Dirty River Jazz Band

The Dirty River Jazz Band is the new standard for traditional jazz in Texas, blending the sounds of 1920's New Orleans, the swing era, and Texas tradition all into one! They have been performing as a group since 2013 and have gone on to play for audiences all over the United States, spreading their love for early jazz and blues to people of all ages. In their early years, they were mentored by the late Jim Cullum, whose sound and style heavily influenced the band along with many other early jazz musicians including the great Louis Armstrong. Dirty River has many different configurations of the band, including their quartet, the main seven-piece band, and even a fourteen-piece jazz orchestra! All of these groups are under the direction of drummer, vocalist, and founder Chris Alvarado. Other notable members include Curtis Calderon, known for his fifteen-year tenure with The Four Freshman, and Faith Evangeline, a young, up and coming jazz vocalist! The band works closely with schools all over Texas in an educational capacity as well as nonprofits like the SA Swing Dance Society to help keep the connection of live jazz and swing dancing alive! Photo by Brandon Fletcher Photography.