Saturday evening @ Bix Fest, Racine, Wisconsin - March 9

(Review by Russell)

They get dressed up for this one. Saturday evening at Bix Fest features some of the very best classic jazz era musicians to be found anywhere on the planet. Hot Chicago jazz, N'Awlins’ finest, ragtime masters and Wisconsin's own, this was to be a veritable feast of jazz. 

Reginald Robinson entertained the rapidly filling room with a selection of blues and ragtime numbers some of which were original compositions. Robinson's Little Dave Blues was inspired by his father's rather unusual day (night?) job...driver to mobster John Dillinger! Racine is but a short hop on the freeway from Chicago and this evening there were one or two mobster types at Bix Fest, thankfully they were swing dancers dressed to the nines. Hey, is that Bogie over there?! 

Robinson's partner in crime - sorry, ragtime - John Reed-Torres belatedly arrived to play Queen's Rag. Meanwhile, none of the guys appeared to be packing heat as they escorted their gals onto the by now crowded dance floor. 

Milwaukee's Sweet Sheiks took to the stage to play their opening set. Clarinet/alto sax, trombone, guitar/musical saw, banjo/guitar, brass bass and washboard, the young local six-piece kept the dancers on their feet with an hour or so of favourite numbers including Dr Jazz and The Sheik of Araby. 

The feted Cellar Boys (see photo) arrived from Chicago's Southside with all guns blazing. Don't panic! This wasn't a contract job to wipe out a rival mobster, this was Andy Schumm leading a storming set of Chicago jazz with the A-Team on the job. Working with Schumm this evening were John Otto (reeds), Paul Asaro (piano), John Donatowitz (banjo) and Dave Bock (brass bass). Hey, they needed a moll to sing a few numbers with the band. Hey Roya, come on, why don't ya join the boys on the stand? Roya Naldi, every inch the flapper, feigned indifference, this gal is a star in the making singing Guilty, Somebody Stole My Gal (Guy) and several others. What a dame! 

Top that! And they did, the Shake 'Em Up Jazz Band, that is. Last heard during the Durham (England) Brass Festival 2018, the all-female six piece outfit from N'Awlins played a killer set. Marla Dixon (trumpet, vocals), Chloe Feoranzo (clarinet, vocals), Haruka Kikuchi (trombone, vocals) - see photo of Chloe and Haruka waiting to take to the stage –, Molly Reeves (guitar, vocals), Julie Schexnadery (string bass) and Defne 'Dizzy' Incirlioglu (washboard) wowed the hard-partying Bixians. Wild Women Don't Get the Blues insisted Marla Dixon. One hour later the Shake 'Em Up girls left the stage to tumultuous applause. And guess what? This was just the mid-way point of the evening! The Shake ‘Em Ups, the Cellar Boys and the Sweet Sheiks returned to each play a second set. Fast forward to 1:00am, second sets done, the dance floor still crowded, it was time for an early hours jam session here at Bix Fest 2019. 

Russell