Entertaining, engaging and swings like crazy are found in The Jugalug Stringband, who are coming to the Down South Jazz Club to perform Christmas festivities live at Club Sapphire on Thursday, December 13.
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Having released three successful albums, Waltz Mysterioso, Six Pack and Wabash Blues, they are regular performers for the Sydney Jazz Club and at packed houses at major east coast jazz festivals.
The group formed in December 2005 for a quick gig in an Eastern Suburbs restaurant. But when everyone got into the music and even the cooks abandoned the kitchen to join in, it was decided to stick together and the Jugalug Stringband was born!
The Jugalug Stringband plays a repertoire of pre-western swing music based on the styles of early string and jug bands of the 1920s and ‘30s, the instruments dating back to the early part of the 20th Century.
The members are all veterans of the acoustic music scene.
They include Phil Donnison, who plays ukulele, guitar, lap steel guitars, kazoo, nose flute and handles the vocals.
Donnison also performs with Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band and Mic Conway's National Junk Band among others.
Stewart Binsted plays tenor banjo, guitar, ukulele and jug.
He and Donnison have also performed with Tiny Tim.
Marcus Holden plays the violin, strohviol, resonator mandolin and resophonic tenor guitar.
He has also performed with Diesel and the Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.
Adam Barnard plays washboard and traps.
Being the son of the late drummer Len Barnard and the nephew of well-known trumpet player Bob Barnard, Adam has kept up the family musical tradition.
Stan Valacos plucks, strums, slaps and bows the double bass.
He is in great demand and performs regularly with George Washingmachine, Ian Date, Bob Barnard and Geoff Bull. Down South Jazz Club members will remember Valacos as only last month he visited with The Date Bros Combo.
This will be a real fun night and a great way to finish a year of excellent jazz, bringing back the fun and excitement of traditional stringband jazz of the between-war years.
The cost is $15 for jazz club members and $20 for visitors with music starting at 7.30pm. Bookings can be made with Aileen and Kevin Walsh on 6495 9853, at bookings@downsouthjazzclub.org.au, or will be available on the night at the door.
The Club Sapphire bistro opens at 6pm if you would like a meal before the show.
