THE JOYMAKERS

A TEXAS-SIZED BAND

Turtle Bay Records

This 10-piece ensemble is rooted in the music of the 1920s and 1930s.  Under the direction of two-time-Grammy-nominated music historian and multi-instrumentalist, Colin Hancock, the band tackles ragtime grooves, early southern blues, and wisps of the country string band traditions. The band is based in Austin, Texas. They call themselves, The Joymakers. True to their name, this music is joyful and energetic.

The band started out as a seven piece ensemble. However, on this recording they have expanded to a ten-piece group. They borrowed their name “The Joymakers” from a popular Texas-based hot jazz band called Jimmie’s Joys (It was headed back in the twenties by James “Jimmy” Joy Maloney).

Young Colin Hancock grew up listening to these early jazz, blues and ragtime records in his father’s collection.  He learned to love the music of Bix Beiderbecke, Sidney Bechet and Louie Armstrong. It soon became his life journey. In addition to The Joymakers, he also leads the Jazz Hounds, who collaborated with popular vocalist Catherine Russell on her 2025 album “Cat & the Hounds.” Like Colin, Catherine loves music from this same era.

The Joymakers open with “Deep Elm Blues” that’s a shuffle tune, a throw-back to the Ragtime days. Composed by Willard Robison, this tune celebrates the African-American Dallas, Texas neighborhood where many fine Texas musicians evolved. They hung out with Willard himself.  This song was originally published by J. W. Jenkins in Kansas City around 1925, and was recorded by the Kansas City Orchestra.

Hancock’s smaller, 7-piece band, called The Jimmy Joy Orchestra, has expanded to a much fuller sound and a richer embodiment of the Ragtime era.  With only three more instruments added, The Joymakers is dedicated to authentic, hot, regional sounds plucked from the stomp rhythms of that historic music. It represents music that was based in Dallas, Texas, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, Texas.

Hancock’s colorful and vibrant arrangements make each tune an example of pure happiness and musical excitement.  With vocalists like Lauryn Gould (who also plays saxophones) and Colin Hancock, who adds his charming vocals to the opening tune, their voices lift the music and capture the lyrical stories of the past. On “Somebody Stole My Gal” Luke Allen is featured on lead vocals, along with a jangling banjo solo by Westen Borghesi.

This album takes us back to dance hall music that was highly influenced by ‘the blues’ and the hot dance productions, like “He’s Tall and Dark and Handsome” that was a popular tune back in 1928, famously performed by Sophie Tucker, whose version has inspired Colin Hancock’s arrangement.

Some of their tunes were even recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, including “Clap Hands! Here Comes Charley!”, a dynamite, up-tempo tune that was also used as a theme song for British pianist Charlie Kunz. I enjoyed the slow, sexy rendition of “Daniel’s Blues” with Allen singing his story about a shifty character who steals unsuspecting women from their men.  It was first recorded in San Antonio, Texas by Fred Gardner and his Texas University Troubadours in 1930.

The Joymakers, under the expert direction of Colin Hancock, turn back the hands of time and document music that filled the dance halls and spun off of victrolas during that 1920 to 1930 era. I bet they will have you tapping your toes and looking for a dance partner.

THE JOYMAKERS BAND: Colin Hancock, cornet/baritone & alto saxophone/mellophone/ kazoo/clarinet mouthpiece/vocals; Shane Dickens, piano; Westen Borghesi, tenor banjo/tenor guitar; Ryan Gould, string bass; Ryan Neubauer, drums; David “Jelly” Jellema, C-melody saxophone/clarinet/cornet; Freddie Mendoza, trombone; Luke Allen, trumpet/vocals; Lauryn Gould, alto, tenor & soprano saxophones/vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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