CAKEWALKIN' JASS BAND Toledo, Ohio |
On July 3, 1968,
Toledo’s Cakewalkin’ Jass Band
began performing at Tony Packo's Café,
and continued to entertain crowds there for nearly 33 years (except for a short time in 1980
and 1981, when the band was featured at Lulu's
Storyville Saloon in the Old
Towne section of the former Southwyck
Shopping Center).
They later played weekly gigs at Ragtime
Rick’s First Draught, Murphy’s
Place, and Ragtime Rick’s Second
Edition. Ray Heitger – leader and
clarinet player – is the only original member of the band, although most of
the current group has been together more than 20 years. The Cakewalkin’
Jass Band has performed at numerous Jazz Festivals from coast to
coast, including an unprecedented 17 years at the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival
in Davenport, Iowa. They have also played concerts for over a
dozen Jazz Clubs.
For booking information, call Ray
Heitger at 419
539-4156, or check out their Website at:
www.RayHeitger.com |
Ray Heitger, clarinet, leader Dave Kosmyna, cornet Russ Damschroder, trombone “Ragtime Rick” Grafing, piano |
Betsy Grafing, banjo Buddy Lopez, drums Bob Miller, string bass Nicole Heitger, vocals |