The Disciples of Dixieland is a red-hot 6-piece jazz band performing traditional tunes in the New Orleans style. Under the direction of Ben Reehl and Ray Wifler, the instrumentation includes clarinet, trumpet, trombone, guitar/banjo, tuba and drums, performing such favorites as Saints, That’s a-Plenty, Fidgety Feet, What a Wonderful World, Up a Lazy River and At the Jazz Band Hall.
The concert is the eighth event of the summer-long Buttermilk Festival, a free, family-oriented music festival that is hosted and produced by the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band. The Disciples of Dixieland is the brain child of two area musicians and old friends, Ray Wifler of Fond du Lac and Ben Reehl of Mayville, who put together their first Dixieland band while music students at UW-Oshkosh in the 1950s. After retirement, they once again joined forces to organize “The Disciples of Dixieland.” The group includes Reehl on trombone and vibes, Wifler on clarinet, Dave Sullivan from Sheboygan on banjo and guitar, Larry Busch from Lancaster on trumpet, Tom Los from Oak Creek on tuba and Jim Scalf from Milwaukee on drums.
Their repertoire includes such Dixie standards as Sweet Georgia Brown, That’s A Plenty, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans and St. Louis Blues, and swing tunes: Honeysuckle Rose and If I Had You. The New Orleans street band style is showcased with tunes like Li’l Lisa Jane, Closer Walk with Thee, and the ever-popular Saints Go Marchin’ In. The instrumental sound is enhanced with vocals by Reehl and Wifler.
A food concession will be available throughout the evening, and a free-will offering will be received to support the Buttermilk Festival. While there is a limited supply of lawn chairs at the park, concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. The program will be moved to the County Fairgrounds Recreation Building in the event of unsuitable weather.
