RHYTHMTOWN-JIVE is an exciting American roots combo featuring
accomplished San Francisco Bay Area musicians recognized nationally for their
versatility and outstanding skill. With rich vocal harmonies and tasty
saxophone-based instrumentals, they offer infectious dance music, delivering
inventive, original '40s and '50s influenced rhythm & blues, zydeco, jump-swing, rock &
roll and New Orleans gems. They have a deep sense of the feel and mechanics of
the essential grooves of these American roots styles. As a back-up group they
are in demand and recognized as journeymen in their field, having worked
with, among others: Bo Diddley, Big Joe Turner,
Johnnie Johnson, Earl
King, Robert Ward,
Long John Hunter
and New Orleans rock & roll sax
innovator Lee Allen. They were the featured house band at the 15th
annual Sacramento Blues Festival. The RJs are fronted by Tim Eschliman (founding member of the
Christmas Jug Band), vocalist and
bassist, who was formerly with Etta James, Commander Cody,
and the Moonlighters, whose
"Rush Hour" release was produced by Nick Lowe.
As individuals their credentials also include engagements performing with
(not opening
for): Dr. John, La Vern Baker, Queen Ida,
Rockin Sydney, Al Rapone, Ernie K-Doe, Gary U. S. Bonds, Herb Hardesty, Otis Clay, Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys, Frankie Ford,
The Nightcrawlers, Sly & The Family Stone, Allen Tousaint, Richard Berry, Leo Nocentelli, Syl Johnson, Big Jay McNeely, Jesse Colin Young,
Boz Scaggs, Don & Dewey, the Temptations, Elvin Bishop, the Coasters, T-Bone Walker, Roy Rogers, Earl King, John Lee Hooker,
Swing Session, Joe "Louis" Walker, Little Anthony and Mary Wells.
and The Drifters.
Following a fascination with the era of transition from '40s & '50s rhythm &
blues to rock & roll, Rhythmtown-Jive is the Bay Area's leading proponent of
American roots dance music, featuring driving and syncopated counter-rhythms
the feet cannot deny. The "RJ"s, Formerly Five Guys Named Mo, have a refreshing
repertoire which goes beyond the typical rehashed "top 40" music of yesterday
usually associated with R&B dance bands. In addition to their original numbers,
the members of the group draw from a well of obscure and unusual post-world war
II saturday night rave-ups and moody relief numbers that offer something
different for the dance-inclined public: Louis Jordan & his Tympani Five, Big
Joe Turner, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Big Jay McNeely, Clyde McPhatter,
Freddie King, Lee Allen, Clifton Chenier, Maceo Parker, Jimmy Reed, Louis Armstrong, Huey "Piano" Smith & the Clowns, Roy
Brown, Thurston Harris, Ray Charles, the Meters, Smiley Lewis, Paul Gayten,
King Curtis, Sonny Thompson, James "Wee" Willie Wayne, Ella Mae Morse, Lil
Millet, Will Bradley, Ray McKinley & Bill Doggett.
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