October 1, 2009
For more information:
Derek Landel
201-218-3553
Interstate Soul: Fifty Weddings in Fifty States!
New York City, NY – This weekend in Lincoln, Vermont, NYC-based soul ensemble The Duke Baxter kicks off their mission to play a wedding in every state.
Since 2000, The Duke Baxter Band has played weddings, proms, parties and corporate events all over the East Coast. The band boasts a repertoire of more than 100 songs from artists like The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Otis Redding and Beyoncé. In 2005, the band appeared in an episode of the Discovery Channel’s “The Party Planner With David Tutera,” and during a wedding in Massachusetts in 2007, enjoyed an impromptu jam session with several cast members of MTV’s “How’s Your News?”. Wherever they play, The Duke Baxter Band tries to create a unique and exciting experience for everyone.
The Interstate Soul project grew out of an email exchange regarding upcoming gigs in several states. When a band member made a quip about a “national tour,” the rest of the band ran with the idea, and began making plans to play a wedding in every state. They agreed that this would be not only a great adventure, but a wonderful way to celebrate romantic love and experience the vast social and cultural differences that weddings can offer.
The Duke Baxter Band plans to publish a book and produce a documentary film based on their experiences. Currently, the public can find a blog about the band’s experiences as well as a state index, video clips and information on how to hire the band at www.interstatesoul.com and www.dukebaxterband.com.
The Duke Baxter Band:
Darren Buck, lead singer
Derek Landel, drums
Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen, trombone & vocals
Ethan Herr, keyboards
Fredi Meli, bass
Jason Wiseman, trumpet
Kevin Danenberg, tenor saxophone
Matt Schwartzer, guitar & vocals
