Jazz Ramblers In Brookfield, Saturday

BROOKFIELD — The Riverboat Ramblers jazz band will perform on Saturday, October 7, in the fourth and final program of this year’s concert series at Country Players of Brookfield. The series has been sponsored in part by a grant from Connecticut Commission of the Arts. The musical group performs New Orleans jazz, Big Band swing, gospel and Marti Gras party music.

Riverboat Ramblers’ aggressive rhythmic style and outrageous humor attract audiences of all ages wherever they perform. The seven-member group has appeared at jazz festivals throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

“Our concerts generate a lot of audience participation,” says John Banker, the leader of Riverboat Ramblers. “It’s an evening of jazz and humor from original songs, to parodies of traditional songs, to a Louis Armstrong imitation that gets a standing ovation every time,” Mr Banker continued.

In addition to Mr Banker on tuba and bass, the band also includes Jeff Barnhart, one of the world’s busiest ragtime and jazz pianists; Scott Black, cornet; Sherman Kahn, clarinet and sax; Tom Boates, trombone; Bob Barta, banjo and guitar; and Sal Ranniello, drums.

The Riverboat Ramblers’ concert will begin at 8 pm at Brookfield Country Players’ theater on Route 25 in Brookfield. Tickets are $15. For reservations call the playhouse at 775-0023.