On their new release of “A Texas-Sized Band,” The Joymakers, a ten-piece group from Austin, Texas provides a worthy romp of memorable music from the 1920s and 30s south and southwestern dance band repertories. Back in those days, jazz didn’t have the connotation of what it is today. Under the direction of multi-instrumentalist, musicologist and co-arranger Colin Hancock, The Joymakers simply play that tasteful, striking and snappy dance music of that bygone day. Imagine sitting around the living room listening to “His Master’s Voice” through an RCA Victor phonograph playing 78s but with much more clarity and a higher level of audio quality. Their most recognizable offering is “Bye Bye Baby (Blues)” now known more familiarly as “Careless Love” that saxophonist and co-arranger Lauryn Gould vocalizes with composure.      

The 1920s regional jazz styles reinvented by The Joymakers emphasize ragtime, blues, stomps and even an “Elephant’s Wobble” to close the set.  The elegant and lusty music is striking and tasteful. Clearly, the band also knows how to have fun as they play up a storm through a splendid set that evokes both vintage sensibility and a spry, individualistic jam session atmosphere. Colin Hancock’s liner notes explain the sources of inspiration for their nice arrangements that incorporate a wide variety of musical elements. They restate themes from ragtime and traditional New Orleans jazz and presage the syncopated section work that became the hallmark of the swing era.

Ranging in age from 25 to 60, The Joymakers include Colin Hancock (cornet, alto sax, baritone sax, mellophone, kazoo, clarinet mouthpiece, vocals), Lauren Gould (alto sax, soprano sax, tenor sax, vocals), Luke Allen (trumpet, vocals), Freddie Mendoza (trombone), David “Jelly” Jellema (c-melody sax, clarinet, cornet), Dylan Blackthorn (piano accordion), Shane Dickens (piano), Westen Borghesi (tenor banjo, tenor guitar), Ryan Gould (string bass) and Ryan Neubauer (drums). That’s quite an arsenal of instruments. “The Pay Off” and “Lots o’ Mama” are great showcases for the brass and woodwind. “Daniel’s Blues” give the rhythm players a chance to solo. The charming vocal abilities of three band members (Colin Hancock, Luke Allen, Lauren Gould) are featured on standout numbers like “Deep Elm (You Tell ‘Em I’m Blue),” “Dreaming ‘Bout My Man,” “Somebody Stole My Gal,” “He’s Tall and Dark and Handsome,” “Honey Child,” “Clap Hands! Here Comes Charley!,” and “Daniel’s Blues.”  The fast –paced instrumentals are also full of spark and energy. Like Bennie Moten’s bands, The Joymakers give us up-tempo romps as well as a copious amount of danceable compositions that were a precursor the classic 30s swing bands of Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio.

Recreating those authentic “hot” regional sounds, The Joymakers emphasize that vintage Kansas City stomping jam-mode. “A Texas-Sized Band” is a project with a nice repertoire presented by masterful players. Their fascinating mixture of musical reminiscence allows us to revisit jazz history from a slightly different perspective. With fresh arrangements that pay tribute and don’t wander too far from original scores, The Joymakers are a contemporary pacesetter for the revival of 1920s swing dance music. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)