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The South Burgundy Street Jazz Band, (SBSJB), was started by Mike Olson in 2006. He got the top performers in Southern California to play with him on the premise they are going to play the old Firehouse Five plus Two style. Boy! Do they do that, with their siren and all.
     A very high energy band with very competent players that understand the music and the way it should be approached with total flawless execution. The quality of their music is of the highest caliber and their arrangements are exciting and contagious. They get standing ovations and encores at every festival and jazz club they play.
     The South Burgundy Street Jazz Band is not simply a copy of that which once was and remained behind. Their musicians bring to the present a culture that will form part of us for ever. And it is brought with enthusiasm, sensitivity, the colouring in staves of paper which are really much more than this: these are the paths along which our deepest & most beautiful emotions can travel.
This band is a must see.

Colorado River Jazz Festival - Blythe Calif.

Printed in the May, 2007 edition of the American Rag

May 17 2007 Glenn Ent. Inc.

By Barbara Glenn

Jet planes don't land here. Cruise ships don't stop here, although there is a major water source within walking distance. RV's park adjacent to the front gate and their residents easily return to rest between sets. Most jazz fans enjoy a pleasant, 2- r 3- hour drive from cities in Arizona and California to reach the Colorado River Jazz Festival in Blythe, California.

The third annual festival was held the last weekend in February under sunny skies - ideal daytime weather for enjoying the outdoor venue with its large dance floor. Evenings proved too chilly for this setting. On Friday night, festival goers crowded the indoor venue (with comfortable chairs, tables, and another dance floor) to enjoy performances by Chicago 6, the Wildcat Jass Band and the Reynolds Brothers. With the crowd growing on Saturday, Festival Director Sam Patel created a second indoor venue for that evening in the building housing the bands' "green room". Igor and his posse offered a rare "round robin" performance. No one left the "SRO" audience except other musicians who stopped by to grab some of the home cooked vittles before heading off to perform.

Bands ranged from the "old timers" - Night Blooming Jazzmen - to the newly-formed South Burgundy Street Jazz Band. The latter featured well known musicians including George Probert, Robert Butler and Mike Olson. Their lively brand of Traditional Jazz had the audience on their feet, demanding an encore.

Musicians are treated well at this small festival and are provided the opportunity to relax and visit between performances rather than having to dash from set to set. It gives fans a chance for an "up close and personal" experience with their favorite bands and performers.
The Valley Jazz Club

 South Burgundy Street Jazz Band Plays to standing room only

 
Seven men, tried and true, came to play, and boy, did they play. The first number, “Bogalus Stomp’ raised heads and got the audience attention. They were dynamic. The band played an hour of oldies, sometimes moldies, but always with a positive attitude. This band came to enjoy themselves, and to entertain while playing. 

What followed was a program of numbers from our misspent youth. “Love Nest” (George and Gracie Allen theme), and “Tuck Me to Sleep in ,Tucky”, with vocals by CJ Sams. A broken Banjo string neces-sitated a change of program, so Pat Aranda, accompanied by Ray Cadd and Jeff Fish, rendered a sensational ragtime version of “King Porter Stomp”

All this up-tempo syncopation was followed by a waltz version of “Girl of My Dreams”,--vocals by CJ.

A number penned by Sylvia Fine (wife of Danny Kaye) featured the vocals of CJ. The charts for this number were procured from the Columbia Pictures archives. Robert Butler came to the mic to sing a good natured rendition of “You Got to See Your Momma Every Night”, with guteral trombone solo. Irving Berlin’s “Marie”, with CJ of vocals followed, Final number in the program was “Big Bear Stomp”. The audience stood and cheered.

The show closed with a tribute to George Olson, the bassist for Night Blooming Jazzmen, who had passed away recently. CJ recounted the gentility and character of George, and his long career across the world. He will be missed.

Memories I carry are manifold.. This band, played as one with one sound, and impressions linger.

The melodic bass line of Ray Cadd, with Jeff Fish, backing the incredible Pat Aranda ragtime solo.

The clear, clean vocals of CJ Sams, who MC’d the performance, and gave us the pleasure of hearing his fine cornet.

And we can never forget the dynamics of the George Probert’s soaring saxaphone, which was present on every number. 

Look for this band at your upcoming jazz festival. They cannot be overlooked. This was a 5 star show.
                                                             

 

John Ryan

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Lakeside Jazz Club
 
On October 7, 2007, members of the Lakeside Jazz Club in Lake Elsinore, along with the guests at their monthly Dixieland Jazz dance, were absolutely delighted by the sounds of the South Burgundy Street Jazz Band. From the opening siren to the final chord, listeners and dancers alike were awed by the quality of this performance.
 
With flawless precision, the members of the band played as one, while solos on every instrument demonstrated a most professional level of expertise. This was easily one of the best bands ever to play this venue, and the unanimous acclaim left no hesitation in booking them for a return engagement.
 
This was truly an event that will linger long in the memories of everyone in attendance, and next year’’s performance is sure to be anxiously anticipated. We wholeheartedly suggest that wherever the South Burgundy Street Jazz Band is playing next, you make an effort to be there - you won't regret it!
 
Lonnie Selstad,
Music Director Lakeside Jazz Club