The Jive Kings

It's no surprise that the Jive Kings have won consecutive ECMA Awards for jazz in 2000 and 2001. They were at the centre of an intense buzz at last year's ECMA weekend in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This year in Charlottetown they appeared on the nationally televised award show as well as the Atlantic Airwaves live CBC radio broadcast. Put simply, the Jive Kings are redefining what a jazz concert can be for many Maritimers. Since their first gig in March of 1999 this lively eight piece group from PEI has continually wowed audiences and critics with their infectious brand of swing, big band and Latin styles. It's not just that their debut album "Spoon for Knife" received glowing reviews, it's that the band is quickly gaining a reputation for energetic and eclectic live performances. With the release of their second CD, "the Jive Kings with Measha Brüggergosman", they have collaborated with another of the East Coast's hottest musical commodities. This CD includes eight originals by Jive Kings members, five jazz standards featuring Measha, and a Tom Waits cover (Telephone Call from Istanbul).