Zuzu's Hot 5

is Pete Vigour (acoustic guitar), Brandon Rose (trumpet, cornet), Aaron Olwell (clarinet), Sam Green (upright bass), Paul Rosen (tenor banjo), Gary Elwell (trombone), and Susanna Rosen (vocals, uke). You’ll hear stomps, Dixieland, blues, and swing. Think Louis Armstrong’s Hot 5s and 7s, early Sophie Tucker, and Kate Smith.

♦ Pete Vigour is a multi-instrumentalist rooted in traditional music and turn-of-the-century genres. Longtime local music teacher, his band of 30 years, Uncle Henry’s Favorites, was featured on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. He has also played swing and Old Time music with The Lovell Coleman Band.

♦ Trombonist Gary Elwell spent 27 years in the Army Band in DC. He has performed with the Charlottesville and Waynesboro Symphonies and with Bill Carroll’s BC Big Rhythm Sound of Lynchburg, VA.

♦ Brandon Rose has provided his excellent trumpet and cornet skills for Baaba Seth, Conjunto Sason, The UVa Jazz Ensemble, The Crozet Symphony, and Mami Gato. He also plays with Queen City Porch Swingers.

♦ For over 20 years, string and wind instrumentalist Aaron Olwell has been steeped in Irish and Appalachian traditional music, but recently discovered the thrills of trad-jazz and the clarinet. He works with his father making 19th c. style wood flutes for musicians around the world. Aaron also tours with The Big Dixie Swingers from New Orleans, and was a founding member of Boxcar Speakeasy.

♦ Multi-instrumentalist Paul Rosen has a life-long passion for traditional jazz, blues, Cajun, and roots music. He is a founding member of Bayou Faux Pas, The Buzzard Rock Bayou Boys, and Floorplay. He plays with Cajun Punk group, Jolie Fille and with Joel Rubin’s UVa Klezmer Ensemble.

♦ Bassist Sam Green has been a member of two powerhouse rock bands: Blue State and Second Opinion. He is also our sound engineer (Thank You!)

♦ Susanna Rosen (vocals, ukeleles) has toured with The Alex Caton Band and ACME Swing Mfg. Co. She currently also appears with The Bob Bennetta Trio and Jelly Street Jazz.

We’ll take you there

You name it–we’ll kick your event into high gear. Galas, balls, beer and cider tastings, wine releases, street parties, bar-b-ques, antique car shows, speakeasies, and festivals. Imagine your own little brass combo at your oyster roast, birthday, garden party or Oktoberfest; serenading your loved ones at Mother’s or Father’s Day, or on the bandstand on the 4th of July. Of course, The Hot 5 is always up for dances, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.