Biography
The South Frisco Jazz Band is a renowned traditional jazz ensemble founded in 1956 by banjoist Vince Saunders in Orange County, California. The band's name pays homage to the classic San Francisco jazz of Lu Watters and Turk Murphy, with a particular emphasis on the two-cornet front line popularized by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. Throughout the 1960s, the band became a staple of the Southern California jazz scene, performing regularly at venues such as the Honeybucket in Costa Mesa and the Pizza Palace in Huntington Beach, where they held a residency for over five years[2][5].
The South Frisco Jazz Band specialized in the authentic jazz styles of the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on the repertoire of King Oliver, Lu Watters, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Clarence Williams, and Turk Murphy. Their dedication to ensemble sound and pre-1930 jazz performance made them stand out among traditional jazz bands. Over the decades, the band built a worldwide following, recording more than a dozen albums and appearing at major jazz festivals across the United States and internationally, including tours in Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean[1][2].
Known for their dynamic and soulful performances, the South Frisco Jazz Band maintained high standards of authenticity and musicianship. The group often convened for festival appearances, overseas tours, and recording sessions, with members residing across the US. Their legacy lies in their commitment to preserving and revitalizing classic jazz traditions, influencing generations of musicians and enthusiasts dedicated to the genre[1][2][3].
Fun Facts
- Despite their name, the South Frisco Jazz Band originated in Orange County, California—far south of San Francisco.
- The band maintained a residency at the Pizza Palace in Huntington Beach for over five years, becoming a local institution.
- South Frisco Jazz Band performed at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1982 and toured extensively in Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean.
- Members of the band often held day jobs outside of music, coming together for festivals, concerts, and recording sessions.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Lu Watters - Primary stylistic inspiration; South Frisco modeled their ensemble sound and repertoire after Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. (Yerba Buena Jazz Band recordings) [1940s (influence), 1979-1995 (South Frisco revival)]
- King Oliver - Influence on two-cornet front line and repertoire; band emulated King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band sound. (Creole Jazz Band recordings) [1920s (influence), 1956-present (South Frisco performances)]
- Turk Murphy - San Francisco revivalist jazz inspiration; South Frisco adopted Murphy's approach to ensemble and repertoire. (Turk Murphy Jazz Band recordings) [1940s-1970s (influence)]
Key Collaborators
- Vince Saunders - Founder and banjoist; led the band and shaped its musical direction. (All South Frisco Jazz Band albums and performances) [1956-1990s]
- Bob Helm - Frequent guest clarinetist; key figure in the Yerba Buena Jazz Band, collaborated in concerts and recordings. (Concerts, recordings, festival appearances) [1979-1995]
- Dan Comins - Cornetist; contributed to the two-cornet sound in later editions of the band. (Live performances, recordings) [1980s-1990s]
- Leon Oakley - Cornetist; played with Turk Murphy and contributed to South Frisco's front line. (Live performances, recordings) [1980s-1990s]
- Mike Baird - Clarinetist; known for his blues style and ensemble playing. (Live performances, recordings) [1980s-1990s]
- Pat Yankee - Vocalist; joined for an 18-day tour of Germany. (1994 Germany tour) [1994]
- Fenix Jazz Band (Argentina) - Collaborated on live music video and performances. (Live music video) [1980s]
Artists Influenced
- Southern California traditional jazz musicians - Inspired local musicians to pursue authentic jazz styles and ensemble playing. (Local jazz scene, festival performances) [1960s-present]
- International jazz festival participants - Influenced musicians and audiences through festival appearances and tours. (Edinburgh International Festival, Marciac Jazz Festival, Osaka Festival) [1982-1995]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sage Hen Strut | 2015-09-11 | Album |
| These Cats Are Diggin' Us! | 2014-09-23 | Album |
| Broken Promises | 2014-07-08 | Album |
| Got Everything | 1992-06-16 | Album |
| Hot Tamale Man | 1968-06-03 | Album |
| Hot Tamale Man (Digitally Remastered) | 2010-12-14 | Album |
Top Tracks
- San Francisco Bay Blues (Broken Promises)
- All Night Blues (Sage Hen Strut)
- Bouncing Around (Broken Promises)
- Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Broken Promises)
- Snake Rag (These Cats Are Diggin' Us!)
- Kansas City Stomps (These Cats Are Diggin' Us!)
- Some of These Days (Sage Hen Strut)
- West Texas Blues (Sage Hen Strut)
- If Someone Would Only Love Me (Sage Hen Strut)
- Coal Cart Blues (Sage Hen Strut)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
South Frisco Jazz Band has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 8, 2025 | 09:38 | New Orleans Shufflefrom Hot Tamale Man | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete | |
| Nov 8, 2025 | 09:34 | Sweet Lotus Blossomfrom Hot Tamale Man | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete |