BED
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! www.bedjazz.com

Blue Street Jazz Band
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 www.bluestreetjazzband.com

Bye Bye Blues Boys
This local musical group of seasoned veterans of the jazz and swing era is lead by Don Pellerin who was honored as Dixieland Monterey’s Musician of the Year in 2001. Bringing a fresh and exhilarating approach to genuine Dixieland tunes, the players are all individually excellent, and together produce a terrific sound that keeps the enjoyment level high and exciting. Don believes that musicians have a choice: “Be average, be good, or be great!” He also believes that the power of music brings out the genius in some musicians.

Carl Sonny Leyland Trio
Carl Sonny Leyland has the boogie in his bones! Leyland grew up in Southampton, England, where the rhythm and sounds of boogie woogie piano captured his imagination. In 1988, Leyland immigrated to America and settled in New Orleans before moving to Southern California. The trio’s rollicking music carries the influences of New Orleans traditional jazz, ragtime, swing and blues.

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.

Titan Hot Seven
TThe 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!!

Yve Evans & Co.
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. www.yveevans.com

Danny Coots
Danny Coots started playing drums at the age of 6 in northern New York. He continued his education at Crane School of Music and St. Lawrence University. Danny became adjunct faculty at St. Lawrence University, Clarkson University and Potsdam State University from the mid-1970s into the 1990s, while traveling and performing.

Ten years ago, Danny moved to make his home in Nashville, Tennessee. There he joined the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band for 5 years, and helped to found the Titan Hot Seven while playing and recording with Dave Hungate, Bill Allred, Randy Reinhart, Ron Hockett, John Cocuzzi, John Sheridan, Dan Barrett, Allen Vache, Vince Giordano and Rebecca Kilgore, to name a few. Danny has recorded extensively in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles, having played drums on over 25 recordings, one of which received a Grammy in 2005. He has performed throughout the world, having appeared in 60 countries.

Paul Keller
Leader of the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra, which plays original, obscure and classic big-band material from all periods of jazz history, Paul began playing at 12 and was playing jazz gigs by age 16. Paul is also co-leader of the popular Keller/Kocher Quartet and the Paul Keller Ensemble, a three-horn sextet featuring some of the best Ann Arbor and Detroit area musicians. Paul is a prolific composer and arranger for these three groups, and his groups are well known and highly regarded throughout Michigan. He has been recognized nationally for his association with pianist/singer Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone. In 1999, Paul formed BOPO Records, now known as, Paul Keller Orchestra, his own recording label which grew to include 14 CDs.

Paul is currently on the faculty of the University of Michigan teaching in the jazz studies program and can be contacted at kellermusic@comcast.net. For more information about Paul Keller, his jazz group and the other featured artists on the PKO Records label, log onto www.pkorecords.com.