Dance Bands
Here is a list of bands who have played at California Dance Co-op dances.
Aolian Stephen Crane – keyboard Hector Ortiz – cello Eric Schoenberger – fiddle | Atlantic Crossing (Orange County) Web Site Georgiana Hennessy – fiddle Patty McCollom – banjo Matt Tonge – guitar Contact: mccollomp@sbcglobal.net or call Patty at (714) 267-4567 |
Bees Knees Joe Wack – fiddle Laura Osborn – guitar, flute, banjo uke Steve Lewis – banjo Contact: steve@urbanoldtime.com | Body Snatchers (Los Angeles) Frank Hoppe – fiddle Joe Wack – banjo Contact: fphoppe@sbcglobal.net |
Bonfire (Los Angeles / Portland) Known for its high energy and innovative approach to traditional music. Bonnie Insull – flute, whistles, feet Richard Scher – keyboard, percussion Frank Hoppe – fiddle Contact: bonnieinsull@yahoo.com Contact: fphoppe@sbcglobal.net | Chopped Liver (Santa Barbara/Los Angeles) Web Site Suzanne Duffy – flute Bill Flores – banjo, mandolin, dobro, tenor sax Michael Mendelson – fiddle, guitar Jeffrey Spero – piano Contact: fiddle@silcom.com |
The ContraDictions (Los Angeles) Ann Kosinski – fiddle Jim Kosinski – bass, guitar, mandolin Patty McCollum – banjo Barbara Whitney – fiddle Contact: ajsbe@charter.net Jim Kosinski (818) 500-7059 | Dogwood (Los Angeles) Marie Bruno – guitar Michelle Nosco – fiddle Emil Olguin – bass, mandolin Ned Boyer – recorder, harmonica Contact: trisun@pacbell.net Emil Olguin 509 So. Huntington Avenue Monterey Park, CA 91754 (626) 280-7857 |
Euphoria (Los Angeles) Frank Hoppe – fiddle; Kurt MacInnis – mandolin, guitar; Jeffrey Spero – piano, bass Contact: jeff@jeffandgigi.com Jeff Spero | Flutatious (CA / OK) Miranda Arana – flute Bonnie Insull – flute, whistles, banjo uke Jeff Spero – piano, bass Christa Burch – bodhran, vocals Contact bonnieinsull@gmail.com |
Free Raisins Web Site | FreeFall Ann Kosinski – fiddle; Jim Kosinski – bass, guitar, mandolin; Patty McCollum – banjo,whistle; Barbara Whitney – fiddle Contact: jimannkosinski@gmail.com Jim Kozinski Or call Jim at 805-650-9134 |
High Strung String Band High Strung String Band offers more than old-time (Irish, French-Canadian, swing, and vocals and can include various ethnic drums and/or mandolin if there’s enough pay to support 4 or 5 musicians) Belinda Thom – fiddle; James Flaherty – clawhammer banjo; David Hostetler – guitar Contact: belindatho@gmail.com Belinda Thom | Ice House Canyon String Band A tight duo providing an eclectic and experimental variety of modern and traditional contra music Belinda – fiddle; Emil – guitar / bass Contact: belindatho@gmail.com Belinda Thom |
Interfolk Plays wide variety of folk dance music, including English Country, Contra, Balkan and Scandinavian Contact Kriss Larson at trekkspill@aol.com 949-448-9212 | Jax Christa Burch – bodhran Kira Ott – fiddle Steve Shapiro – banjo, mandolin Jeff Spero – piano Contact: stevecontradance@gmail.comSteve Shapiro Or Call Steve at 818-785-3839 |
Key Ingredients (Santa Barbara/Los Angeles) Kurt MacInnis – mandolin Michael Mendelson – fiddle Contact: fiddle@silcom.com Michael Mendelson 1135 Cota St. Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 686-4141 | Kira and Jimmy Kira Ott – fiddle, vocals Jimmy Murphy – mandolin, guitar Kira is an electrifying young fiddler from So. Cal. who trained as a classical violist. As a teenager she took up the fiddle after hearing traditional Irish music on NPR’s weekly Celtic music program “The Thistle and Shamrock.” Kira learned much of her music from the community of musicians at the Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy in Donegal. Jimmy Murphy is one of the most sought-after Irish-style guitarists and mandolinists in So. Cal. He grew up in Anaheim Hills in a house full of music and came to traditional music after picking up an old fiddle. In 2001, he traveled to Japan, where he worked as a musician for the Walt Disney company and Universal Studios. |
Kuffel Creek | Laura Light & Friends Laura is an exceptional swing fiddler and singer who has pleased L.A.-area dancers on many occasions. Her unique improvising inspires dancers, and the dancers’ energies move Laura to even greater creativity. |
Les Amis Ned Boyer – harmonica, recorder Mark Burrill – Accordion Jim Scheel – guitar Daniel Slosberg – fiddle Contact: mrburrill@aol.com Mark Burrill or call Ned Boyer at (626) 799-6615 | Mariposa String Band Briana,fiddle; Emil,guitar Contact: the5olguins@gmail.com Emil Olguin or call Emil at (626) 280-7857 |
Nick Bachman and the Brown Baggers | Panada Dave Lynch – fiddle Ken Shaw – Bass James Flaherty – Banjo Larry Kemp – Guitar Featuring bouncy, joyous old time dance tunes Contact Dave Lynch at thule@earthlink.net |
Rhythm Method String Band Rhythm Method is known for both its swinging contra and square dance music as well as English Country Dance. We are available for dances, parties, street fairs and festivals. Contact: stevecontradance@gmail.comSteve Shapiro or call Steve at 818-785-3839 | The Screaming Earwigs Contra-friendly Old-time Music! Tom Sauber – Fiddle Patrick Sauber – Guitar Mike Sauber – Bass Steve Lewis – Banjo Contact: steve@urbanoldtime.com Steve Lewis |
Southern Comfort Frank Hoppe – fiddle Laura Osborn – guitar; flute; Steve Lewis – banjo Contact: steve@urbanoldtime.com Steve Lewis | Southern Exposure Frank Hoppe – fiddle Joe Wack – guitar Steve Lewis – banjo Contact: steve@urbanoldtime.com Steve Lewis |
Spin Cycle (Los Angeles) Frank Hoppe – fiddle Kurt MacInnis – mandolin Marty Morrisey – piano Aubyn Biery – fiddle Contact: fphoppe@sbcglobal.net Frank Hoppe 3645 Los Amigos St. La Crescenta, CA 91214 (818) 248-7883 | Syncopaths (Los Angeles / Seattle) Web Site Christa Burch – bodhran, vocals Ashley Broder – mandolin Ryan McKasson – fiddle Jeffrey Spero – piano Contact: info@syncopaths.com Syncopaths |
Terpsichorish Mary Ann Sereth – fiddle, bass fiddle Keiko Cadby – fiddle Denisa Hanna – guitar Walter Sereth – guitar, clarinet Jerry Wheeler – trombone, hammered dulcimer Contact: Jerry Wheeler, tbnjer@aol.com or call Jerry at (562) 310-2087 | Tunacious Frank Hoppe (fiddle); Steve Shapiro (mandolin, banjo); Jeff Spero (piano) Contact: stevecontradance@gmail.comSteve Shapiro Or Call Steve at 818-785-3839 |
Whirled Peas Bob Altman- keyboard and vocal David James- fiddle, mandolin, vocal Patty McCollom- banjo, whistle, fiddle, bodhran vocal Contact: mccollomp@sbcglobal.net Patty McCollum or call Patty at (714) 267-4567 |