Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet Plus

Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet +

Dixieland Jazz, Blues, Ballads, Swing

And Music for

Listening and Dancing

Our New CD is now available - go to CDs

See Schedule (left) for upcoming gigs

The Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet Plus is a combo playing in the club venue of the 20s, 30s and 40s. It faithfully reproduces this music with top local jazz musicians, and has been playing continuously since 1983. The basic quartet is made up of clarinet, bass, piano and drums. When a piano is unavailable, the quartet substitutes a rhythm guitar. We often play with five or more musicians, particularly when playing Dixieland, hence the "plus" in the name of the band. The musicians rely heavily on their improvisation skills, and the band has a very large book of old standards, traditional Dixieland and Swing Era tunes. The music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Fats Waller are centerpieces of the combo's repertoire along with the Great American song books.

We play regularly at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (every Thursday), and the Westlawn Inn (Second Saturday of the month). We are available for other regular gigs and scheduled affairs such as parties, weddings, dances and public events as well as New Orleans style jazz funerals.

Betsy Riddle Ruderfer sings ballads with us on some gigs. We are celebrating our 27th year.