By NICOLE VALICEK
A SIX piece outfit that takes its name from an old jug-band song and plays the toe-tapping good time music of the 1920s and ’30s is coming to Newport.
The quirky band Mysterious Mose have taken blues, jazz, hokum and swing and combined the jug band instrumentals of strings, washboard, kazoos and vocals to create their unique and colourful sound.
Band member Gail Horsley on vocals, washboard and ukulele described the music as “quirky and infectious”.
“The home-made instruments have such an appealing, humorous look on stage, and such a homey unique sound that you can’t help but smile,” Ms Horsley said.
The band performs 1920s, ’30s and ’40s fare along with hokum, early jazz, blues and popular music of the era with the performance heightened by their funky costumes and high spirits.
“Jug band music is not ’fine’ music, but it is enormous fun,” Ms Horsley said.
Ms Horsley said she and a fellow member decided to organise a band in 2009 with its first goal to perform at the first Ukulele Festival in Feb 2010; they had nine months to get a two hour set together.
By September 2010 Mysterious Mose had produce their first CD.
The band has performed at festivals all over Victoria and is currently getting airplay in the States.
Mysterious Mose will play at the Newport Bowls Club on Friday 17 May. Entry $12
If you would like to have a go yourself, Gail will be running a jug workshop on 18 May at the Newport Scout Hall with the help of the band.
