Rhythmtown Jive

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Born: June 1, 1991    Primary Instrument:

RHYTHMTOWN-JIVE is an exciting American roots combo featuring accomplished San Francisco Bay Area musicians recognized nationally for their versatility and outstanding skill. With rich vocal harmonies and tasty saxophone-based instrumentals, they offer infectious dance music, delivering inventive, original '40s and '50s influenced rhythm & blues, jazz, zydeco, jump-swing, roots rock and New Orleans gems. They have a deep sense of the feel and mechanics of the essential grooves of these American roots styles. As a back-up group they are in demand and recognized as journeymen in their field, having worked with, among others: Bo Diddley, Big Joe Turner, Johnnie Johnson, Earl King, Robert Ward, Long John Hunter and New Orleans rock & roll sax innovator Lee Allen. They were the featured house band at the 15th annual Sacramento Blues Festival. The RJs are fronted by Tim Eschliman (founding member of the Christmas Jug Band), vocalist and bassist, who was formerly with Etta James, Commander Cody, and the Moonlighters, whose “Rush Hour” release was produced by Nick Lowe.

As individuals their credentials also include engagements performing with (not opening for): Dr. John, La Vern Baker, Queen Ida, Rockin Sydney, Al Rapone, Ernie K-Doe, Gary U. S. Bonds, Herb Hardesty, Otis Clay, Allen Tousaint, Richard Berry, Leo Nocentelli, Syl Johnson, Big Jay McNeely, Jesse Colin Young, Boz Scaggs, Amos Garrett, Don & Dewey, the Temptations, Elvin Bishop, the Coasters, T-Bone Walker, Roy Rogers, Joe “Louis” Walker, The Coasters, Little Anthony, Mary Wells, and The Drifters. Newest member of the band, Susie Davis on vocals and occasional piano & accordion hails from Sheila E, Pat Benetar, and The Mick Jagger Band.

Following a fascination with the era of transition from '40s & '50s rhythm & blues to rock & roll, Rhythmtown-Jive is the Bay Area's leading proponent of American roots dance music, featuring driving and syncopated counter-rhythms the feet cannot deny. The “RJ”s, Formerly Five Guys Named Mo, have a refreshing repertoire which goes beyond the typical rehashed “top 40” music of yesterday usually associated with R&B dance bands. In addition to their original numbers, the members of the group draw from a well of obscure and unusual post-world war II saturday night rave-ups and moody relief numbers that offer something different for the dance-inclined public: Louis Jordan & his Tympani Five, Big Joe Turner, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Big Jay McNeely, Clyde McPhatter, Freddie King, Lee Allen, Clifton Chenier, Maceo Parker, Jimmy Reed, Louis Armstrong, Huey “Piano” Smith & the Clowns, Roy Brown, Thurston Harris, Ray Charles, the Meters, Smiley Lewis, Paul Gayten, King Curtis, Sonny Thompson, James “Wee” Willie Wayne, Ella Mae Morse, Lil Millet, Will Bradley, Ray McKinley & Bill Doggett.

Last Updated: February 15, 2009
”...they kept the house jumping with surging waves of hot New Orleans, Chicago, and Texas rhythms.”
--Derk Richardson (Bay Guardian)

“A huge breath of fresh air. Very different and original. Great vocals & instrumentation.”
-- Phil Caudill, KOCV-FM, Midland, TX

“(One of) THE TOP 12 INDEPENDENT BANDS IN THE U.S... bouncing with piano licks, sax solos and a foot-stomping rhythm section.... the drum work is nothing short of a piece of art! The control, the rhythmic variations, it's all there... this is pure mood music, baby... very talented musicians with a true sense of the music they play. Their songwriting fits their individual sound and they seem to mesh together so seamlessly. They are truly legends in the making.”
--Independent Songwriter

Analog Travelog
Globe Records
1994
Tracks: State of Mind; Go West; Jump Start Funk; Rich Woman; Magnatone; Hurry Babe; You Better Believe It; Have You Heard; The Sweeper; If You Believe (In What You Do); New Groove Unit; Let The Boogie Woogie Roll.
Personnel: Tim Eschliman: vocals, bass, Rob Sudduth: tenor sax, Jimmy Sanchez: drums, Steve Lucky: piano, Caroline Dahl: piano, Stevie Gurr: guitar, Ed Early: trombone, Kevin Zuffi: piano, Caroline Dahl: piano, Michael Peloquin: tenor & bari sax, Anthony Paule: guitar. Special guests: Austin de Lone: organ, Billie Lee Lewis: drums, Ziggy Modeliste: drums.

Retrogroove Artifact
Globe Records
1992
Tracks: Down at the Edge of Town; Went To the City; Motorfy; Boppin' At The Hop; Everywhere Honey Goes, Money Goes; Big Daddy; All Tore Up; The Things You Do; Johnny Nocturne; Jump, Jive & Wail.
Personnel: Tim Eschliman: vocals, bass, John Firmin: tenor sax, clarinet, Kevin Zuffi: vocals, piano, Jimmy Sanchez: drums, Jerry Cortez: guitar. Special guests Bill Campbell: guitar, Danny Caron: guitar, Lee Allen: tenor sax, Johnnie Johnson: piano, Danny Bittker: steel drums.

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Featured recording “On The Main Stem”
On The Main Stem
Globe Records (1998)

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