From a list of music that spans over 100 years of jazz, the group is comfortable in all jazz genre. Well known songs like 'When the Saints go Marching In,' are mixed with the big band standards of 'Satin Doll' and contemporary swing numbers such as 'Zoot Suit Riot.' The band also performs all of the ballroom dance styles to include Cha Cha, Bossa Nova, Tango, Samba, Waltz, Polka, and Light Rock to name a few.

The band consists of a minimum of six members and provides a number of free services:

1. public address system to provide background music between sets;
2. special show activities;
3. optional song book. The details of these services and other information are outlined below.

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]

A public address system can be provided at no extra cost that would provide continuous background music of Dixieland/Swing favorites. A word book (4-1/4" by 5-1/2") can be specially created for your event with lyrics to many of the popular songs that the band will play, along with a concise history of Dixieland music. Examples of the Song Book are available on request. For a special touch to any event, the band can provide sing-along activities, recreate a Dixieland Funeral and perform in the popular Dixieland Walk-Around.

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]

• Concert: Performance before an audience where the music is the main activity.
• Show: Performance in a controlled environment where the band is featured that may allow for dancing and can focus on a more intimate interaction with the audience.
• Background Music: Performance where the music is not the main activity and where the band is providing atmosphere to enhance an event. Examples are Dinner Music, and Cocktail Music.

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]

• Stage Area: 16' X 20' preferred
• Power: Access to 110 volt 20 amp outlet (within 100')
• Storage: The band will need a small amount of space near the stage area to store instrument cases, and equipment.

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]

The Riverboat Ramblers
• Minimum: 3 horns (Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, or Saxophone) may be in any combination 3 Rhythm (Guitar, Drums, Bass);
• Standard: 4/5 horns (1 or 2 Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, & Saxophone), 3 Rhythm (Guitar, Drums, Bass);
• Optional: Banjo or Piano at no extra cost when available or Vocalist at extra cost.

Big Dog & The Fat Cats
• Minimum: 3 horns (Trumpet, Trombone, and Saxophone), 3 Rhythm (Guitar, Drums, Bass), & Vocalist;
• Standard: 4/5 horns (2 or 3 Trumpet, Trombone, and Saxophone), 3 Rhythm (Guitar, Drums, Bass), & Vocalist;
• Optional: Banjo or Piano at no extra cost when available.

Special Notes:

Ramblers At the Pulaski Depot in 1997

The Riverboat Ramblers keep New River audiences swingin' and dancin'

Snagging new jazz fans and earning rave spectator reviews at each performance, the Ramblers perform regularly at festivals, fairs, dances, parties and gatherings throughout the year.

"I was floored to find out a talented group like this existed in the New River Valley. I thought you could only hear music like this, of this quality, in cities," said Benjamin Lieb of Blacksburg, who hear the group at a swing dance in Blacksburg.

The Riverboat Ramblers is a band based in the New River Valley, and it features some of the best regional musicians. The band includes John Gregg (Blacksburg), Don Hall (Radford), and Russell Shock (Blacksburg) on trumpet, Jennifer Jablonski (Blacksburg) on saxophone, Bill Bondurant (Radford) and David Hall (Radford) on clarinet, Norman Olmstead (Blacksburg) on drums, Harry Doss (Blacksburg) on Guitar and Nick Romantini (Blacksburg) on bass. The founder and leader of the band is Ed Schwartz (Christiansburg), who plays slide trombone in the group.

The Ramblers play traditional jazz music, with a range of traditonal Dixieland music from the earliest days of jazz to some of the most contemporary jazz standards. Thanks to the resurgence of Big Band swing, many of the old tunes have become new to young audiences.

The band also plays a wide range of dance rhythms, from the latin beat of the Bossa Nova, Cha Cha and Tango, to the ballroom dance styles of the waltz, ballad and foxtrot, to the straight-swing dance beats of yesterday and today, along with other unique styles such as the polka.

Band leader Schwartz says, "We love the chance to play a range of jazz styles. Even though our list of music spans over 100 years of jazz and ranges from 'When the Saints go Marching In,' to 'Satin Doll' to 'Zoot Suit Riot,' we still try to touch the audience with our personal signature sound to bring back old memories and create some new ones."

Indeed, the diversity of the band provides a rich palette from which to create a particular mood or atmosphere. A ballroom dance, a Mardi Gras celebration, a swing dance, a jazz concert or a New Orleans Dixieland funeral are all within the scope of this unique group.

The Ramblers can appear in a range of dress, including formal, semi-formal, casual and authentic Dixieland dress, depending on the event. Concerts or shows often include the re-creation of a traditional New Orleans funeral ceremony and march-around.

To inquire about booking the Riverboat Ramblers for your event, call Ed Schwartz at 540-382-3707 or e-mail him at ed.schwartz@vt.edu. Visit the Ramblers' web page at: http://arts.bev.net/RiveboatRamblers/

The Ramblers at Mountain Lake Hotel in 1993 (top l to r) Ed Schwartz, Norman Olmstead, Don Hall, Bob Thomas, John Gregg; (bottom l to r) Bill Nye, Harry Doss, Sally Walker, Russell Shock.

The Ramblers at the Donalson Brown Hotel in 1989

The Riverboat Ramblers Keep Our American Heritage Alive with Dixieland Music

he group plays all types of traditional Dixieland music with a mix of the most commonly known melodies and some of the lesser known music of the period. Schwartz states, "We enjoy playing all of the Dixieland styles and some of the lesser known songs offer a refreshing change from those songs we play all the time. It is difficult to play a concert without the audience wanting 'When the Saints go Marching In,' but most of our favorites are not that well known."

Indeed, Dixieland songs are not always well known by title or composer, but many of the melodies do sound familiar to the audience. In fact many of the old sing-along songs were from the Dixieland era, songs like "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey," "When You're Smiling," and "Sweet Georgia Brown." Other blues songs like "Basin Street Blues" and "St. James Infirmary" focused on the lifestyles of that period in our history. Schwartz says, "Dixieland music is one of the few true American music forms. Getting its roots from African rhythms and European folk harmonies, it is a synthesis of many popular styles. Our band tries to stay true to the spirit and style of the music yet add a modern approach to keep the interest of today's audience. It is important to us to do our part in preserving this part of our American musical heritage."

The music played by the Riverboat Ramblers features many of the old Dixieland favorites that include the ragtime and blues styles. Their performance is in authentic dress and often includes the re-creation of a traditional New Orleans funeral ceremony and standard walk-around.

[Index] [General Description] [Current Members] [Specifications] [Type of Commitment]
[Physical Requirements] [Instrumentation] [Special Notes] [Press Release]