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Toll House Jazz Band |
 The Toll House
Jazz Band (THJB) is a traditional-style,
Dixieland jazz band from Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding area. They play the great
traditional jazz tunes of Jellyroll Morton, Bix Biederbecke, King Oliver,
and many others with emphasis on tunes from the 1920s. The band was
formed in 1989 and has played at local and regional venues as well as
other venues in the Midwest. In addition to their regular traditional
jazz performances, the band performs as the "Dixie Saints" for churches
in the central Ohio area presenting church hymns in Dixieland style. The
band leader is their banjoist, Mike Evans.The Toll House Jazz Band brings together experienced Dixieland musicians from throughout the central Ohio area. The musical strength of the band lies in its creative arrangements and effective use of dynamics. While serious about Dixieland jazz, the THJB combines good jazz with good times- encouraging fun, sing-a-longs, and dancing. |
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Rich Burkart Trumpet Richard was Professor of Trumpet and Graduate Studies in Brass Instruments at the Ohio
State University School of Music from 1971 to 1996. He developed an internationally
respected trumpet studio with many of his former students performing in symphony
orchestras in the U.S. and Europe; the U.S. service bands in Washington D.C.; the jazz
idioms; and as university professors. He is currently Professor Emeritus at OSU and prior
to his appointment there he was Professor of Brass Instruments and director of the Jazz
Ensemble at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas from 1955-69. He received his doctorate in
music from the University of Wisconsin in 1971. Phil Stone Trombone / Cornet, vocals Phil received his formal music training as a Euphonium soloist at the Armed Forced Academy of Music and as a trombonist at Pikeville College and Marshall University. During the past 25 years, he has performed professionally with Dixieland bands, big bands, and pit orchestras throughout Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and South Carolina. Phil has also recorded for RCA Studios in Nashville. He is a versatile musician having received formal training on banjo, guitar, and trumpet in addition to his expertise on trombone and euphonium. He is on the Board of Directors of the Coon Sanders Nighthawks Jazz Festival and is a current member of the 338th Army Band.
Joe Lord Clarinet/Saxophone/Trumpet Joe's early musical experience had a heavy classical slant. He was 1st clarinetist with the Columbus Symphony for 12 years and principal clarinetist for the Longines Symphonette. He performed with the NBC Opera Company and was the principal flute player with the Leningrad Ballet Company. Joe also played tenor saxophone and clarinet with the Tex Beneke Orchestra. Although Joe's early emphasis was on classical music, jazz has been his main focus during the past 20 years. He loves the happy sound of Dixieland music.
Mike Evans Plectrum & Tenor Banjo, vocals In addition to playing banjo aboard the American Queen river boat, Mike has played with a number of local bands in the Columbus area including the Steamboat Syncopators and Louisiana Purchase. He's also pinch hit on occasion for the High Street Stompers and for the Buck Creek Jazz Band in Washington, D.C. Mike strums a mean banjo and sings, too.
Don Fulkerson Tuba Don is a veteran of many fine groups in the Central Ohio area including Jerry Weaver's Good Time Jazz Band, the Sounds of Dixie, and Fred Dodd's riverboat group. Played tuba aboard the Delta Queen. He is a solid player who just plain loves playing.
Larry Nusser Piano Larry Nusser plays solos, ensembles, and backs up others with equal skill. He is certainly one of the top Dixieland and Ragtime stylists around. Larry has played with Jerry Weaver's Good Time Jazz Band, the Sounds of Dixie, and many others including featured pianist aboard the Delta Queen riverboat.
Drums Drummer Tom George lays down a solid beat and has a real passion for Dixieland Jazz. He is driving force behind the development of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society. Tom's credits include the Sounds of Dixie, Lower London St., Muskrat Ramblers, and occasional subbing with the Louisiana Purchase. |