The New Orleans Ale Stars
Simon Stribling — trumpet, reeds, vocals
Evan Arntzen — clarinet, sax, vocals
Georgia Korba — bass, vocals
Josh Roberts — banjo, guitar
Lauri Lyster — drums, vocals
plus Bob Williams — trombone, vocals
The New Orleans Ale Stars started brewing back in November of 2004. Simon Stribling, fearless leader and multi-instrumentalist, was looking for an outlet for his boundless energy, musical enthusiasm and consummate knowledge of traditional jazz. He wanted a band of fine players whose hearts were really in the music, and who knew how to have fun! His friend Gerry Green, long time reedman in the Grand Dominion Jazz Band, was an easy first choice. Georgia Korba on bass and Josh Roberts on banjo and guitar were a couple of wonderful local rhythm players who were experienced in the music well beyond their years. Karl Watt on drums rounded out the original line-up, and the Ale Stars hit the city of Vancouver, Canada with a vengeance!
While the original vision was to play straight ahead in the New Orleans tradition, the band couldn't help but pay tribute to the many masters in the field...Jimmy Noone, Duke Ellington and Simon's hero Louis Armstrong are all represented in the band's repertoire. Add to that the occasional bop tune and a fine smattering of Australian jazz tunes and you have the sound of the Ale Stars.
A regular Saturday afternoon gig at the old Bukowski's on lively Commercial Street allowed the band to really gel as an ensemble. It also exposed traditional jazz to a whole new audience, and started to build up a fan base of young listeners and dancers who enjoyed whiling away an afternoon listening to fun music, accompanied by a cleansing ale or two! The Ale Stars were a favourite with the seasoned crowd too, so soon you began to see a wonderful mix of ages, occupations and backgrounds out there in the appreciative crowd. Bukowski's was the place to be on a Saturday afternoon!
How does the saying go? The only thing you can count on is change? Bukowski's was sold and converted to a sports bar, and sadly, Karl Watt had to step down from the drum chair due to health reasons. But the Ale Stars soldiered on. Simon's wife Lauri Lyster was brought in as the new drummer, corrupted from her operatic and modern jazz bands by the undeniable energy of traditional jazz. And the band found a new home at the historic Lamplighter Pub in Gastown. Those of you lucky enough to have been present at the mighty performances that the Ale Stars did there during the Vancouver International Jazz Festivals of the last couple of years know that the place was swinging!
As much fun as it was to play as a five piece for local gigs, there's no denying that the addition of trombonist Bob Williams, formerly of the Wooden Nickel Jass Band, really added that extra burn to the band's 'Kansas City Kitty' CD. It's no wonder that the recording won the Jeff Healey Award for best traditional/classic jazz album in Canada in 2007! Audiences at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in 2007 and 2008 responded with standing ovations and broad grins, and rumour has it that ale sales were record-breaking! And speaking of international gigs, the band’s tour of Holland in May of 2009 was a smashing success! They look forward to returning in the near future.
Most recently, the Ale Stars had to bid adieu to their original reed man, Gerry Green, who decided to dedicate himself to the Grand Dominion Jazz Band. Luckily, they now have another bright and rising star in the band, the unstoppable Evan Arntzen on reeds. So if you are ever lucky enough to catch these cats playing live ANYWHERE, grab yourself an ale and get ready to have yourself an exceptionally good time, New Orleans Ale Stars style!