Laissez les bon temps rouler!
About Kanola Band
Kanola Band brings together some of the most experienced and diverse musicians in the midwest US jazz scene to pay tribute to the great music and heritage of New Orleans. Dipping into the city's diverse musical history including traditional Dixieland, groovin' zydeco, soulful funk to blasting brass band second lines, audiences of all ages will leave feeling just a bit happier than when they came. Bring your dancing shoes, leave your worries behind and be ready for some fun, because Kanola Band is always a good time!
Playing at a range of venues, Kanola adapts amazingly to their surroundings and audiences. They have played in clubs to dancing audiences, opened for national touring acts in theatres, presented educational clinic performances at middle & high schools, in addition to major universities, and have performed at outdoor festivals. Wherever Kanola brings their infectiously fun music, the consensus is the same - the audience is “with them”! In other words, engaged, entertained, and excited.
About The Musicians
Kanola members have performed at some of the most prestigious international music venues including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Ronnie Scotts, Kennedy Center for the Arts and have recorded and toured with some of the top jazz musicians/bands on the scene including the Doc Severinsen Big Band, Etienne Charles Big Band, Curtis Stigers, Henry Mancini Institute Jazz Orchestra, Tri-Fi, Knee Deep Shag, Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra and more. In addition to being veteran musicians, they are also passionate music educators who have held teaching positions at Western Michigan University, Purdue University (Ft. Wayne), Kalamazoo College, Saginaw Valley State University, and Jazz & Creative Institute. Their unique and engaging approach to performing will leave all ages of audiences having fun while learning about jazz, improvisation, music history, alongside the rich history and music of New Orleans all while grooving in their seat or dancing in the aisle.
The Legend of Kanola…
Way, waaayyy back in 2013, in the cold frozen tundra of Kalamazoo, Michigan, jazz trumpeter Benje Daneman was summoned by a local music venue to put together some “New Orleans” music for a Sunday Gumbo Brunch. He called up the grooviest drummer he knew, Jeff Moehle, to join in. With vigor, Jeff agreed and the rest was history. Since then, with the changing faces of the Kanola Band (except for Benje & Jeff), came a deeper love and respect for the amazing music, history, and culture of New Orleans. Every gig points directly south to The Big Easy!