Ever since they began swinging in 1989, San Francisco-based Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers have been making a name for themselves as one of the hottest jump blues and swing bands in the world. Sultry chanteuse Lavay uses her big, bluesy voice and glamorous stage presence to evoke an era of sensuous jazz queens with a modern, feminist twist, approaching her often hilarious, provocative lyrics from the standpoint of an independent woman. Performing a blend of originals and classics, Lavay and her all-star 8-piece band (four horns, guitar, piano, bass and drums) never fail to concoct a sizzling recipe for dancing and good times. Thay have won numerous awards including a "Wammie" (Best Blues Band, 1991) and a "Bammie" (Best Swing Band, 1996), and were voted best band in the 1998 SF Chronicle and Examiner readers' polls. Lavay's new CD, Everybody's Talkin' 'Bout Miss Thing (Fat Note) incorporates a variety of classic American musical styles, including swing, bebop, salsa, jump blues, and New Orleans R&B. |
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