These are the featured bands as of February 1, 2010.

Barnhart-Midiri Quartet
The Barnhart-Midiri Quartet offers unprecedented versions of songs from the Golden Age of American music. With styles ranging from ragtime to swing, blues to pop, the BMQ has taken critic and audience alike by storm and offers something for everyone. The BMQ includes the talented twins Paul and Joe Midiri—Paul plays drums, vibes and xylophones while Joe moves from clarinet to alto sax with ease. They meet up with husband-and-wife team Anne and Jeff Barnhart, who play flute and piano respectively. Jeff also handles the vocal duties while emceeing, although there are always free-wheeling comments from the other three. The respect and affection that the four have for each other and for their audience is evident in every performance they give, featuring music that is intricately arranged yet swinging, familiar yet fresh.

Anne Barnhart – flute
Jeff Barnhart – piano
Paul Midiri – drums, vibes, xylophone
Joe Midiri – clarinet, alto sax

BED
www.bedjazz.com
BED is the humorous acronym formed by the names Becky, Eddie, and Dan, three close friends who formed a new jazz group with an appealingly classic jazz sound. Vocalist Rebecca ("Becky") Kilgore, guitarist/banjoist/vocalist Eddie Erickson, trombonist Dan Barrett, and bassist Joel Forbes have worked in many different groups over the years, both on stage and in recording studios. All four are well known to international jazz audiences through their jazz party and festival appearances, and many recordings.

Audiences quickly fall in love with this group, not only for their musical talent, but also for their ability to connect with an audience through their personal warmth, sharp wit and delightful sense of humor. Treat yourself to nothing but good vibes coming from these sets!

Big Mama Sue Quartet
www.bigmamasue.com
Big Mama Sue Kroninger, the warbling washboard thumper, always brings an interesting mix of musicians to the festival, and this year it’s a pip. Joining Sue will be Goofy Gary Ryan, Musician of the Year '06, with his blazing banjo and usual sillies. And a Big Mama Sue group wouldn’t be complete without Mr. Excitement, Chris Calabrese, of Disney Japan fame, on piano. This trio promises to be at least entertaining, and hopefully outrageously fun.
Big Mama Sue is known for planning very entertaining sets with lots of audience interaction, and featuring her fabulous band members. Sue was Musician of the Year in '05, and you will hear her sing vintage blues and novelty tunes along with red hot mama specialties.
Goofy Gary Ryan, the esteemed leader of Ryan’s Raiders, is a veteran of MANY years of banjo hijinx. He is well known to Monterey audiences from his many years at the notorious Warehouse on Cannery Row.
Chris earned his moniker Mr. Excitement, by always being the most vibrantly exciting person on the bandstand at all times. A veteran of three tours of duty at Disney Japan (on the bicycle piano on Main Street) he plays an exciting blend of blistering rag and stride solos, as well as soulfully beautiful ballads.

Big Tiny Little Trio

Blue Street Jazz Band
www.bluestreetjazzband.com
The Blue Street Jazz Band has been one of the most innovative groups in classic jazz, performing classic jazz, blues, gospel and swing for over 18 years. Original songs and creatively conceived arrangements have been their hallmark, along with the musical expertise displayed by each individual member. Founded by Forrest Helmick and led by Dave Ruffner, former Dixieland Monterey Musician of the Year, Blue Street is unique in that they have three music educators in their line-up. Teaching youth clinics and performing educational shows is a large part of their mission.

The band showcases the singing of the "Siren of the San Joaquin," Ms. Sherri Colby, and although classic jazz is the cornerstone on which the band was built, they have earned the reputation as "The Bad Boys of Dixieland" for their eclectic tastes. They are known for their fast-paced, energetic, fun-filled performances that leave audiences dancing in the aisles.

Golden Gate Rhythm Machine 5
www.santhony.com/ggrm/
The Golden Gate Rhythm Machine is a small band with a big, swinging, fun-loving sound, produced by some of the best traditional jazz musicians in the country. They are celebrating their 24th anniversary together this year. They love to play a wide range of music, from the standard Dixieland favorites, through the West Coast originals of Lou Watters and Turk Murphy, to more recent standards and novelties played in a traditional style.

High Sierra Jazz Band
www.highsierrajazzband.com
Led by Pieter Meijers and his clarinet, this long-time band with its new sound is a hot West Coast style jazz group, and is still going strong after being a huge hit here in Monterey for the past four years. The band celebrated 27 years together in October and still features the original rhythm section of Bruce, Stan, Earl and Charlie. The band's sustained success is a combination of experience, a book full of fine tunes, and Pieter Meijer's dedicated leadership. Their hard-driving West Coast sound, bolstered by the clean alpine air in Three Rivers, California, always fills the room. Our advice is to get there early!

The International Sextet
At the 2007 San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, the Sextet caught the ear of Evergreen Jazz Festival director Sterling Nelson, who invited the band to perform a set at Evergreen in 2008. Having caused a sensation, they returned to Evergreen in 2009 and by all accounts their sets were the highlight of the festival!

HOT SWING describes the sound and approach of the International Sextet. Two world-class reed players and a take-no-prisoners rhythm section play New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City and Harlem Jazz with a generous helping of Boogie Woogie added to the mix. The Sextet repertoire includes music of Eddie Condon, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and others. The participation of ANITA THOMAS (reeds – originally from Sydney, Australia) and CARL SONNY LEYLAND (piano – a native of Southampton, England) allow the band to claim “International” status. They are joined by KIM CUSACK (reeds); KATIE CAVERA (guitar); CLINT BAKER (bass); and HAL SMITH (drums). The résumés of the individual musicians in the Sextet include stints with top jazz bands around the globe. In addition to their instrumental abilities, all the musicians sing!

The sweet and hot notes from the reeds and the swinging rhythm keep dancers on the floor and spellbound listeners glued to their seats!

Ivory & Gold
www.jeffbarnhart.com
Originally designed as a duo comprised of flautist Anne Barnhart and pianist/vocalist Jeff Barnhart, Ivory and Gold expands to a trio whenever possible to include Grammy-award winning Nashville jazz percussionist Danny Coots. As either a duo or trio, Ivory and Gold promises a unique and diverse musical experience drawing from 350 years of music.
As a duo, Anne and Jeff Barnhart bring much variety to their performances, due in large part to their rapport and their diverse backgrounds. Each holds a master’s in music, but Jeff has concentrated on the American forms of music such as ragtime, jazz and Tin Pan Alley, while Anne’s expertise lies in classical flute literature. They will be concentrating on ragtime, jazz and Broadway this time around. Audiences experience a sonic treat as flute and piano weave seamlessly through the ages, trading melodic and accompaniment ideas in a unique combination.
Ivory and Gold is currently enjoying a busy performing schedule in concert halls and festivals, ceremonies and private engagements. Most recently, they have played to standing ovations in such diverse places as Sun Valley, Idaho, Evergreen and Denver, CO, Sedalia, MO, Medford and Seaside, OR, Clearwater, FL, Victoria, BC and numerous California events including festivals and parties in Mammoth Lakes, Orange County, Monterey, Pismo Beach, Three Rivers and Eureka. Ivory and Gold also performs each year at the prestigious Keswick and Bude Jazz Weeks in England.
For more information about Ivory and Gold’s appearances or recordings, please visit www.jeffbarnhart.com.

Mixed Bag Barbershop Quartet
Bev Wesley - tenor vocals, Bill McCain - lead vocals, Kim Orloff - baritone vocals, Jerry Orloff - bass vocals
Four long-time barbershop singers started singing together in 2008, and their joyous singing of barbershop chords quickly made them a favorite on the barbershop circuit. Sometimes you’ll find your toe tapping, other times a tear in your eye. Whether they’re sharing the swing rhythms of Lullabye in Ragtime or Sentimental Journey; the soulful harmonies of the traditional Shenandoah; Beatles’ Songs; jazzy tight harmonies such as Creole Cutie; Broadway songs like Memory from CATS; or traditional barbershop songs like Swanee and Oh You Beautiful Doll, they’re loving every minute of harmonizing together.

The Midiri Brothers Sextet
www.midiribros.com
The Midiri Brothers are leaders of various small group jazz ensembles and also lead a 16-piece big band orchestra, featuring authentic yet creative performances of the music of Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Red Norvo, amongst many others, as well as the Midiri Brothers’ own special arrangements in the tradition of the Swing and Dixie eras - all under the direction of clarinetist Mr. Joe Midiri. In 2002, the Midiri Brothers Sextet made their West Coast debut at the Costa Mesa Classic Jazz Festival in California and were the official hit of the festival, so much so that L.A. Jazz magazine stated “the Midiri Brothers . . . rank near the top of swing players who are active today” and “Catch them whenever you can!” as well as “their sextet is one of the most exciting small group swing units around today The Midiri Brothers spirited, jazzy performances are certain to bring back memories for those who remember the heyday of swing, while sure to please and intrigue those new to this exciting style.

Their Sextet’s talented band members are Dan Tobias on Trumpet, Pat Mercuri on Guitar, Jim Lawlor on Drums, and Gary Cattley on Bass.

Mission Gold Jazz Band
Winner of the Battle of the Bands
www.jazzdance.org
With a name inspired by the golden hills above Fremont's Mission San Jose, Mission Gold is an eight piece, two cornet band consisting of a variety of multi-talented musicians from all over the Bay Area. MGJB was formed in 1980 and has a long tradition of performing the music of Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Lu Watters and Turk Murphy. The band plays standards and more common tunes in the swing genre. The main goal is to please the dancers, strutters, and jazz listeners.
They offer a variety of Dixieland styles, including Marches, Blues, Ragtime and Stomps. They encourage audience participation during tunes reminiscent of the cakewalk, parasol strutting and to raise your voices to sing along with the band.

Royal Society Jazz Orchestra
www.rsjo.com
Don Neely and the ten piece Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, from San Francisco, are renowned for authentically capturing the exciting sound of Big Band Swing, Hot Syncopated Jazz, Blues, and music of the Cotton Club. Innovators such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Bix Biederbecke, and Louis Armstrong are among the RSJO's inspirations. Yet, you will discover immediately upon seeing them live or listening to their recordings, that the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra has an intriguing personality and style of its own.
Dancers are electrified by the sound of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Songs in their repertoire include those written by George Gershwin, Fats Waller, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Walter Donaldson, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer and many others from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, Vaudeville, and the Silver Screen. They are proud to announce the arrival of their new CD, Déjà vu?

Sweet Thursday Jazz Band
The Sweet Thursday Jazz Band takes its name from Steinbeck’s Cannery Row sequel and captures the flavor of early jazz days on the "Row." Some of the musicians have been performing in various Cannery Row haunts like Dick O’Kane’s Warehouse, Kalisa’s Café and Doc Rickett's Lab over the past 25 years. The band was formed in 2002 expressly to perform at various functions celebrating Steinbeck’s birth centennial, and has continued on reconfiguring itself (chameleon-like, says Bob) depending on the occasion and the musicians’ schedules.

Leader Bob Phillips, Dixieland Monterey’s Honored Musician-of-the-Year in 2002, is a pianist of great talent, and comfortable playing almost any style of music. He can trace his musical history on the Central Coast to the 1970s when he played with Jake Stock’s Abalone Stompers around Monterey and Big Sur.

Taking Stock with Jackson
Jackson Stock grew up in Monterey, California, in a musical family where both parents were accomplished musicians. At an early age he was an integral part of the family group, the Abalone Stompers that went on to develop quite a local reputation. In his early twenties, Jackson attended San Francisco State College where he began the study of music theory. Upon receiving a scholarship from the Down Beat magazine, Stock transferred to Berklee College of Music in 1969 when he was 25. It was here that he met Herb Pomeroy among other Berklee luminaries. Jackson participated in and wrote for many ensembles, including the famed Berklee recording band and a group that featured Charlie Mariano, Abraham Laboriel and Gary Anderson. It was also during this time that Jackson met the founder of Walking In Beauty , Harry Blazer. Upon graduating, Jackson was a Levy Award winner along with Hal Crook, signifying that they were regarded as the top composers and arrangers of their graduating class. So it was not surprising that upon his graduation Jackson was offered a teaching job with Berklee and for three years taught arranging, composition, counterpoint and ear training. Over the next thirty years, Jackson spent time in New England, Las Vegas, Monterey and Los Angeles playing and writing for many well-known artists. He has received recent acclaim for his arrangements and compositions for Carl Saunders, which are featured on a number of Carl's recent CDs.

Titan Hot Seven
www.titanhotseven.com
The Titan Hot Seven remains one of the hottest jazz bands on land and sea! A most versatile ensemble, this band of merry men features traditional jazz, swing, ballads, ragtime, novelty tunes and spontaneous, outrageous humor in every one of their sets. Rather than relying on set arrangements, the Titans tailor their music and mirth to each audience, guaranteeing that every show is full of surprises for everyone, including the performers!
Hailed by fan, musician and critic alike, the Titan Hot Seven possesses a powerhouse ensemble capable of going from a whisper to a roar in the space of one tune. The musicians’ rapport with their audience and each other combines with their hot, hot playing and between tune shenanigans, flooding the band with requests to return to virtually every festival and club they have played. They continue to be featured artists with Jazzdagen tours, bringing their musical mayhem to all corners of the globe!
The band currently has 5 CDs that have garnered A+ ratings from AMERICAN RAG columnist Cam Miller. Don Jones, publisher and editor of THE AMERICAN RAG, calls them “the hands-down best Tent-Packers,” so get there early if you want a seat!!

Tom Rigney and Flambeau
www.rigomania.com
Tom Rigney, the fiery, electrifying violinist/composer, has joined forces with some of the finest musicians on the San Francisco roots music scene to form a band that generates enough heat and energy to ignite a dance floor or lift an audience to its feet. Rigney, after fifteen years at the helm of The Sundogs (and, before that, with Queen Ida's Bon Temp Zydeco Band), has stepped into the spotlight with a vengeance. Flambeau showcases his passionate, virtuoso fiddling, his commanding, charismatic stage presence and his originality as a composer, and, of course, those notorious red boots!

Vaché-Cocuzzi Quintet
Allan Vache and John Cocuzzi back by popular demand as the Vache-Cocuzzi Quintet

This is swingin' and burnin' jazz played with passion and intensity by world class musicians. For more than twenty years, Allan Vaché and John Cocuzzi have been performing together in various combos at jazz parties and festivals around the world. When it comes to the music of jazz legend Benny Goodman, they are the premier group to hear in concert. The year 2009 marked the 100th birthday of Benny Goodman, and clarinetist Allan Vache was given permission by the Goodman Estate and Bill Hyland, its executor, to present “A Benny Goodman Centennial Tribute" show that featured many well-known hot swing artists, including John Cocuzzi, Warren Vaché, John Allred, and many others. In October 2009, Vaché and Cocuzzi toured Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with a small combo made of international stars, performing Benny Goodman's music to sold-out crowds that truly appreciated.
www.johncocuzzimusic.com

www.altissimo-music.com

We3
www.jeffbarnhart.com
A trio in the Benny Goodman style featuring clarinet, piano and drums. Bob Draga’s soaring melodies, inspired improvisations and rich tone are supported by the sensitive yet powerful piano work of Jeff Barnhart. Both are backed by Danny Coot’s endlessly intricate and inventive rhythms and artistry. In performance, We3 covers over 60 years of music, ranging from ragtime to stride, ballads to bounces, and a surprise or two thrown in! Experience the delightful work and simpatico of a trio featuring gifted, emotional players that are above and beyond, true friends.

Yve Evans & Co.
www.yveevans.com
Whether performing jazz, blues, or gospel, Yve Evans’ music reaches out and touches the souls of the people that hear it. As a singer and pianist, Yve has performed all around the world and played with some of the greats in jazz. She’s recorded five CDs, all done live and in only one take the way jazz was meant to be.

Yve’s band (she calls it her Company) is comprised of some of the industry's most accomplished musicians. Performances of Yve Evans & Co. show a dedication to the tradition and understanding of jazz and its timeless repertoire. The goal is sharing the sheer joy and freedom that music brings, or at the very least taking the audience on a musical roller coaster ride with Yve at the helm.