Local jazz band continues to turn Casa into a ‘hot club’ on Monday nights
Running an Athens business and playing in two bands doesn’t stop Mark Burhans and his swing fiddle from performing on Monday nights.
Burhans’ band Coolville Hot Club routinely performs Monday evenings at Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St.
The group, which is in its tenth year of performing, was drawn together by a deep appreciation for hot club jazz and musician Django Reinhard.
Members include vocalist Emily Singer, bassist Michael Sisson and guitarists Art Werger and Jeff Carr.
The group plays covers of oldies ranging from Antonio Carlos Jobim to John Lennon, and is working on a few pieces written by Carr.
“Jeff Carr is a really talented songwriter and comes up with some great stuff … when he writes a jazz tune it sounds like it was written in the 1920s,” Burhans said.
The band thrives in a relaxed atmosphere; at performances there are no microphones and the members don’t play on stage. Burhans explains that these shows are ideal times for trying out new material and socializing.
“It’s not a show,” Burhans said. “We’re just right there.”
Outside of Coolville Hot Club members have their hands full with all sorts of other musical projects.
Burhans is the founder, arranger and trombonist for The Wild Honeybees and co-owns Restaurant Salaam, located at 21 W. Washington St. Singer spends time performing with The Wild Honeybees as well. Werger and Carr also play in other groups.
“We’re so happy we have Monday nights because it keeps us connected,” Burhans said.
Jazz music is a rarity in Athens, but Burhans said increasing amounts of people are beginning to seek out local music. He also said he believes people are starting to enjoy playing music themselves, as opposed to listening to commercialized music created electronically.
“I haven’t been to a lot of shows (in Athens), but sometimes that’s more fun than just listening to music in the dorms,” said Mason Tucker, a freshman studying engineering.
Burhans extends an invitation to anyone with jazz experience to join in on the performance.
“We always look forward to Monday nights,” he said. “You never know who’s going to show up.”
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