Louis Armstrong Birthday Celebration w/ Mal Sharpe's Big Money in Gumbo & Lady Mem'fis July 4, 2010

Mal Sharpe trombone, leader
Bob Scott, drums, leader
Richard Mayers, congas
Jim Gammon, trumpet
Dwayne Ramsey, clarinet
Denny Geyer, guitar
Charlie Hickox, piano
Lady Mem'fis vocals

Big Money in Gumbo is a collection of musicians who come from different sides of New Orleans music. Music critic Larry Kelp described them as "New Orleans drenched jazz...everything from Louis Armstrong to Fats Domino and Professor Longhair."

The band has a drummer who played with Willie Nelson, a guitarist who played the New Orleans Jazz Festival eight times with Queen Ida and her Zydeco Band; there's a conga player from Oakland's Big Belly Blues Band and a piano player who channels James Booker. When you put them all together with a Preservation Hall style front line of trombone, trumpet and clarinet ,you have a veritable New Orleans Gumbo! Add to the Gumbo the great song stylist Lady Mem'fis from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and you get a taste of Irma Thomas too.

They've played the first Sunday of every month at The No Name Bar in Sausalito for five years along with Anna's Jazz Island, Enricos Sidwalk Cafe and scores of Bay Area Mardi Gras celebrations. Their CD "Big Money in Gumbo Live at Pier 23" is going into it's third pressing. KCSMs' Mal Sharpe, the trombonist and co-leader has played the 4th of July Louis Armstrong Birthday Party at Yoshis for over 10 years with his other band Big Money in Jazz.

Prepare yourself for a lively evening of song, dance and celebration of the late, great Louis Armstrong!

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artist/show/1356