Bad Hat
Connected as faculty, alums, and friends to Austin College, Bad Hat plays an eclectic mix of jazz, Celto-Cowboy, Americana, and world music—ukuleles figure in somehow! Since 2009 Bad Hat has performed often on the AC campus as well as in local festivals around Texoma. But they claim to be, like, stars in Sweden. Or Switzerland. Or somewhere.

The Bois D’Arc Boys & Friends
From the Sherman-Denison area, the Bois D’Arc Boys & Friends are an all-acoustic band and play well-known songs from a wide variety of musical styles and eras. Their instruments and music are reminiscent of the street corner bands and jug bands from days gone by.

Denison Jazz Ensemble
The “DJE,” or Denison Jazz Ensemble, is a component of the great music program of Denison ISD. The Ensemble consists of Denison High School students who have an interest in learning this uniquely American musical idiom of jazz. Under the direction of Bob Archer, one of the finest bass trombonists and low brass teachers in the Southwest, the DJE performs music from the 1920s to today, incorporating swing, rock, Latin, and more.

Gainesville Swing Orchestra
Going strong for 31 years, this group of 25 musicians and 3 vocalists continue to dazzle audiences with their jazz, swing, and Big Band Era favorites!

James and Allen Jazz
James Dering and Allen Clark team up to explore a variety of New Orleans styles of music. Jazz Pianist James Dering studied jazz piano with such greats as Ellis Marsalis (father of Wynton Marsalis and teacher to Harry Connick, Jr.), Peter Martin, and Victor Atkins. He has been heard in concert halls, as a regular in the French Quarter in New Orleans, and beyond.  Allen Clark is studying Music at SOSU, but he has already had wide broad experience, having performed nationally in brass and jazz ensembles all over the US and internationally in Turks and Caicos, Fiji, and France.

Jay-B & The Zydeco Posse
One of the premier Zydeco bands in the Southwest, Jay-B & the Zydeco Posse stays busy in the Metroplex and beyond. Zydeco originates from the Creole and African American communities in Southwest Louisiana.  It is energetic.   Warning: It may not be possible to avoid dancing!

Prohibition Jazz Band
Bassist Marla Sporrer has extensive experience in all the jazz styles, but especially in Dixieland and blues. She has put together some of the finest Dixieland musicians in the southwest to play the band’s premier performance at the Sherman Mardi Gras and Jazz Festival.

Raphael Espinoza
Something hot and fresh out of the kitchen, Rafael Espinoza is taking the music world by storm performing original music that is deeply rooted in the Blues. He is making a path for himself with a sound all his own that can’t be pigeon-holed. Graduating with Academic Honors “Magna Cum Laude” at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in August 2013, Rafael studied with the top professionals in the music industry and performed at some of Boston’s finest venues.  Rafael Espinoza also recently won The Heart Of Texas Blues Challenge at Antone’s in Austin, TX, where he competed against the state’s Top Blues Bands.

Rod and the Reporters
Rodney Booth began his professional career over thirty years ago, as a trumpet player in his father’s bands. He received his degree in Jazz Studies at UNT and was a member of the renowned North Texas State 1 o’clock Lab Band. He has toured with numerous big bands and played with major recording artists such as Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson, Wayne Newton, Dionne Warwick, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Hamlisch, to name a few. Rodney’s second CD, “Ten and One,” features Swing and Big Band Music has been featured on radio shows as far away as South Africa and Argentina.

Strictly Dixie
Strictly Dixie is a group of high-energy, laid-back, fun-loving musicians who have played together for nearly 20 years. Woody Wood, their talented reed man, just celebrated his ninetieth birthday, and he is still playing up a storm! Most members are retired from their “regular” careers, but they ALL think this new career is the Best Yet! All have been a part of the North Central Texas music scene since the mid 1990’s. Sit back and enjoy this great Dixieland jazz.
Three River Jazz Quartet

The Three River Quartet started in 2011 by sax man Chris Dixon at SOSU as a group devoted to improvisational jazz.
Quartet members boast a wide variety of experience all over the US.  It is a band with a mission:  to spread the American art of jazz all across the greater Texoma area and beyond.
Toney Walsh Jazz Combo
Toney Walsh has thrilled crowds all over the Southwest with his vocal stylings. He has also appeared with numerous bands and orchestras in Tennessee, California, Florida and Arizona. And as a native of Memphis, Toney also loves singing those Elvis Presley classics! He takes great pride in his ability to deliver highly energetic interpretations of some of the finest tunes from the Great American Songbook.