Formed in early ‘80s as a house band at The Last Chance Saloon in Columbia’s Wilde Lake Village Center. The group played Dixieland and classic jazz standards at local clubs and festivals including the Delaware Valley Jazz Society. A member of the PRJC (Potomac River Jazz Club) their 1984 recording of “Original Dixieland One-Step” was included on “The Bands of The Potomac River Jazz Club” album (PRJC 001). Members were Chris Harris (banjo, vocals ex-Bay City 7), Bob Thulman (sax, clarinet ex-Bay City 7, Joe Shepherd’s Who’s Who Band), Bob Harris (cornet ex-Bay City 7), Steve Welch (trombone), Frank Wiedefeld (tuba), and Ossie Barr (drums).
In 1986 they released their first album “Blues in The Air.” Members at that point were Chris Harris, Bob Thulman (sax, clarinet), Giff Blaylock (tuba ex-Gangplank Ragtime Band, Fallstaff Five Plus Two, Strawhatters), Tyldon Streett (drums), Paul Widitz (trombone), and Bob Walter (cornet, vocals). Subsequent album releases include “Love Songs on The Nile” (1992), “Smiles” (1996), “Dans les rue’ d’anteibes” (1996), and “The Rose of Washington Square” (2002).
The band continued to perform locally at the Other Barn and venues throughout the Baltimore / Washington area. Many personnel changes occurred during their 25+ year history. Members in the ‘00s included Thulman, Jim Riley (banjo, vocals ex-Gangplank Ragtime Band, Strawhatters), Larry Cione (piano), Al Straub (cornet ex-Pier 5 Dixieland Band…), Brian Priebe (trombone), Tom Holtz (tuba), Howard Kadison (drums), and Ferebee Streett-Thulman (female vocalist).
1986(LP) Last Chance Blues in The Air
2000(CD) LCJB 6 ROSES of Washington Square
