Hotsy Totsy
Zoe Lambeth (reeds, voc) Debbie Arthurs (reeds, d) Rachel hayword (bjo, g, vib, voc) Gabriele Gad (p, voc) Isabel Toner (b)
A few years ago the all-female band, the Creole Belles stole a few hearts at the Purcell Rooms in London, going on to perform to popular acclaim around the country at various clubs and Festivals. This newly formed line-up came from that popular band, and reflects particularly what Debbie Arthurs, Gabriele Gad and Rachel Hayward have continued to do since with their trio. Debbie is well-known as the Charleston Chasers leader and drummer, and is in high demand as a brilliant vocalist, specialising in the songs made famous by Annette Hanshaw. Gabriele served her apprenticeship with the Frog Island Jazz Band, and is now with Brian Carrick’s Algiers Stompers, and Rachel plays with Harlem, Hootie and the Gang and Swing Street. The talented Zoe Lambeth of Art Deco Blue Five fame now heads this band, and Isabel Toner from Kaminski Connection amongst others, completes the line-up. /p>
The addition of Boswell Sisters type three part harmonies are a superb feature of this band. Popular songs of the 1920s and 30s such as I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Cheek to Cheek and many more are given the Boswell Sisters treatment, along with a swinging duo sax front line in instrumental numbers such as Exactly Like You. This band generates plenty of energy and enthusiasm, and has proved highly popular at jazz clubs, festivals and social events throughout the country.
Abbreviations: as alto sax; b acoustic bass ; bjo banjo; bsax bass sax; cl clarinet, ct cornet; d drums; eb electric bass; eg electric guitar; fl flute; flg flugel horn; g guitar; org organ; p piano : sousa sousaphone; t = trumpet; tr trombone; ts tenor sax; viol violin; voc voice.