INVITED BANDS 2019
The Fresno Dixieland Society will once again bring you the music you like best. The Society and Mardi Gras Committee have worked hard to present the very best of Traditional Jazz with a touch of Zydeco. Help support these efforts by becoming a SPONSOR.
NEW FOR 2020
The Black Market Trust are an American Traditional Pop/Vocal Jazz group from Los Angeles who combine the sounds of the legendary American crooners and vocal groups with the fire and energy of Gypsy Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Consisting of five world class musicians who have traveled the globe recording and performing on the world’s biggest stages and with music’s most renowned artists, The Black Market Trust capitalize on their experience and pedigree to deliver a high energy, crowd pleasing performance filled with some of the best songs ever written.
The live show features material from The Great American Songbook infused with Django’s romantic and virtuosic flavor. Add some intricate vocal harmonies, a dash of Rat Pack-style comedy and it’s clear to audiences why The Black Market Trust have quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier live acts performing in music today. Be transported as they meld two distinctly different vibes- one of a gypsy campfire, the other a slick metropolitan nightclub- into a cohesive, stylish sound.
Bay City Swing Band
Bay City Swing is here! Formerly Evolution of The Oregon Coast Lab Band, Bay City Swing is comprised of former Evolution members along with a few new faces. Still associated with the Oregon Coast Lab Band, Bay City Swing is a collaboration of all the musicians in the band. Officially starting in early July 2017, Bay City Swing has very quickly made an impact in Oregon’s Bay Area and the festival world. The band has a Big Band feel and Crooner stylings that swing across many decades. Make sure you see the high energy performance of Bay City Swing.
RETURNING FOR 2020
Original songs and creatively conceived arrangements have been the hallmark of the band along with expertise displayed by each individual member on their respective instrument. The band features the singing of Sherri Colby. While traditional jazz is the cornerstone of Blue Street, they are also known for their eclectic tastes in music. Musical styles performed by the band include: Swing, Mardi Gras, Folk songs, Marches, Waltzes and Gospel.
A group of excellent musicians who combine West Coast Jazz influenced by Turk Murphy and Bob Scobey. They have a pleasing style with great rhythm that dancers can also enjoy. Traditional jazz at its very best.
Brian Casserly plays trumpet, trombone and is also a vocalist with Cornet Chop Suey. A professional musician since the age of 14, Brian has played for many greats in the music business, including Tony Bennett,Tex Beneke, Stan Kenton, Chuck Berry and even Tiny Tim. He has also played the prestigious Monterey Pops Festival. He is an in-demand session musician, having performed in many commercials, recordings and musicals in the U.S. and Canada and is the past musical director for the S.S. Admiral, a riverboat on the St. Louis riverfront. After touring the U.S. and Europe for several years with his own jazz band and a St. Louis- based blues band, he decided to devote his musical talents entirely to traditional jazz, playing concerts and festivals as well as recording with several St. Louis bands. He is a favorite of the festival circuit and we are honored to have him at Sounds of Mardi Gras.
Playing a hot and tight British version of New Orleans Traditional Jazz, this group is well know by festival fans. They play a wide range of marches, rag, blues, spirituals and popular songs.
Come join the fun with your instrument. Cornetist Dick Williams organizes and leads jam sessions that are increasingly popular for musicians, listeners and dancers.
Gator Nation, formerly known as Gator Beat, is the West Coast’s premiere Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans R&B band. There performance is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, high energy concert that will have you dancing in a heart beat. With the same survival instinct as its namesake, Gator Nation continues to adapt itself to its audiences, always with something fresh yet true to its calling. That calling is to represent the music of South Louisiana in all its forms, Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans style. They have the talent and diversity to do so, to express the nuances that define the genres. The result is a remarkable show with so much variety and depth that at the end of the show, the Gator Nation Band leaves you happy and hollerin’ “Gimme Some Mo”!
Vintage Rock and Roll at its best. Gino and the Lone Gunmen is a three man groupt that performs a rockin mix of Rockabilly, Swing Blues, Country, and Vintage Rock and Roll. Their song catalog inlcudes rockin' and swingin' original music, as well as favorites from Elvis, Buddy Holly and the Beatles. Since making their debut at the 2012 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, the band has been gaining more and more fans from around the world.
Creating their own uniquely captivating version of New Orleans Jazz, the band plays a mixture of "British Trad" with alot of old time American verve. Their energy is contagious, appreciated by both listeners and dancers.
High Sierra has been a festival favorite. With the passing of Earl McKee and retirement of Stan and Bruce Huddleston, the band continues to entertain with a few new members and new band name. We want to welcome Sierra Seven Jazz Band for their inaugural Sounds of Mardi Gras performance. We look forward to a performance that will retain the sound we so love and have come to expect.
Popular at any festival they attend, this is the first time Sister Swing comes to Fresno. They are an exciting trio of ladies that capture the swing era with their vocalizations. Always glamorous, they will take you back in time to romantic memories and the innocence of yesteryear. If you like the music of the 30's and 40's in the style of the Andrews Sisters, you will not want to miss a single set.
The Stardusters bandleader, Mark Stolte, is nephew to the original bandleader, Paul “Ziggy” Zimmerman, of the Big Band era Stardusters. In a transition period between bands in 2007, and in an effort to pinpoint a direction in style of music and entertainment along with a new name, Mark and his uncle tossed around the idea of maybe using the name of Uncle's old band. They both liked the idea, thus beginning the new era of the Stardusters. Mark and his Stardusters are now performing a wonderful variety of Swing music, Waltzes and Latin rhythms from this great period the late 30's, thru the 40's and early 50's. The Stardusters Band is an easy listening combo with a very danceable repertoire. They are a truly enjoyable musical experience. The Stardusters are dedicated to the preservation and the continued live performance of this and all the great music that came to us during the most awesome of musical times, the Big Band era!
RECORDING: Fly Me to the Moon
Playing Cajun and Zydeco rhythms, this band stands out as an experience at any Traditional Jazz festival. They bring a burst of energy to a Boogie Woogie and a passionate intensity to a waltz. Listen, dance or simply stomp your feet.
The band's repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz favorites. Their entertaining performance is sure to please
Youth Bands
Enjoy the future of OKOM played by our youngest musicians. Invited Youth Bands: River Rats, Hallmark School Jazz Band and Dixie Dominus. We continue to work very hard to encourage these young musicians by bringing them to our festival. Each year we hope to bring more youth bands to experience the Sounds of Mardi Gras. This year we were able to send 6 young musicians to the Teagarden Summer Jazz Camp in Sacramento. We continue to make every effort to support our youth. On Friday of each festival we also bring in students from different school band programs to participate in a seminar given by some of our finest professional musicians. This has been well received by both students and professional musicians. Thank you for your continued support.
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