Hot House Jazz Band

Hot House Jazz Band, presents the styles of Jim Smith, Paul Butler, and Eric Henry. Hot House Jazz Band was formed in June of 1978. The musicians, who were between college semesters, began playing together as a summer job at an amusement park. The trio then found more steady work in the Manglina Cafe in Philadelphia. Following graduation, they continued playing together at festivals, fairs, private parties, weddings and concerts. Hot House has been on the artists roster for the Pennsylvania Council on Art since 1984. Placement on this roster affords the trio the opportunity to perform and teach as Artists in Residence in schools anywhere in Pennsylvania. In 1994, Hot House performed at the First International Louis Armstrong Jazz Festival in LeHarve, France. Jim Smith, tenor guitar/banjo and vocals, has led bands for many years in some of the finest restaurants in the city of Philadelphia. He is from Horseheads, New York. Paul Butler plays the clarinet and hails from Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania. Paul teaches at Immaculata College and Up at Tina s High School. In addition to playing with HotHouse, Paul has recorded with David Darling and Benny and the Vildachayas. Eric Henry is the tubist. Eric performs in the Harrisburg and Lancaster Symphonies, and the Chesapeake Brass Quntet. Eric is from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Hot House has two recordings, Pucker for Y All and Spetchin at the Tholik. A third recording is half completed. In addition to their own compositions, the talented trios will highlight works by Duke Ellington in celebration of what would have been the Duke's 100th birthday (April 29) this year. Ellington, who was world renown as a bandleader, arranger, pianist, and jazz stylist, wrote an estimated 2,000 songs during a 50-year career (1924-74). His works include such jazz classics as "Black and Tan Fantasy," "Mood Indigo," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Black, Brown and Beige." He recorded with traditional jazz artists -- such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Coleman Hawkins -- and with the modernists John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. Ellington's work was celebrated this year in cities across the United States, and he also was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize.