Old Fish Jazz Band - St. James' Infirmary

Old Fish Jazz Band play live in Baume Les Messieurs
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ABOUT THE BAND
The Old Fish Jazz Band emerged in 2009 in Berlin, created by a small circle of musicians from across Europe who shared a deep affection for the early sounds of jazz. Their music is steeped in the character of the 1920s and 1930s — that era when New Orleans street bands, smoky dance halls, and small, energetic ensembles shaped what the world would eventually call “jazz.” The band draws on the spirit of Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, Sidney Bechet’s rich vibrato, King Oliver’s earthy brass, and the raw, joyful pulse of classic early jazz.

What sets Old Fish Jazz Band apart is their devotion to the “old-time” feel of the music. They play it the way it once lived: loose, spirited, and a little rough around the edges — the way jazz sounded before it was polished and perfected in studios. Their lineup of trumpet, clarinet, trombone, banjo, piano or accordion, and bass or sousaphone gives the group a warm, nostalgic sound, and their arrangements capture the lively swing and good-natured stomp of the era. It’s the kind of music that invites people to dance, especially lovers of Lindy Hop or Charleston, but it also works beautifully as a soundtrack to quiet moments, travel, and reflection.

Their recordings — including albums like Tries Again and Here Comes the Garbage, Man — showcase this dedication to early jazz. Listening to Old Fish Jazz Band feels like stepping into another time: a world of lighthearted rhythm, street-corner melodies, and the soft glow of a bygone era.

Part of their charm comes from their international makeup. Each musician brings their own background, influences, and musical sensibilities, yet they meet in a shared appreciation for this old, vibrant language of sound. In that way, the band feels both rooted and modern — a group of friends rediscovering something timeless.

For anyone who creates, travels, or tells stories through images and sound, their work offers a reminder of how music can evoke a sense of place. The Old Fish Jazz Band shows how atmosphere, texture, and emotion can be carried not only by melody, but by the history and humanity inside each note.