NORWICH – For over a decade, Chenango County residents have had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of national talent in the weeks leading up to the Chenango Blues Festival and this year will be no different as the Chenango Blues Association once again offers up its Summer Concert Series, beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday with a performance by the Rochester-based Po’Boys Brass Band.
A far cry from the traditional brass band, the Po’Boys were “founded by a bunch of trombone players that were fed up with sitting in the back of orchestras and jazz bands,” according to the band’s website, poboysbrassband.com.
Featuring trombonists Evan Dobbins, Nick Finzer, Erik Jacobs and Chris Van Hof, guitarist Mike Frederick, drummer Chris Teal and T.J. Ricer on sousaphone, this New Orleans-inspired ensemble has, in recent years, established itself as a powerhouse of brass, funk, soul and rock, from Stevie Wonder to Tower of Power, Led Zeppelin to Edgar Winter.
“It’s a style we’ve never put on before and we like to represent as many styles as we can,” said Chenango Blues Association Board of Directors President Eric Larsen, who added the blues association had been trying to get the band involved with the annual festival for several years. “It’s something we haven’t done before and I think people will like it. It’s fun music and something you won’t see anywhere else.”
Jacobs, the bands leader and vocalist, said he and the other Po’Boys are “really excited” for their first trip to Norwich and added, “It’s really just about a party, have a good time and make sure everyone is up on their feet and dancing.”
As for the small-town, small-crowd atmosphere, Jacobs commented “every show you do, you’re mindful of the audience,” and added “crowd participation is a definite,” as it’s not unusual to find the horn section parading through the crowd, New Orleans-style.
“It’s kind of like a first date,” laughed Jacobs. “You try and give them every reason to ask you back for a second performance and make that personal connection.”
The Summer Concert Series will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday evenings in West Park. Future Summer Concert Series performances will feature C.J. Chenier on July 22, Ana Popovic on July 29 and The New Riders of the Purple Sage on Aug. 5. A special Chenango County Fair performance will be held Aug. 10 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, featuring guitarist Les Dudek. All shows are free to the public and in the event of inclement weather, the Thursday evening performances will be held in the Chenango County Council of the Arts auditorium, 27 West Main St. For more information visit chenangobluesfest.org.