“Meet Me Where They Play the Blues!” That is the invitation from jazz musician Eddie Piccard.

The Eddie Piccard Quartet and the Busch Brothers will once again join forces at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon on Saturday, November 10, at 7:30 pm.

The program will likely include “Pete Kelly’s Blues,” “The St. Louis Blues,” “The Salt Lake City Blues,” and many other blues songs and traditional jazz numbers.

“The blues is quintessentially American,” Eddie says. “The music grew out of the songs of Afro-American slaves and field hands in the South. The blues contains so many emotions, including joy, sorrow, and determination. The words may at first sound down, but the music always brings you up.

We love playing for the audience that comes to the Mount Vernon events, and we know people will love hearing this music. It’s classic.”

Eddie Piccard Jazz plays hot traditional favorites and cool Shearing melodies, as well as warm Latin tunes.  Eddie will be on piano and vocals, Craig Dove on bass, Jon Wilson on drums, Rich Martin on vibes, and Dave Richter on guitar.

For this show they will be joined by the Busch Boys–Marty on trombone, Larry on trumpet, and Luke on clarinet.

The “Busch Boys”  are very happy to join the Eddie Piccard Quintet for this evening of music.  Larry Busch is a veteran of the Guy Lombardo, Wayne King, and the Al Pierson Orchestras.  He has been leading his own big band for many years and is currently the leader of the Dixieland Allstars.  Trombonist Marty has toured with Al Cobine, Johnny Mathis, Dick Jurgens, The American Vintage Orchestra, and the Larry Busch Big Band. Luke  has played with the Dixieland Allstars, the Mad City Funk, and his own SKA band.

TICKETS
Tickets for the performance are $15 and can be purchased at Bauman’s Clothing Store in Mount Vernon (319) 895-8692. They can also be bought at the performance.  Patrons are welcome to bring a favorite beverage and purchase a Community Center cup or bring a clean Community Center cup from home to use in the Theatre space.

Eddie Piccard grew up in eastern Iowa, and began playing music on his grandmother’s piano. He left for larger venues in Chicago, Florida and on the west coast. But he came back to Iowa in the 1980s and has become a jazz icon in eastern Iowa since returning to his home state. Iowans remember fondly the jazz club Eddie and his wife Dallis opened on Mount Vernon Road in the 1990s. But Iowans weren’t the only ones to frequent Eddie’s place. Travelers from other states came to this club for the chic décor and the unforgettable nights of music. Jazz musicians stopped by, too, after finishing up a gig in the area. The club was forced to close because of road widening. Eddie now plays regularly all over eastern Iowa, as well as in the Chicago area and the Twin Cities.

Rich Martin’s career began in college where he was a drummer and a vibist. He took an extended break from performing to teach at Cornell College. But the music called him back and he began sitting in with Eddie’s trio fifteen years ago, while still teaching. He is now a full-time member of the group.

Dave Richter comes from Dubuque to perform in Meet Me in New Orleans. He is well-known in northeast Iowa as an accomplished guitarist, bassist, and banjo player. He performs in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Chicago area.

Tim Crumley performs frequently with the Eddie Piccard Jazz Quartet, as well as a number of regional ensembles, including Ashanti, The Rusty Johnson Group, and the John Shultz Trio. Tim is a lyrical and sensitive drummer who is always engaged and engaging.