The 2008 Line Up

Appearing at the 2008 jazz blues & bbq Festival at Killens Pond State Park will be the following performers.

Main Stage

Cyrus Chestnut

Cyrus Chestnut has established himself as one of the brightest and most resourceful of jazz pianists. He began his professional life working with celebrated modern artists, but his Jelly Roll Morton influences can still be heard. That is to say that Cyrus has learned from the great jazz cats of every generation, and it really shines through in his music "Nuts," as he is called, relies on his formidable gospel roots to express his affinity for early jazz forms, revealing "an orchestral command of the keyboard and a sophisticated sense of swing" . (People Magazine) .It is hard to find anyone with a subtler touch on the keys than Maryland-born Cyrus Chestnut, who draws from both modern and traditional jazz, while also flirting with R&B and gospel. Such eclecticism has found him performing alongside the likes of Vanessa Williams, Wynton Marsalis, and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars. On his latest project as a bandleader, Chestnut has gone in a seemingly unlikely direction. He recorded Cyrus Plays Elvis. He did not want a “tribute”disc, but simply his personal take on Elvis's more blues-tinged material. Cyrus always seems to present a fresh outlook to his music

Bryan Lee

A bona fide New Orleans blues guitar hero and longtime staple on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Bryan Lee is a natural born houserocker with a whole lot of soul that he brings to the bandstand night after night. Coming off a highly successful whirlwind tour with Kenny Wayne Shepherd's blues revue, Lee is primed and ready to unleash his own intensely passionate brand of blues power on tour this summer in the wake of his recent Justin Time release, Katrina Was Her Name. Bryan performed 2/14/07 on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno with Kenny Wayne Sheppard and Hubert Sumlin. The song played was "Tina Marie" written by Bryan which has become one of the top radio hits in the country. Bryan Lee is a true New Orleans name with over 30 years performing on Bourbon Street. Blind since birth, Bryan is a unique presence in the blues touring circuit.

Clarence Spady

Once you've seen and heard Clarence, you know you've been witness to one of the great guitar players of our time. He plays with a depth & sensitivity that can’t be taught. Effortlessly, combining blues, jazz, funk, and rock , the music seems to emanate from his soul, flow through his guitar, & encompass the audience. In short, Clarence is one of those artists that can actually move people. He brings out a range of emotions in the listener throughout his performances and recordings. His newest CD will be released on Severn Records in March 2008. Once described as "the future of the blues" by Bill Dahl, of the Chicago Tribune, his sound is now even more distinguishable.

Bro. Joe Baione Sextet

The relative rarity of vibraphonists in the history of jazz remains one of the musical genre’s true mysteries.  Despite the celebrated popularity of its most famous players – Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson – comparatively few artists have chosen to make the vibraphone their primary means of expression.  Fortunately, Joe Baione has and on Oh Yeah!!!, his second recording, he shows that the vibes and the mallets with which he plays them are in very good hands. Joining Mr, Baione will be his New York City group of all-star players.

Nothin’ But Trouble

What do you call four guys who write music, sing and have been the front man for their own blues bands. Now, after twenty-five years of friendship and basically that many bands, these friends are finally together! NOTHIN' BUT TROUBLE is comprised of former members of the Platters, Coasters, Drifters, Bill Kirchen's Band, and the Chubby Checker band and have opened for talents Johnny Winter, Bernard Purdie, and John Lee Hooker to name a few.

This band is one of the hottest new blues act to hit the streets. Four Singers, Four Writers, Four Front Men and Four Seasoned Professionals are like sixteen guys rolled into four. The sound of Joey’s guitar is as adventurous as the one by Hollywood Fats! The band's take on the blues is really enjoyable,dynamic and soulful, bringing to mind West Coast blues, but played with both imagination and grit. A tight band with strong, confident vocals!

Delaware State University Jazz Ensemble

The Delaware State University Jazz Ensemble is an outstanding group of student musicians. The D.S.U. Jazz Ensemble better known as "The Smooth Storm" is under the direction of Mr. Randolph J. Johnson. This group of 15 students perform a variety of forms of Jazz that include swing, bebop, cool jazz, fusion and various other styles.

This year marks the return of Mr. Randolph J. Johnson as Director of Bands at Delaware State University. Mr. Johnson held that position at D. S. U. from 1990-2001. During that time the D.S.U. Jazz Ensemble performed in London, England toured 3 countries in Europe (The Netherlands, Germany & Belgium), performed in Washington, D.C. for a conference of University presidents and performed on Television in the state of Delaware for the Delaware Heart Association Telethon. The D.S.U. Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform in Paris, France during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Over 40 of Mr. Johnson's former students are now music teachers. Graduates of this group have also moved on to performing and recording careers. Some of these alums include Otis Brown III (Drummer-the Joe Lovano Quartet), Dr. Carlton Cannon Jr. (Saxophone & Founder of the Jazz group Jabari), James Gibbs III (Trumpet, Arranger, Composer & Jazz Artist) and Christopher Lowery (Trumpet with pop star Shakira).

Mr. Johnson states, "We are very proud of our former members who often come back to assist & contribute to the organization. It is great inspiration to our present students when they see a graduate and here the words of wisdom and advice that they share with them."

As you listen to "The Smooth Storm" you're enjoying the sounds of future leaders, teachers & professional musicians as well as individuals that will make a positive contribution to society. The ensemble's repretoire includes selections by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Clifford Brown, Bob James and many others.

All Star Student Band

We are pleased to have an opportunity to gather some of Delaware's most promising young jazz performers together in a big band setting. The All Stars will be performing for the first time at the Jazz and Blues festival.

The All Stars are comprised of 'Delaware All State Jazz Band' performers selected from auditions conducted by Delaware band directors. We have asked players in both All State bands (Jr. and Sr. High) to participate in this event. The All Star Band also has four music instructors performing with and assisting our young players. These adult players, one in each section of the band, will help provide the performance and educational experience we want to share with these talented young performers.

The objective of this group is for the players to experience and perform a wide variety of big band music and just have fun!

Dance Stage

Barbone Street Jazz Band

The Barbone Street Jazz Band is one of Delaware Valley’s most popular Dixieland and Swing bands playing more than 160 gigs a year within a 100 mile radius of Philadelphia. They will headline the newly created Dance Stage at the Festival.

The six piece ensemble is led by clarinetist Steve Barbone . Their 60 + year old average age is worn as a badge of honor. During their formative years, jazz was the rage in clubs all over the country.Dixieland, New Orleans Jazz, Swing and Hot Dance music flourished during the 1940s and 50s. They were the right age to see and hear this type of music live. And in many cases, played it with some of the greatest jazz legends of the 20th century.

Paul Salter and Lindsay Simone

Paul Salter and Lindsay Simone have been dancing, teaching, and performing lindy hop, balboa and Collegiate Shag for nearly ten years. hey have competed all over the country and placed in national competetions including 1st place in the 2002 Virginia State Open Hollywood Lindy division. Lindsay and Paul are phanatics about swing dancing. Through extensive collection of movie clips and seeking out authentic dancers from back in the day, they have developed a great deal of detail in their interpetation of swing era dancing. With regard to teaching, the emphasis is on getting people onto the dance floor as quickly as possible with good solid technique. The lessons are aimed at entertaining as well as giving participants a solid foundation into the fundamentals of dancing.