Since 1996, Chicago's Rhythm Rockets have been delivering 100 shows a year of their brand of vintage Rhythm & Blues, with songs influenced by the sax-driven bands of the late 1940's and early 1950's. In keeping with that style of music, the Rhythm Rockets' performances reflect the diversity of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues for which Chicago is famous. The Rhythm Rockets deliver danceable, high-energy music in an authentic stage show that appeals to audiences of all ages. Fronted by veteran vocalist Nicole Kestler, the Rhythm Rockets move effortlessly between torch ballads to up-tempo Jump/Swing numbers. The Rhythm Rockets are backed by three saxophones, upright bass, drums and guitar.
The band was so professional and so fun! Amazing communication up to the big day. They were so accommodating and helpful. The performance was incredible and they brought so much life to our reception. I highly recommend the Rhythm Rockets for any event!
Response from Rhythm Rockets:
It was our pleasure! You threw such a nice, relaxed, fun reception! All the best!
Price Range: $900-$3500
Gig Length: 45 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
The Rhythm Rockets' show is a musical history lesson focused on the early Rhythm & Blues from the 1940s & 1950's. Priding themselves on performing the more obscure songs from artists such as Dinah Washington, Mabel Scott, Etta James, Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Big Maybelle Smith, Louis Jordan, Amos Milborn and more, the Rockets deliver an authentic trip to the heyday of American music.
So whether you are a dancer in need of Swing, Lindy, East or West coast or a lover of vintage Jump Blues, the Rockets can deliver a memorable show for all ages.
Since 1996, Chicago's Rhythm Rockets have been delivering 100 shows a year of their brand of vintage Rhythm & Blues, with songs influenced by the sax-driven bands of the late 1940's and early 1950's. In keeping with that style of music, the Rhythm Rockets' performances reflect the diversity of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues for which Chicago is famous.
From original compositions to matchless arrangements of vintage classics, the Rhythm Rockets deliver danceable, high-energy music in an authentic stage show that appeals to audiences of all ages. Fronted by veteran vocalist Nicole Kestler, the Rhythm Rockets move effortlessly between torch ballads by Etta James & Dinah Washington to up-tempo numbers by Louis Jordan & Louis Prima. Along with Nicole's old-school interpretation, the Rhythm Rockets are backed by three saxophones, upright bass, drums and guitar, Ms Kestler transfixes audiences with vocals that are authentic and second to none.
In their home state of Illinois, the Rockets have performed at the Paramount Arts Center, Woodstock Opera House, Willowbrook Ballroom, Green Dolphin Street, Rialto Square Theater, House of Blues, Chord on Blues and Chicagoland's longest-running weekly Swing event at Frankie's Blue Room for nine years.
In addition, the band has performed in numerous venues across America, recorded and self produced four albums, and had four original songs featured on the FOX-TV show, the Tick in 2001. From their infectious music to their unforgettable stage show, there’s just no telling how high the Rhythm Rockets will soar in years to come.
The Rhythm Rockets can supply our own sound system (medium & small) to accomodate most private event situations, or we can work with your professional sound engineer. We have performed on stage in front of 50,000 and have performed on small stages in an intimate setting. We can work with you and your specific needs.
5-10-15 Hours - Ruth Brown
Ain't Mis Behavin' - Fats Waller
Ain't Nobody's Business- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan
All Night Long - Joe Houston
At Last - Etta James
Baby You're Always On My Mind - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Back to the Chicken Shack
Bernie's Tune
Blues In The Night - Sam Butera
Bottoms Up - Illinois Jacquet
Bumpin
Buzz Buzz Buzz - Treniers
Buzz Me Blues - Louis Jordan
Buzzard Pie
C Jam Blues
Caledonia - Louis Jordan
Caravan
Causin' Me Pain - Rhythm Rockets' Original
Charade - Bobby Darin
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - Louis Jordan
Daddy Daddy - Ruth Brown
Daddy Don't Shout - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Day Old Bread and Canned Beans - Treniers
Dilly Dally
Drinkin' Beer - Tiny Grimes
Drinkin' Wine Spodee Odee - Treniers
Fever - Sam Butera version
Five Months Two Weeks Two Days - Louis Prima
Foot Stompin
Forty Cups of Coffee - Ella Mae Morse
Frog Hop - Hal Singer
Getting Some on the Side - Rhythm Rockets' Original
Gimme Some - Nina Simone
Good Rockin' Tonight - Treniers
Goody Goody - Teenagers
Happy Pay Day
Have Mercy - Ella Mae Morse
Here's Love In Your Eye
Hole in the Wall
Hucklebuck
I Don't Hurt Anymore - Dinah Washington
I Want You - Cadets
If You And I Could Be Sweethearts - Variateers
I'll Call You Tomorrow - Bobby "Blue" Bland
I'm Beginning to See the Light - Harry James
I'm In The Mood for You
I'm Tired of Crying Over You - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
In The Middle of the Night - Amos Milborn
Is You Is or Is You Ain't - Louis Jordan
It Ain't the Meat - Swallows
It Ain't What You Say - Little Esther
I've Got A Feelin' - Big Maybelle Smith
Jump & Shout
Jump For Joy - Peggy Lee
Jump Jive & Wail - Louis Jordan
Jump These Blues - Rhythm Rockets
Just A Little Lovin' - Ray Charles
Just Give Me A Man - Maybelle Scott
Kidney Stew - Cleanhead Vinson
Kissin' Boogie
Let The Good Times Roll - Louis Jordan
Let's Have A Party - Amos Milborn
Let's House Party - Amos Milborn
Let's Rock A While - Amos Milborn
Linger In My Arms a Little Longer - Peggy Lee
Memphis In June
Miss Otis Regrets
My Baby Just Cares - Nina Simone
My Baby's Left Me - Tiny Grimes
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Nervous Man Nervous - Big Jay McNeel
Night Train - Alvino Ray
No More Love - Buddy Johnson
Oh Babe - Wynonnie Harris
One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie
One Scotch One Bourban One Beer - Amos Milborn
One Sweet Letter - Joe Liggins
Oo Pappa Do
Ooh What You Said
Pachuko Hop
Pink Champagne
Put The Blame On Mame
Put Your Arms Around Me Baby
Rag Mop - Treniers
Razzle Dazzle - Ella Mae Morse
Ride The Rocket - Rhythm Rockets' original
Rock That Boogie - Joe Houston
Rocket 69
Rocket to the Moon - Colin James
Rockin Good Way - Dinah Washington/Brook Benton
Roll Baby Roll- Floyd Dixon
Roomin' House Blues - Amos Milburn
Sack of Woe
Salt Pork West Virginia - Louis Jordan
San Fernando Valley
Satisfy My Soul - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Save The Bones for Henry Jones
Send For Me - Nat King Cole
Sentimental Journey - Ruth Brown
Since I Fell For You - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Sister Sadie
Small Fry
So Long - Indigo Swing
Spiderman
Stompin' at the Savoy
Stormy Weather
Sunnyside of the Street
Teach Me Tonight - Dinah Washington
Tell Me What's the Reason
Tenor Madness
That's All - Etta James
The Man That Got Away - Dinah Washington
Them There Eyes
There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens - Louis Jordan
They Can't Take That Away
Til' My Baby Comes Back - Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Tina's Cantina - Big Al Sears
Trouble in Mind - Dinah Washington
Turn The Lights Down Low
Uh Oh - Treniers
Waitin & Drinkin - Calvin Bose
Walkin Blues - Fluffy Hunter
WB Hop
What's the Matter With You
Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me? - Bull Moose Jackson
Wild Wild Young Men - Ruth Brown
Wild Women Don't Have The Blues
You Better Duck - Dinah Washington
You Better Let Her
You Got What It takes - Dinah Washington/Brook Benton
| Nicole Kestler | Vocalist |
| Mark Fornek | drummer |
| Michael Bielecki | tenor sax |
| Lou Marini | Bassist |
| Justin Keirans | Baritone Sax |
| Vince Salerno | Tenor Sax |
| Dave Downer | Guitar |
Dinah Washington, Mabel Scott, Nina Simone, Big Maybelle Smith, Louis Jordan, Amos Milborn, Lavay Smith, Louis Prima, Ella Mae Morse, Ruth Brown, Etta James, Buddy Johnson
16 X 20 stage area preferred
We can provide our own sound system
Minimum of 12 channel inputs, 2 monitor channels, 4 vocal mics with stands
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