Jimmy, Dave Owens on bass, Tony Smith on fiddle, Matt De'Peiro on accordian and Matt Wallace on drums. Jazzabillies played regularly at Kula Bay, in Hurricane Deck, for sometime, but when the summer season drew to a close, the musicians pursued their own projects.
Steel guitar and vocalist Scotty Henderson as well as Dave Owens, also played in that country ensemble, belting out a lot of the same rockabilly, jazz and western swing tunes the Jazzabillies play today. The quartet now makes up the current Jazzabillies with drummer Ronnie Blecher and appearences by vocalist and guitarist Lonnie Patteson.
Read the article
Lake Sun Leader
# posted by Dave Sichak @ 9:15 PM 
