the zoltans
News
February 2012
10 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
Download flyer pdf Z 10 years
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December 2011
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April 2011
Zoltans New Uniform
Bewick's co-organiser and Radio DJ Lou Blackwell presented the Zoltans with a set of 1940's replica ties to add some colour to the band's uniform. This act of generosity was made at the Witham gig on Saturday 9th April and they were worn for the second set.
Thanks Lou - we are very grateful!
www.bewicksjamnight.com/
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January 2011
Step out with Zoltans and catch swing fever
Article in Southend newspaper Thursday 28th January 2011
By Hannah Marsh »
SWING is in the middle of a major resurgence, and it seems we modern guys and gals can’t get enough of those vintage sounds.
Petticoats, Forties hair, jive and the lindy-hop are back and eager to get in on the swing scene’s new-found popularity, so it’s no wonder Southend’s own jump jive band the Zoltans are launching a new night at Saks Wine Bar.
The Zoltans Jive Dance Night will see the six-piece outfit take to the stage to serenade punters with the sounds of the Forties, while fans of the dance can show off their moves on the floor, or just enjoy the retro atmosphere.
“We like the idea of people dancing to our music,” says Rick Dawson, the group’s pianist and founding member.
“We are a dance band basically. We’re not a jazz band. We do have a few solos, sax and piano, but we don’t want people to sit and analyse them, we want them to dance.”
Rick says the resurgence of interest in the Forties swing scene is partly down to the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing, which has seen people up and down the country investigating local dance classes and exploring styles of dancing.
“People think it’s not too expensive to learn how to do it. It’s good fun and they’re willing to give it a go,” he says.
“All these things go in and out of fashion. There was a strong revival in the early Eighties.”
Rick started playing swing when he was a schoolboy playing in a big band. He went on to found classic Eighties outfit Rent Party before the Zoltans.
He says nothing beats the sounds of the Forties for him.
He adds:“It’s great good-time music. We just think it’s great.”
The Zoltans will play the Jive Dance Night at Saks Wine Bar, High Street, Southend, on the first Thursday of every month, at 8pm, with the first night on February 3. Admission is £4. Visit: www.zoltans.co.uk
New Live Zoltans CD?
A live gig was recorded by Jon Webber on Thursday 6th January at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club
with special guest Will Gaines tap dancing.
This is currently being mixed and assessed by the band to see if it's good enough to release
as only the 2nd CD in the Zoltans catalogue
Ace audio soundman Paul Dawson has been recruited to provide the optimum mix
Watch this space for further developments!
November 2010
Karen on TV with Rod Stewart
Once again our very own Zoltana Karen has appeared on national TV
this time with none other than Pop superstar Rod Stewart!
She played her trumpet for "What a difference a day makes"
Watch the YouTube clip by clicking on the link below
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YugDdRFiSPE
Our thanks to Lee Harvey Osmond for this clip from ITV's Alan Titchmarsh show
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October 2010
Marriage Proposal
When playing at Jean's 40th Birthday party in Maldon on Saturday 23rd October the Zoltans were very pleased to witness Jean's boyfriend present her with a customised chocolate bar inside which was a message saying "Will you marry me Jean?"
The audience wasted no time congratulating the happy couple and suitable music was also played on the iPhone piped through the PA system before the band played their second set.
The Zoltans wish Jean and hubby-to-be all the best and thank them for booking us for this happy event
JUNE 2010
May 2010
Sugar Ray Ford sings with The Zoltans
Special guest singer Sugar Ray Ford helped out the Zoltans by standing in
at the Peterboat in Leigh-on-sea, Essex. As you can see from the picture above everyone had a very good time! This was also the first time a guitarist had ever appeared with the band.
See the Video page for 5 film clips
March 2010
Stephen Koch Louis Jordan Film to be screened at the 2nd Southend Film Festival
on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May at 5.45 pm
at the Park Inn Palace Hotel, Southend Pier Hill
Followed by Louis Jordan short films
www.southendfilmfestival.com
Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story
The Laurel & Hardy Suite
Monday 3rd May : 5:45pm : £2
USA : 2008 : 60mins : Cert. U
Directed by Kevin Clark.
Louis Jordan (1908-1975) was a pioneering American jazz blues and rhythm & blues musician, songwriter and bandleader who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as the “King of the Jukebox”, he was highly popular with black and white audiences in the later years of the swing era. This insightful documentary traces the life of this extraordinary musician and what influenced him.
Louis Jordan Soundies – See the legend himself performing his hits in these short films from the 1940’s.
Richard Dawson from The Zoltans will join us for this special screening.
Park Inn Palace
Laurel & Hardy Suite,
Church Road, Southend-on-Sea,
Essex SS1 2AL
01702 455 100
Click here to view the southend film festival brochure
February 2010
ZOLTANA KAREN ON TV AGAIN!
Zoltana Karen appears on the Chris Moyles Channel 4 TV show on Friday nights at 10 pm from 26th February 2010
She is booked to play her trumpet in the house band and will appear once again in the 2nd TV series.
She played in the first series too. See below for more details and YouTube clip
PAUL McCARTNEY SAYS
"I WANNA PLAY WITH THE ZOLTANS! I ALREADY WEAR THE UNIFORM!!"
January 2010
MySpace website reaches over 10,000 hits in less than a year!
No mean achievement considering this website has been set up less than 12 months ago!
Zoltans MySpace website
November 2009
Old Pals Act
Our regular drummer Bob Clouter and occassional stand-in bass player John Bobin have been playing together since they were both 12 years old!
At the Zoltans gig on Friday 13th November they played together once more and won the crowd over with their first rate musicianship.
John Bobin today
September 2009
Stephen Koch
- Louis Jordan authority from Arkansas, USA
toured UK Saturday 29th August to Sunday 6th September showing a
60 minute documentary film entitled "Is You Is - a Louis Jordan story"
at the Twinwoods Glenn Miller Festival and Rochford, Essex
Quote from S.K. "We had an absolute blast and enjoyed the whole trip, but esp. getting to
see the ZOLTANS rock out! Wish we could have turned out a full house for you, but
I thought it was great! Hoping to return soon with a more serious screening schedule"
Koch's role in the annual Louis Jordan Tribute events has been recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Stephen Koch performs with The Zoltans
August 2009
Zoltan Ricardo
fully prepared for the Zoltans World Tour
Zoltans Bob and Clive also ready
Worldwide Tour Representation now sought
ZOLTANA KAREN ON TV
Zoltana Karen appeared on the Chris Moyles Channel 4 TV show on Sunday nights at 10 pm from Sunday 22nd March 2009
She was booked to play her trumpet in the house band and appeared in the entire TV series.
Zoltan Mat and Zoltan Rick may be seen in the audience if you look VERY carefully
Watch the YouTube highlights here!
www.youtube.com/watch
Our thanks once more to Lee Harvey Osmond for this edited clip
STRICTLY COME DANCING
Our very own Zoltana Karen appeared on this BBC1 programme on Sunday 28th September 2008
playing her trumpet in the band accompanying the Sugarbabes in "Here come the girls"
See the clip at this link
Strictly Come Dancing
Our thanks to Lee Harvey Osmond for this
CARTOON
The Zoltans have filmed a live performance of "Barnyard Boogie."
This has been edited into an animated film made by artist Spencer Morley.
The song has proved a big hit with children & the young at heart and a cartoon adds to it's impact greatly.
To see the cartoon in full widescreen go to our Video page
It is also available on our YouTube page
Enjoy!
