Eliza Jane was a 5-piece blues and original music band from Reisterstown formed by former members of Service. Bass player Dennis Wright explained in a November 1971 interview for “Resound!” magazine that the group’s sound could be described as “mostly not”. “We’re mostly not, but occasionally; we’re mostly not country, but occasionally; mostly not jazz, but occasionally; mostly not hard rock, but occasionally. You could say we are anything we do.”
“Mostly we just say it’s original,” says drummer Kyf Brewer.
“It’s almost county rock, generally, though not really,” notes guitarist Nolan Church.
“It’s sort of rock with a country influence in some of it,” says guitarist Dave Woodworth.
“We almost have our own sound,” remarks pianist Fred Ritz.
Yes, a true melting pot of opinion!
The group did popular material (but usually their own versions of the songs), in addition to their own material. Kyf and David both wrote original songs for the band.
Unfortunately, the group was forced to do less original material in order to get jobs. They performed at the Reisterstown Teen Center, Franklin High School dances…
Dennis was later replaced with John Christensen aka ‘Scoop’ on bass.
Among other appearances the band performed at the Bluesette on Charles Street, Unity Hall in Dundalk…
Kyf Brewer continued playing in local bands including Meat, Steamboat Willie, Climbadonkey, and the Ravyns. In the ‘80s he went to New York where he kept the bills paid by recording commercial jingles. He also became a member of the New York band Company of Wolves releasing several LPs in the ‘80s-90s. Woodworth later played in Clyde, Climbadonkey, Lucifer, and in Night Train with Gary Brown. ‘Scoop’ has played with Gary & the Groove in the ‘00s and also appeared on solo CDs by Brewer.
“Resound!” Magazine was a free paper, edited by Bob Korn – illustrated by John Lougee, and distributed at local concerts)
