About the 309s
The 309s are first class, hard-working musicians and deserve every encouragement through these hard times….Bookers, venue owners, get on the line to these boys; they’re very good.”
Maverick Magazine.
West Yorkshire 5 piece, The 309s, have spent the last 18 years rocking and rolling their swing jive repertoire at events all over the country. Think Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Louis Jordan joining forces to make a classic 20th century sound that is the roots of Rock and Roll. Crowds have danced the days and nights away to the 309s’ beat at an extraordinary range of festivals and gigs.
What we do
There's been one hell of a lot of popular music recorded since gramophones were invented. So much to choose from...
The 309s take their pick of songs mostly from the southern States of America, in the years between 1925 and 1955. This gives us quite a range of music, from Western Swing ("jazz with a cowboy hat") created in Texas by Bob Wills, right through to Rock 'n' Roll's early days in Memphis, Tennessee. On the way we take in sub-genres such as country boogie and jump blues songs, now popular with jive dancers. No wonder, who can keep their feet still to Big Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle and Roll”?
We took these wonderful songs, we worked out what makes them tick, and now we use our instruments and skills to play them the best way we can. So was created the unique 309s sound, and it gets your feet jumping. Some are fast, a few are slow and romantic, and the rest are played with just the right pace and swing so you can dance all your favourite fancy moves.
Since 2015 we have been adding our own songs to the mix. Created to sound like classics from the 40s & 50s, you'd be hard pressed to know which is old and which is new. Whichever it is, we're going to give you a good good good good time!
The 309s are first class, hard-working musicians and deserve every encouragement through these hard times….Bookers, venue owners, get on the line to these boys; they’re very good.”
Maverick Magazine.
West Yorkshire 5 piece, The 309s, have spent the last 18 years rocking and rolling their swing jive repertoire at events all over the country. Think Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Louis Jordan joining forces to make a classic 20th century sound that is the roots of Rock and Roll. Crowds have danced the days and nights away to the 309s’ beat at an extraordinary range of festivals and gigs.
What we do
There's been one hell of a lot of popular music recorded since gramophones were invented. So much to choose from...
The 309s take their pick of songs mostly from the southern States of America, in the years between 1925 and 1955. This gives us quite a range of music, from Western Swing ("jazz with a cowboy hat") created in Texas by Bob Wills, right through to Rock 'n' Roll's early days in Memphis, Tennessee. On the way we take in sub-genres such as country boogie and jump blues songs, now popular with jive dancers. No wonder, who can keep their feet still to Big Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle and Roll”?
We took these wonderful songs, we worked out what makes them tick, and now we use our instruments and skills to play them the best way we can. So was created the unique 309s sound, and it gets your feet jumping. Some are fast, a few are slow and romantic, and the rest are played with just the right pace and swing so you can dance all your favourite fancy moves.
Since 2015 we have been adding our own songs to the mix. Created to sound like classics from the 40s & 50s, you'd be hard pressed to know which is old and which is new. Whichever it is, we're going to give you a good good good good time!
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Each band member is steeped in musical experience...
Nancy Varo - vocals Funny and raunchy, Nancy brings electrifying lead and harmony vocals to the band. Before joining The 309s, she led her own self-named jazz quartet. Her experience also includes gypsy jazz and ska. Nancy joined The 309s a few short years after their formation, and quickly became a defining force for the band, with strong vocal talent and indefinable charisma. Rod Boyes-Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica For many years Rod’s stunning vocal had been the main attraction in bluegrass and Cajun bands. He and Nancy provide the strong, sweet harmony sound that audiences love. In the last 10 years he has added lead guitar and harmonica to his rock solid rhythm playing, as well as writing much of The 309s current material. Rod's other job is making high quality leather straps and cases for musical instruments, under the name of Pinegrove Leather. See https://www.pinegroveleather.com/ Ian Tothill - Fiddle, Lap Steel and Trumpet After stints with country, rock n roll, cajun and skiffle bands Ian takes lead fiddle into new territory with his love of swing style and musical experimentation. A few years back he tried out the lap steel with startling success, and gave a whole new dimension to the 309s sound. Caution: Occasionally plays trumpet with variable proficiency, usually resulting in enthusiastic applause. John Murphy-Double bass, vocals Anchoring The 309s sound is the steady pulse of John’s bass. He shifted from guitar to bass many years ago and has never looked back. With his background in Folk, Cajun and Bluegrass he brings a variety of styles to his playing. He has even been known to play some slap bass or add his growl to the backing vocals. Tim Spencer-Drums Tim is able to create an amazing variety of sounds from a single snare drum. His years keeping jazz and blues bands together pay off for the 309s, by making sure that the dancers' feet stay flying. In our early years, Tim was limited to a snare drum, hi-hat and a large suitcase with a foot pedal attached. We now allow him to have another couple of cymbals and a real bass drum - a 1920s marching band monster. There is usually still room for the old suitcase on stage though, along with its raggy old 309s decal. |
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