The current iteration of the NOLA Jazz Band has been playing regularly since March 2015. On that date the band started their ongoing monthly “New Orleans Jazz Party” every first Friday of the month playing to packed and many times sold out shows. All band members have a common love for the sound and “feel” of both traditional and current New Orleans based music – real, gutsy, raw, heartfelt, and entertaining.
The NOLA Jazz Band has recently played alongside a number of well-known traditional jazz and music groups including Davina & The Vagabonds from Minneapolis, Bria Skonberg from New York City, and Dom Flemons of The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Band members have also shared the stage with Vincent Gardner, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Kurt Elling, and many others. NOLA Jazz Band members have also been inducted into the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The band had a busy summer schedule playing the Mainstage of The Des Moines Arts Festival, Lakeside Dixieland Festival in Clear Lake, and the Galena Arts Festival in Galena, Illinois. In addition they played for the Jazz in July finale at Valley Junction, and were the opening act for the First Des Moines Jazz Festival this September. Appreciative audiences, musicians, promoters and positive word of mouth has created a busy performance schedule and continued demand for their music as they build their reputation regionally and across the US.
To commemorate their first year full year together they released their first album in March, 2016 – NOLA Jazz Band Vol. 1 “Genesis – Live from the ARK”. CD’s are available at live shows, online at iTunes and CD Baby as well as streaming on Spotify.
NOLA Band members playing at NOCE this month are:
Jeff Kane – Band Leader. Clarinet and vocals.
Scott Davis – Cornet.
Anthony Williams – Trombone.
Abbie Sawyer – Vocals.
Pete Vanderiet – Bass and Sousaphone
Jamie Poulson – Piano.
John Spike – Drums and washboard.
Josh Gorman – Acoustic Guitar.