On April 11, 2003, Tom and Debra sponsored a "Battle of the Jump Blues Bands" pitting DC's Big Joe and the Dynaflows against Chicago's Leslie Byers and the Jazz Cats. It wasn't so much a battle as a celebration of the Jump Blues idiom. 350 people showed up at CCB and packed the place for four hours of grooving to some of the best sounds heard in this area for some time. Both bands collaborated in the jam, trading riffs across the floor. Guest artist Robin Cunningham sang Blue Skies, a real show-stopper.

It was a great evening of fun; we saw lots of folks that haven't been around for years. A special "Howdy" to Jane Ford, Donna Roselle, Carla Templin, Rayned Wiles, Lizzie Hess, Caroline Westhaefer, and Heather [Thomke] Perry. It was great to see you plus the regular zany cast of characters.

"Big Joe" Maher and the Dynaflows


Leslie Byers and the Jazz Cats

Here are some more photos from the gig:

Jane and carol


Donna Roselle


Rayned Wiles


Carla Templin and Arnold Taylor


Heather [Thomke] Perry


Judy


Lizzie Hess and Caroline Westhaefer


Michael


Sandra