With their little big band lineup of 4 horns, rhythm section, and vocalist, the Mint Julep Jazz Band recreates the hot jazz sounds of the 1920′s, 1930′s, and early 1940’s through arrangements based on original recordings from the jazz age and swing era and original tunes inspired by that time period.
“The Mint Julep Jazz Band has a wonderful ensemble sound: often fuller than their four-horn, three rhythm congregation would lead you to expect. Their intonation is on target, their unison passages are elegantly done but never stiff. And they swing. They sound like a working band that would have had a good time making the dancers sweat and glow at the Savoy or the Renny.” – Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives
Mint Julep Jazz Band FAQs
Q. What style of music do you play?
A. Hot jazz and swing from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
Q. How many pieces do you typically play as and what are they?
A. 8 – trombone, trumpet, alto sax/clarinet, tenor sax/clarinet, guitar, bass, drums, vocals.
Q. Do you play in other configurations?
A. No, our book is arranged pieces and reductions of big band tunes that are created for this specific instrumentation.
Q. Why did you become a professional musician?
A. By accident – I (co-band leader Laura) was hanging out at one of my husband’s rehearsals where the band was auditioning vocalists, the bandleader knew I read music and asked if I would sing the auditioning vocalist’s chart before she got there so they would know where the vocals come in, and at the end of the night it was decided that I had done a good job and I started singing with that band.
Q. Where are you located?
A. Durham, NC.
Q. Do you travel?
A. Yes – worldwide!
Q. Why should an event professional book you?
A. An event professional should hire the Mint Julep Jazz Band because, like the swing dancers we often play for, our performance is rooted in creating joy, inspiring movement, and history.
Q. Do you have the capability of providing your own sound & lights?
A. Sound, yes, depending on the size of the venue; lights, no.
