Southern Fried Jazz Band to bring toe-tapping show to UC

Posted: Monday, February 28, 2011 8:58 pm

Southern Fried Jazz Band, an eight-member Dixieland jazz band, is set to perform at the Union City Civic Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the Community Concert Association of Union City/Obion County.
This popular Dixieland band was organized by and is led by veteran trumpet player Don Edwards. He worked with the name bands during the big bands era, and later as a member of the show bands in Vegas during its prime. Edwards has shared the stage with show biz legends including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, among others. He also backed jazz great Louis Armstrong and the World’s Greatest Jazz Band.
The show-wise members of this ensemble include three horns and four rhythm, along with female vocals that stir the soul. Operating the band like a “well-oiled machine,” Edwards makes sure each of its members enjoys some time in the spotlight.
Each performance of the Southern Fried Jazz Band evolves into an experience to be remembered long after it has left the stage. Spirited renderings of Dixieland tunes — from the classics like “Bill Bailey” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” to the archives like “Give Me Your Kisses” — take listeners on a mood-swinging journey into “that Dixieland state of mind.”
Tickets are available for this performance by calling Mike Cox at 536-4569 or Chuck Doss at 886-1155. They may also be purchased at Cox Oil in Union City or at the door for non-members for $20 each beginning at 7 p.m.
Memberships for Community Concert Association of Union City/Obion County are $95 per family, $45 for a single adult, $40 for a single senior citizen and $25 for a single student. Patron memberships are Eighth Note, $100-$249; Quarter Note, $250-$499; Half Note, $500-$999; and Full Note, $1,000 and more.
The remaining show this season is Barbra and Frank at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the Union City Civic Auditorium. Membership also includes reciprocal concerts in Dyersburg. The remaining performance there, which will be held in the Yates Auditorium at the Professional Development Center, is The Andy Stein Duo on piano and violin March 26.
For more information, visit www.communityconcertuc.org.

Published in The Messenger 2.28.11