By: Mackenzie Lambert
On August 20th, Buffalo’s own Skiffle Minstrels will be performing at Party on the
Portico presented by the Buffalo & Erie County Historical
Society. Attendees will get to enjoy live music as well as a cash
bar, appetizers, and free mini-tours of the museum. Prices
for the event are $5 for members and $10 for
non-members. The event will run be it rain or shine. No one under
21 permitted. Tickets are available in advance at the Museum during
open hours. For more information, call (716) 873-9644.
For those unfamiliar with
Skiffle, it is a type of blues jazz that has roots in the early 20th century American South. It featured unorthodox instruments, many
often improvised, like washboards, cigar box fiddles, and musical
saws. It grew to huge popularity in the UK in the pre-rock &
roll years. Everyone from Van Morrison, David Gilmour,
Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Jimmy Page and Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore spent time in a skiffle band, of which there were thousands in that brief period. Even John Lennon was
with his own Skiffle group, the Quarrymen. The biggest name in
UK-brand Skiffle would arguably be Lonnie Donegan, with such hits as
“Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor” and “My Oldman’s A
Dustman.”
Buffalo’s own Skiffle Minstrels are a fun group, providing entertainment and the urge to dance this summer at festivals all over Western New York. Made up of Paul Todaro, Ron Kowaleski, Paul Knoerzer, Maggie Zindle, Gary Meixner and Gus Russo, the Skiffle’s hillbilly swing has gained a steady following. Here’s video of the band presented by our friends over at WBFO 88.7 FM.