jake leg stompers

Biography

The Jake Leg Stompers are a Tennessee-based band dedicated to reviving and performing pre-World War II American roots music. Formed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the group specializes in the lively, rebellious sounds of early 20th-century American music, including Memphis jug band, Appalachian hillbilly, and early jazz and blues traditions. Their performances are characterized by the use of period instruments and authentic arrangements, capturing the spirit of a time when folk, blues, and jazz were still deeply intertwined and evolving[1][2][4].

The band was founded and is led by Ron Bombardi, a philosophy professor, and Bill Steber, an alumnus of the MTSU photo department. The Jake Leg Stompers have become known for their energetic live shows and their commitment to historical accuracy, both in musical style and instrumentation. Their repertoire draws heavily from the music of the 1920s and 1930s, with influences ranging from jug band pioneers to early jazz greats like Fats Waller. The group has received recognition for their work, including winning the prestigious Uncle Dave Macon Days festival[3].

Through their recordings and performances, the Jake Leg Stompers have helped preserve and popularize a vibrant chapter of American musical history, introducing new audiences to the raw, unfiltered sounds of pre-war roots music. Their legacy lies in their ability to bridge the past and present, keeping the traditions of early American music alive with both reverence and irreverence.

Fun Facts

• The band is known for using authentic period instruments, including washboards and jugs, to recreate the sounds of the 1920s and 1930s[1][2].
• Jake Leg Stompers won the Uncle Dave Macon Days festival, a major event celebrating old-time music[3].
• Their name references 'Jake Leg,' a condition caused by drinking adulterated Jamaican ginger extract during Prohibition, reflecting their connection to historical Americana[1].
• Band members have colorful stage personas and humorous bios, embracing the playful, rebellious spirit of early American music[6].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Fats Waller - Stylistic influence; inspiration for jazz and blues elements in their repertoire (Covers and arrangements of early jazz standards) [1920s-1940s (influence period)]
• Memphis Jug Bands - Musical inspiration; foundational influence on their jug band style (Traditional jug band songs) [1920s-1930s (influence period)]

Key Collaborators

• Ron Bombardi - Band leader, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist (All Jake Leg Stompers albums and performances) [2000s-present]
• Bill Steber - Co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist (All Jake Leg Stompers albums and performances) [2000s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Big Road Blues (Hill Country HooDoo)
2. Big Bad Bill (Hot Feet)
3. Beale Street Holiday (Hill Country HooDoo)
4. Goin' Down South (feat. Luther Dickinson) (Hill Country HooDoo)
5. KC Moan (feat. Jimbo Mathus) (Hill Country HooDoo)
6. Linin' Track (feat. the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band) (Hill Country HooDoo)
7. Keep It Clean (Hill Country HooDoo)
8. Field Mouse Stomp (Hill Country HooDoo)
9. Hurry Up Sunrise (feat. Luther Dickinson) (Hill Country HooDoo)
10. Aunt Caroline Dyer (Hill Country HooDoo)

External Links

• Spotify