A.W Cardinal a new name for his gypsy jazz band — Blue Moon Marquee.
They play the Owl Acoustic Lounge, July 12.
Al Cardinal has already made his name as a blues and jazz singer, but upon meeting Jasmine Colette a couple of years ago and bonding over old blues guitarists like Lonnie Johnson, decided the band needed a new name.
“It is more gypsy jazz music along the lines of Django Reinhardt,” said Cardinal.
“ I listen to a lot of different kinds of music.”
He has been playing with Jasmine Colette for two years and decided to rename the band as a result.
“ She is the band. She plays stand up bass and drums,” he said.
“ Al rigged my drum with a brush so I can play it that way. So that's pretty cool,” added Colette adding it is challenging to play stand up bass and drums.
“ It is difficult, but we like to experiment like that,” she continued.
Their lifestyle is like their music — gypsy.
“ We live like gypsies. We live in a truck with a topper on it. Al fixed a bed back there, so we park in campgrounds unless we can get a good music festival and get a good hotel,” Colette continued.
Cardinal noted they have some pretty big jazz festivals booked this summer including the Vancouver Jazz Festival and Victoria Jazz Festival.
It has been a while since they last played Lethbridge.
“ It must be at least two years ago,” Cardinal said.
“ I remember it was January and we played the Owl. It's very good place. We’re excited to be back, that's for sure,” Cardinal continued.
There is no cover for the show which begins at 9 p.m. at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, July 9.
