Fat Babies

Biography

The Fat Babies are a Chicago-based jazz ensemble founded in 2010 by string bass player Beau Sample. The group formed with the mission of authentically interpreting and reviving the classic jazz styles of the 1920s and 1930s, a period often referred to as the golden age of jazz. Over the years, the band has grown to include eight members, each a consummate musician with deep roots in both local and international jazz scenes. Their lineup has featured Andy Schumm (cornet), Paul Asaro (piano and vocals), Dave Bock (trombone), Alex Hall (drums), Johnny Donatowicz (banjo/guitar), John Otto (clarinet/alto sax), and Jake Sanders (banjo/guitar), among others.

The Fat Babies quickly established themselves as one of the leading traditional jazz bands in the United States, regularly performing at Chicago venues and gaining national and international recognition. Their discography includes several albums released on the prestigious Delmark label, such as 'Solid Gassuh' and 'Uptown,' which showcase their dedication to historically accurate arrangements and vibrant ensemble playing. The band is known for its meticulous approach to period authenticity, from their choice of repertoire to their instrumentation and arrangements, often drawing on rare and obscure jazz compositions alongside well-known classics. Their performances evoke the emotional vitality and danceable joy of early jazz, appealing to both seasoned aficionados and younger audiences.

While firmly rooted in tradition, The Fat Babies are not mere imitators; they bring fresh energy and inventive musicianship to their interpretations, often creating original arrangements and compositions that seamlessly blend with vintage material. Their legacy lies in their role as cultural custodians, keeping the spirit of early jazz alive and relevant in the modern era, and inspiring a new generation of musicians and listeners to appreciate the enduring charm of ragtime and swing.

Fun Facts

• The Fat Babies are known for their massive book of original arrangements, rumored to be so large it could give you a hernia.
• Despite their youth, the band members are described as 'very old men at heart' due to their dedication to vintage jazz styles.
• Their albums are so historically accurate that, if you added crackles and pops, listeners might mistake them for compilations of old 78 rpm records.
• The band has played at the same Chicago club for nearly a decade, becoming a fixture of the local jazz and dance scene.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Early Jazz Masters (e.g., Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton) - Stylistic influences; band members are obsessive record collectors and students of classic jazz recordings. (Repertoire includes works by Armstrong, Morton, and other 1920s-30s jazz icons.) [Ongoing since formation]

Key Collaborators

• Andy Schumm - Cornetist, arranger, and composer; core band member and contributor of original works. (Albums: 'Uptown', 'Solid Gassuh'; original compositions and arrangements.) [2010–present]
• Paul Asaro - Pianist and vocalist; core band member and featured on several tracks. (Albums: 'Uptown', 'Solid Gassuh'; live performances.) [2010–present]
• Jonathan Doyle - Reedman; joined as eighth member, contributed original compositions. (Album: 'Uptown'; composition 'Sweet is the Night'.) [2019–present]
• Cellar Boys - Chicago jazz group; shared members and collaborative performances. (Live shows, recordings.) [2010s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Chicago Bar Jazz Scene - Inspired a vibrant local scene of young jazz musicians and dancers. (Weekly gigs, fostering community and tradition.) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Egyptian Ella (Solid Gassuh)
2. A Jazz Holiday (Diga Diga Doo)
3. Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me? (Diga Diga Doo)
4. My Daddy Rocks Me (Diga Diga Doo)
5. A Good Man Is Hard to Find (Diga Diga Doo)
6. Parkaway Stomp (Solid Gassuh)
7. The Stampede (18th & Racine)
8. I Can't Dance (I Got Ants in My Pants) (18th & Racine)
9. Blue (And Broken Hearted) (Diga Diga Doo)
10. Sweet Sue (Just You) (Diga Diga Doo)

External Links

• Spotify