The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band is a jazz ensemble active since the 1970s.
The band was initiated by Al Vollmer in 1973, noting that a significant pool of jazz musicians who had played in the 1920s and 1930s lived in New York City and had retired as musicians. Its first bandleader was Clyde Bernhardt, who was replaced in 1980 by Bobby Williams. The band is touring in the US and in Europe since 1976 and has edited several LPs and CDs. The band hosted its 40th Anniversary Celebration on April 19, 2013, in New York.
Members Doc Cheatham – trumpet Willie Singleton – trumpet Francis Williams – trumpet Art Baron – trombone Eddie Durham – trombone Roy Williams – trombone Barbara Dreiwitz – tuba Johnny Williams – tuba Happy Caldwell – clarinet Ray Blue – saxophone Bubba Brooks – saxophone Eddie Chamblee – saxophone Charles Frazier – saxophone Charlie Holmes – saxophone George James – saxophone George Kelly – saxophone Fred Staton – saxophone Reuben Jay Cole – piano Dill Jones – piano Reynold Mullins – piano Ram Ramirez – piano Gene Rodgers – piano Peck Morrison – bass Al Casey – guitar Fred Wurtzel – guitar Jackie Williams – drums Tommy Benford – drums Johnny Blowers – drums Ronnie Cole – drums Belton Evans – drums Shelton Gary – drums Viola Wells – vocals Princess White – vocals
References Mike Hazeldine, "Harlem Blues and Jazz Band". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, ed. Barry Kernfeld, 1991, p. 483.
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