Dixieland Jazz, America's original art form, found its roots in the
street music of New Orleans. As it moved up the Mississippi River it
experienced new life and interpretive diversity. Today, Dixieland that
reflects this coming of age can be found in the "New Sound" of New South
Jazzmen who echo the rebirth of lively rhythms and toe tapping favorites
that have become standards from Chicago to New York and back to its
roots in the South.
New South Jazzmen includes six musicians who have brought their diverse
musical backgrounds together to recreate the sounds of the 1920's and
30's. The upright bass of David Michael Ruddy along with the banjo of
Denny Hallock and drums of Bill McSweeney, Sr. drive the band's
renditions of tunes that were all the rage of a bygone era. The
traditional front line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet makes the
combination of upper and lower Mississippi sounds complete. Stephan
Berry's mastery of the trumpet is clear when he strokes the stars with
his singing high notes while the laid back style of Neale Baugh's
clarinet compliments the tailgate hum of Bill McSweeney, Jr's slide
trombone.
All in all, the "front line" of New South Jazzmen blends harmony and
blue notes to create a Dixieland feeling that fits perfectly with
special events. Combining a light easy touch for quiet gatherings and
heart felt movement for those more lively affairs makes The New South
Jazzmen ideal for a memorably musical experience.
The Members of New South Jazzmen
Trumpet / Cornet - Stephan Berry This classically trained trumpet
player from Ohio has spent his life as a music educator and performer in
the Cincinnati area. Since moving to Charleston near the turn of the
millennium he has been a much sought after solo and ensemble trumpet
player for weddings, big band gigs, and small ensemble performances. His
ability to read even the toughest charts and to ad lib make him a potent
force on the Charleston music scene.
Clarinet - Neale Baugh Neale's retirement move to Charleston in
the early '90's meant the addition of one of the sweetest sounds in
Clarinet playing the local music scene has known. His relaxed dapper
manner is reflected in his musical interpretation of the music and
serves to balance the straight-ahead force that the rest of the band
exudes.
Trombone - Bill McSweeney, Jr. Twenty years with the Early Days
Jazz Band of Charleston and
numerous sessions of jazz gigging as well as a love for history make
Bill appreciative of the ability of a group to remain true to the style
of the music. This Charleston native has seen the transformation of the
local music scene and played right along with the restoration of
Charleston as a musical destination for players and audiences alike.
Guitar Banjo - Denny Hallock This string man's the quintessential
professional of the Charleston
music scene and is sought after in more than a few local groups. He has
played it all. His quick ear for harmony and melody make him a guitar
player's guitar player. With New South Jazzmen he showcases his
diversity with his use of his banjo.
Upright String Bass - David Ruddy The Big Man with the Big
Violin, David "walks the bass"
with drive and good taste. His four beat bass presses home the sounds of
Chicago in the 1920s like no other bassist. Slap string solos and
careful blue notes make David a pleasure to watch and to hear.
Drums - Bill McSweeney, Sr. The father of the trombonist son,
Bill Sr. has been a fixture in the
Charleston music scene since his days as a drummer stationed on
Sullivan's Island during the last "Great War". His big band background
and his sense of humor mean that the music is going to swing and sing
with every beat.
Ain't Gonna Give
You None Of This Jelly Roll
Ain't
Misbehavin'
Alexander's Ragtime Band
All Of Me
At Sundown
Avalon
Basin
Street Blues
Big
Butter And Egg Man
Black Bottom
Black And
Blue
Blue Skies
Blues My
Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
Bourbon
Street Parade
Buddy
Bolton Blues
Bye Bye
Blackbird Band
Bye Bye Blues
Canal Street Blues
Careless Love Blues
Caren
Carena
Carolina In The Morning
Charleston
Darktown Strutters Ball
Dinah
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?
Doctor
Jazz Stomp
Down By The Riverside
Farewell Blues
Frankie &
Johnny
Georgia Grind
Georgia On My Mind
Hard Hearted Hannah
Hello Dolly
Honeysuckle Rose
I Ain't
Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jelly Roll
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
I 've Found A New Baby
Ida
Indiana
Jada
Jazz Me Blues
Joe Avery Blues
Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Just A Little While To Stay Here
Mack The
Knife
Maggie
Margie
Make Me A
Pallet On The Floor (At Atlanta Blues)
New
Orleans
Nobodies Sweetheart Now
On The Sunnyside Of The Street
Pennies From Heaven
Please
Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Preacher
Saint Louis Blues
Sheik Of
Araby
Shine
Some Of
These Days
South
St James
Infirmary Blues
Strutting With Some Barbecue
Sugar
Summertime
Sunday
Sweet Georgia Brown
Sweet Sue
That's A Plenty
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
Tiger Rag
Tin Roof Blues
Tipperary
Ugly
Child
Up A Lazy
River
Washington & Lee Swing
West End Blues
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
What A
Wonderful World
When You Wore A Tulip
Whispering
Who's Sorry Now?
Won't You
Come Home Bill Bailey?
You're Drivin' Me Crazy