• High Sierra Jazz Band (Three Rivers, CA). High Sierra is recognized as one of the greatest and most entertaining bands in the history of traditional jazz. Their performance calendar is full, with good reason, and we are fortunate to have them in the lineup for Festival #31!

• Cornet Chop Suey (St. Louis, MO). These fabulous musicians always pack the venues wherever they play. The San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival is no exception. We welcome Cornet Chop Suey back with open arms!

• Dave Bennett Quartet (Waterford, MI). Clarinet virtuoso Dave Bennett has appeared across North America with his quartet, with symphony orchestras and as a guest with a variety of bands. Dave and his quartet were a sensation at the 2009 Thanksgiving Festival. We are delighted that they are returning to Festival #31!

• Anita Thomas’ Festival Feetwarmers (U.S.A.) New in 2010 This swinging all-star ensemble includes musicians from Chicago, New Orleans and Los Angeles. Led by reed wizard Anita Thomas (Hagerstown, MD), the band includes: Kim Cusack (reeds); John Royen (piano); Katie Cavera (guitar); and Mike Earls (bass).

• Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition (Lytle, TX) New in 2010 Billy and the band are inductees into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame. Their appearance at our Festival marks the first time that we have included Western Swing on the program. Give them a hearty welcome and prepare to do some boot-scootin’!

• Bobby Gordon Quartet featuring Kristy Reed (San Diego) New in 2010 Bobby Gordon is a legendary clarinetist—sideman with Muggsy Spanier, Wild Bill Davison, Leon Redbone and others.. His quartet plays danceable swing standards. Featured vocalist Kristy Reed is also an accomplished reed player.

• Tom Rigney and Flambeau (Berkeley, CA) New in 2010 Tom Rigney is a fabulous fiddler and his “Flambeau” group is one of the hottest acts and biggest draws on the contemporary festival circuit. Don’t miss their high-energy interpretations of Cajun, Zydeco, bluegrass and Rockabilly classics!

• Yerba Buena Stompers (U.S.A.). The Stompers are inspired by the sounds of Lu Watters’ Yerba Buena Jazz Band, Turk Murphy’s San Francisco Jazz Band and the music of King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. They play authentic and authoritative San Francisco Style Jazz.

• Tim Laughlin, Connie Jones and the New Orleans All-Stars (New Orleans, LA). Veteran cornetist Connie Jones and internationally-acclaimed clarinetist Tim Laughlin are returning for their third appearance at the Festival. Tim, Connie and the All-Stars play swinging versions of Dixieland standards and original compositions.

• Grand Dominion Jazz Band (Camano Island, WA). The GDJB is still going strong after nearly 30 years of playing “The Truth” at countless festivals, jazz clubs, cruises and concerts across the U.S. and Europe. 

• Uptown Lowdown (Seattle, WA) Like the Grand Dominion band, ULJB is a venerable group from the Pacific Northwest with a devoted following. They maintain a busy schedule of festival appearances across the U.S., playing their unique “Seattle Style.”

• High Society Jazz Band (La Jolla, CA). Since 1979, High Society has become one of the most popular bands in Southern California. They have performed a wide-ranging repertoire at nearly all the Thanksgiving Festivals. At the present time, they play regularly at Tango del Rey in San Diego.

• Sue Palmer & Motel Swing (San Diego). Sue Palmer, an Award-winning Boogie Woogie pianist, leads a hard-driving band that plays swing, blues and ballads with fervor. The band plays regularly at Croce’s in San Diego and at concert series throughout the County. 2010 will be their third appearance at the Festival.

• Titanic Jazz Band (Burbank, CA). The Titanic ensemble includes veterans of some legendary California Trad bands, playing a truly classic jazz repertoire. Titanic is very active on the West Coast festival circuit, including events in the Pacific Northwest.

• Dixie Express Jazz Band (San Diego). Though Dixie Express is a relatively new group, it has performed extensively throughout San Diego County, including the Thanksgiving Festival. The band has played numerous concerts in the area and also holds down a steady gig at Fuddruckers in San Diego.

• Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra (San Diego). This large orchestra plays music of the pre-jazz era, using arrangements written between 1900 and 1920. Their authentic period sound appeals to fans of ragtime and vintage dancing alike.

• Night Blooming Jazzmen (Los Angeles). The venerable Night Bloomers have played jazz around the globe—literally. They are busier than ever in their 35th year as a performing group. 2010 is their 13th consecutive year at the Thanksgiving Festival. 

• Mission Bay High School Dixie Jazz Band (San Diego). Mission Bay’s performances are a highlight of the Festival weekend. Director JP Balmat continues to provide a marvelous musical influence on these young Dixielanders.

• Dick Williams' JazzSea Jams (Pleasanton, CA). Dick began these organized jam sessions a few years ago, on a JazzSea cruise. Now festival attendees with a musical bent are invited to bring their instruments and play along on Dick’s jam sets.

Guest Artists…

• Carl Sonny Leyland (New Cuyama, CA). Sonny is considered to be one of the finest Boogie Woogie pianists in the world. He performs across the U.S. and overseas as a soloist and sideman. Earlier in 2010, he backed the legendary Chuck Berry at the “Viva Las Vegas” Rockabilly event. During the San Diego Thanksgiving Festival, Sonny will also perform with Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition.

• Chloe Feoranzo (Los Angeles, CA). Just a few years ago, Chloe was a “Youth Artist” at the Thanksgiving Festival. Now she enjoys the status of a sought-after guest musician, including appearances at all major West Coast festivals. She took part in the “Prez Conference” – a celebration of Lester Young’s Centennial at the 2009 Sweet & Hot Music Festival – and recently recorded a new CD with an all-star band which includes Dan Barrett, Bryan Shaw, Richard Simon and others. 

Special Sets…

• “Jerry Lee Lewis” 75th Birthday – Dave Bennett moves from the clarinet to the keyboard, leading the Memphis Boys in a rockin’, rollin’ tribute to “The Killer.” This set was a smash hit at our 2009 Festival and we eagerly await the reprise!

• “Chicago Clarinets” – Kim Cusack, Bobby Gordon and Anita Thomas will explore the traditions of legendary Chicago reedmen such as Frank Teschemacher, Pee Wee Russell and others.

• “Hymn-A-Long” – A Sunday morning Festival tradition, the Night Blooming Jazzmen lead the audience through well-known (and some not-so-well-known) hymns.

• “Dick Williams and Friends” – Sessionmaster Williams, his “house” rhythm section and Festival pros jam, with spectacular results.

*Additional Local Bands To Be Announced Soon

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