Zuzu's Hot Five

Early Blues and Jazz Outta Charlottesville, VA

Louis Armstrong combo meets Mardi Gras street party. ⚜︎ For over 14 years, the Hot 5, inspired by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Fats Waller, has supplied stomps, viper blues, swing, and struts, summoning the rich history of NOLA, the birthplace of “Jass.” ⚜︎ Thrill to the trumpet’s call, the clarinet’s wail, and the trombone’s growl. ⚜︎ Thumpin’ strings send your body into a killer rhythm. ⚜︎ ︎Like a strong cocktail, Zuzu’s vocals transport you. Tunes you didn’t know you knew and loved are new again.

♦ Pete Vigour is a multi-instrumentalist rooted in traditional music and turn-of-the-century genres. Longtime local music teacher, his band of 30 years, Uncle Henry’s Favorites, was featured on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. He has also played swing and Old Time music with The Lovell Coleman Band.

♦ Brandon Rose has provided his excellent trumpet and cornet skills for Baaba Seth, Conjunto Sason, The UVa Jazz Ensemble, The Crozet Symphony, and Mami Gato. He also plays with Queen City Porch Swingers.

♦ For over 20 years, string and wind instrumentalist Aaron Olwell has been steeped in Irish and Appalachian traditional music. Then, he discovered the thrills of trad jazz and the clarinet! He’s a second-generation Master Flutemaker of 19th c. style wood flutes for musicians around the world. Aaron also tours with The Big Dixie Swingers from New Orleans, and was a founding member of Boxcar Speakeasy.

♦ Multi-instrumentalist Paul Rosen has a life-long passion for traditional jazz, blues, Cajun, and roots music. He is a founding member of Bayou Faux Pas, The Buzzard Rock Bayou Boys, and Floorplay. He played with Joel Rubin’s UVA Klezmer Ensemble for over 10 years. He also plays with the Cajun Punk group, Jolie Fille.

♦ Susanna Rosen has toured with The Alex Caton Band and ACME Swing Mfg. Co. She currently also appears with The Bob Bennetta Trio and Jelly Street Jazz.