Mint Julep Jazz Band

About

With their little big band lineup of 4 horns, rhythm section, and vocalist, the Mint Julep Jazz Band recreates the hot jazz sounds of the 1920′s, 1930′s, and early 1940′s through arrangements based on original recordings from the jazz age and swing era. This music is fun, energetic, and sophisticated - appropriate for just about any event and for people of all ages.

Influences include Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Fats Waller, Artie Shaw, Jimmie Lunceford, the Boswell Sisters, Annette Hanshaw, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Fletcher Henderson, Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, and many other wonderful and talented jazz artists of the 1920′s and 1930′s.

The Mint Julep Jazz Band was created by Lucian Cobb and Laura Windley of Durham, NC, who have worked diligently to create a songbook that will swing your socks off.

If you would like to book the Mint Julep Jazz Band for your event, please contact us through Gig Salad and we'll be happy to chat with you about how we can make your event really shine!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What kind of music do you play?

We will focus on music from the 1920′s and 1930′s, but some early 1940′s tunes will find their way into the mix. The band will be playing arrangements that are either transcribed from original recordings or reproductions of original recordings (or a combination of both – sometimes having a hi-fi reference helps a lot) and arrangements that our maestro Lucian Cobb creates on his own, based on songs from this era. Most importantly, this music will swing!

2. How many people are in the band?

Mint Julep Jazz Band is an 8 piece band, giving us a 3 piece rhythm section with 4 horns, plus a vocalist. With this format, we are able to play arrangements of big band or smaller group charts, giving us a fuller sound than a jazz combo. We are also able to offer a more affordable alternative to a big band.

3. Will you have a smaller group?

Unfortunately, we will not have a smaller group. We understand that this limits the venues we can play, especially locally, but we are more interested in creating a specific sound.

4. Who is in the band?

We’d like to have a set lineup, but in the jazz world this is not always possible – some of our band members have bands of their own, so we are fortunate enough to have other jazz musicians that we have worked with in the past to fill their shoes. Our main lineup includes Al Strong on trumpet, Peter Lamb on tenor saxophone, Aaron Hill on alto saxophone and clarinet, Aaron Tucker on drums, Jason Foureman on bass, Jared Wofford on guitar, Lucian Cobb on trombone, and Laura Windley on vocals. We will also feature other great jazz musicians from the Triangle and beyond who we enjoy performing with and will lend their unique talents to this endeavor.

5. Where do you play?

Our bread and butter is swing dances, but we also enjoy performing for wedding events, community events, outdoor festivals, jazz societies, schools, private parties, charity events/fundraisers, historic and reenactment-related events, and, really, anywhere that people enjoy music. We are looking to travel outside of the Triangle area of North Carolina and would welcome gig opportunities in other cities and states.

6. How can I receive email updates about the Mint Julep Jazz Band’s shows and activities?

It’s easy! 1) Find the section of the right sidebar on this website that says “Follow the band via email” 2) click on the “Follow” button under that heading.

7. How much does it cost to hire the Mint Julep Jazz Band?

Our pricing will vary, depending on location, travel time, the duration of the gig, and other factors. Please contact us through Gig Salad for a quote.

Personnel

Lucian Cobb: Trombone/Bandleader
Laura Windley: Vocals/Booking
Peter Lamb: Tenor Sax/Clarinet
Aaron Hill: Alto Sax/Clarinet
Al Strong: Trumpet
Jared Wofford: Guitar/Banjo
Jason Foureman: Bass
Aaron Tucker: Drums

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Casino, Casting Call, Christmas Party, Club/Nightclub, Competition, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Dinner Dance, Ethnic Celebration, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Grand Opening, Halloween Party, Holiday Party, Hotel, Launch Party, Luncheon/Tea, Other, Parade, Private Party, Prom, Restaurant, Retreat, Reunion, Seminar, Sporting Event, Studio Session, Trade Show, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Workshop

Browse Other

Swing Bands in Durham, North Carolina

Search a different location

Whether you hire Mint Julep Jazz Band or other Swing Bands in Durham for your party, wedding, or event, Gig Salad makes it super-easy to book professional Swing Bands.

We strongly recommend that all communication be kept on the Gig Salad Booking Platform as you book your Swing Band. When you do, we’re able to offer numerous benefits that we can’t guarantee if you take communication or deposit payment off the Gig Salad platform. Our booking system is easy to use and handles secure deposit payments from you to the Durham Swing Band of your choice.

Additionally, the quote/agreement sent from your Swing Band to you using the Gig Salad platform, should outline performance fees, extras, arrival and departure times, cancellation policy, insurance information and other details.