“I am the Chair of the Convention Committee for the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors (IAJRC). We hold our annual conventions in North America and Europe. In September 2013 we held our convention in Kansas City, MO. Part of my job on the Convention Committee is to find live music to follow our Saturday night gala dinner and awards. As this is the highlight of our 3-day gathering, we have to find bands that will be appreciated by our extremely knowledgeable members, many of whom are either authors of jazz books and discographies or involved in record production etc. The Vine Street Rumble big band were selected to play for our organization in Kansas City and I can honestly say that in the forty years that I have enjoyed listening to jazz, this band was one of the finest big bands that I have ever heard, a view shared by everyone in attendance that night.
If you want a big band that plays authentic jazz from the late twenties to the forties, I can think of no better group of musicians than the Vine Street Rumble.”
Ian Tiele
IAJRC Convention Chair & Editor of the IAJRC Journal (www.iajrc.org)
President of the Brookfield Jazz Society (www.brookfieldjazz.org)
“Vine Street Rumble is one of the swingingest outfits that I have heard in a long time! They are doing a wonderful thing by keeping alive the spirit of the great Kansas City bands of the past like Count Basie’s Orchestra, Bennie Moten’s Orchestra, and even the more obscure bands like the one led by reed man Harlan Leonard.”
Vincent Pelote
Head of Technical Services/Sound Archivist,
Institute of Jazz Studies - Rutgers University
“To meet the Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra in KC was a wonderful visit to the past, … and hopefully to the future…if the city wants to have people coming to visit…what is the city known for all over the world?...Jazz of course!...Let those who know the past lead the way to the future!”
Jan Evensmo
Jazz Author/Historian
Oslo, Norway
jazzarcheology.com
“You, gentlemen, happen to be one of the best kept secrets in the world!”
Georges E. Daverat
IAJRC
Tilh, France
“The Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra played Shawnee Town 1929 Museum for our "Jammin' On The Green" concert series and blew the audience away with one stunning song after another. The band played selections which pay homage to Kansas City history, but I'm sure can also custom tailor what the hiring venue wants. Director Kent Rausch's command of the history surrounding the songs is captivating, and he successfully weaved the stories of 1920's and 30's Kansas City with an amazingly tight band. Everyone was a star player, and the audience loved it. We can't wait to have them back next time.”
Charlie Pautler
Director - Shawnee Town 1929 Museum
Shawnee Kansas
“We had Kansas City's VINE STREET RUMBLE Jazz Orchestra play for our 2013 Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Gala and they were phenomenal! It was one of our most exciting Gala's in years and much of it was due to the fact that the Vine Street Rumble did an amazing job and kept the party alive and fun! You guys have so much true talent and charisma! We received great feedback from our guests. We hope to have you back at the museum for future events!”
Betty Kindler
Special Events Coordinator
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
“I am the Lead Pastor of The 'Historic' Centennial United Methodist Church. Our church building is located in the "Historic" 18th & Vine Jazz District next to the Mutual Musician's Foundation. Twice a year we offer "Jazz in the Sanctuary" concerts, free of charge to the public, and April 5, 2014 we were blessed to host Kansas City's Vine Street Rumble Big Band. For two fantastic hours this group of wonderful musicians took us on a trip down memory lane playing the music many of us grew up listening to in that area. The addition of Lonnie McFadden as a featured vocalist, coupled with the presence of a relative of the late great Bennie Moten, made the experience that much more special. However, what made this event unforgettable was the history lesson provided by Mr. Kent Rausch. His explanation of what was happening musically and socially, during this time, brought the performance to life and led to a time of finger-snapping, hand-clapping, laughter and even dancing! This is the best big band I have heard in Kansas City and would go hear them anywhere in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
If you have the opportunity to book this band, please don't hesitate...because the Vine Street Rumble is just that good!”
Pastor David A. Gilmore
“Vine Street Rumble kept our guests tapping their toes and dancing in the aisles. So happy for you to perform for the Knotty Rug Company’s open house, and can’t wait to do it again.”
Darrel Wingo
Owner
Knotty Rug. Company
“Vine Street Rumble turned our client event into an EXPERIENCE. Their unmatched musical talent and integration of storytelling captivated our audience the entire performance. VSR brought the history of Kansas City swing Jazz to life, and helped make our client event a memorable one.”
Rich Lundstrom,
President of Freedom Peak Financial, Inc.
Overland Park, KS