Red Hook Ramblers profile picture

Red Hook Ramblers

About Me

The Red Hook Ramblers were formed in 2005 in Brooklyn, NY, by a group of friends who share a passion for classic jazz, blues, spirituals, ragtime, and more. Dedicated to keeping alive America's rich early music, the Ramblers encourage you to seek out original recordings by the legendary performers and come out to hear how we do it live.

We play regularly in and around New York City and are available to hire for funerals, weddings, parties, fundraisers, or just general calamity.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/3/2006
Band Website: www.redhookramblers.com
Band Members: JD Benjamin - cornet
Chris Cortier - trombone
Joe Keady - tuba
Chris Johnson - banjo/piano
Curt Garey - drums
Janelle Reichman - clarinet

with thanks to Marshall Wilson, Chris Bannon, Alice Bierhorst, and Paul "Fess" Fisher for their friendship, musicianship and support
Influences: Louis Armstrong, New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Bunk Johnson, King Oliver, Fats Waller, Earl Hines, George Lewis, Jimmie Noone, Bix, Billy Banks' Orchestra, Don Redman, Venuti & Lang, Django, Jelly Roll, Papa Celestin's Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Muggsy Spanier, Jabbo Smith, ODJB, Freddy Keppard's various groups, Cab Calloway & the Missourians, the Chicagoans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Joplin and other ragtimers, and the rich heritage of African-American spirituals and blues can not possibly be understated or summarized here.

We're also inspired and influenced by all the brass and non-electric DIY bands in every form keeping music and communities alive in the world today.
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

July 20 gig at Louis Armstrongs house!!!

Yep, you read that right - we're playing in Satchmo's beautiful garden behind his house in Queens.  What fun, and a blessed honor!  Take a tour of the house and then kick back with us w...
Posted by on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:57:00 GMT

were featured in New York Magazine - Special Wedding 2008 issue

As of now, March, 2008, NY Magazine Special Wedding Annual is on sale and features us smack dab in the middle of pages 88 - 89, playing at Julie and Ben Wallach’s wedding in Fall ’07. ...
Posted by on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:58:00 GMT

New Year’s Eve Press!!!

The New York PostDecember 26, 2007"Let's Do the Time Warp"by Brian Niemietz SURE it's New Year's Eve 2007, but maybe you want to party like it's 1999? Or 1899? How about 1955? Leave Times Square to th...
Posted by on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 08:56:00 GMT

Our radio performance on WFMU - 11/6/07

On November 6th, we were invited to appear on WFMU's Antique Phonograph Show for an hour-long interview and performance.  It was a great time with DJ Mac talking about jazz history, our...
Posted by on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:52:00 GMT

The best Link to the Future is through the Past

Jazz began when men with military band instruments started putting blues in their marching tunes and spirituals.  So jazz began as folk music, and became popular underground music ...
Posted by on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:43:00 GMT