Formed in late 2000 by Tom Murray and Frank Franks. Tom recruited
his soul-mate drummin'man from Tombo Combo, ROD ROLLE. Frank brought
two of his jazz friends, reed man, ART LARSEN and bassist BARNEY DRAKE.
The orchestra's unique compositions and sound draw influences from urban blues,
American country music, hit songs of the twenties and thirties, jazz and rock.
TOM MURRAY, who fronts the orchestra, sings and plays six and twelve
string guitars with traditional slide playing a speciality.
BROTHER ART LARSEN learned clarinet and saxophone early in life and
studied music during the period when he was a member of The Franciscan Order
at St. Anthony's Seminary.
FRANK FRANKS, who plays his precious 1920 Paramount tenor banjo and
joins in the choruses, came to Santa Barbara from his native Scotland.
The rhythmic anchor and trademark swing is proudly provided by a great partnership,
New Yorker ROD ROLLE and Angelino BARNEY DRAKE, late of Tahoe
on Acoustic bass.
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