The Holy Crow Jazz Band In Borrego Springs

Vintage Sounds in Borrego Springs: Holy Crow Jazz Band

The Borrego Springs Community Concert Association recently welcomed the Holy Crow Jazz Band (FREE TO THE PUBLIC) for a remarkable afternoon at the Public Library that transported the audience back to the early 20th century. Known for their genuine renditions of old-time jazz and blues, this Los Angeles-based ensemble captivated the Borrego Springs audience with a performance that was more than just a concert; it was a journey back to the age of speakeasies and the Harlem Renaissance. We will also share an exclusive interview with the band..

The ensemble, comprising some of Southern California's most skilled musicians, masterfully bridged the gap between past and present. Their repertoire mixed beloved classics from jazz legends alongside original pieces, embodying the timeless charm of jazz and blues music.

49th Season Finale Celebration: Borrego Springs Concert Association

Following the concert at the Borrego Springs Public Library, the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association members and guests continued the festivities with a communal gathering at Pablito's for a buffet-style Mexican meal to celebrate the end of their 49th season. This allowed them to mingle with the band in a relaxed setting, further enhancing the community experience.

Borrego Kids Surprised The Band With Kazoos!

The next day...The Holy Crow Jazz Band paid a special visit to Borrego Springs Elementary School, thrilling the students with a vibrant performance. This memorable occasion was made even more extraordinary by the involvement of the children, who had received preparation from a Borrego Concert Association board member and former music teacher in the week leading up to the show. The students were instructed on how to use kazoos and follow prompts during the live rendition.

During the event, the students eagerly joined in with their kazoos as the band played 'When the Saints Go Marching In.' This spontaneous participation caught the band by surprise, evident from the genuine smiles and expressions of joy on their faces. It was a heartwarming moment that underscored the universal allure of music.

The band members also spent time explaining how their instruments work, keeping everyone engaged and learning throughout the visit.

To stay connected with the Holy Crow Jazz Band and not miss their performances, follow their journey through these digital platforms:

• Official Website: Holy Crow Jazz Band
• YouTube: Holy Crow Jazz Band Channel

The Holy Crow Jazz Band is more than just a musical group; they are ambassadors of a rich musical heritage, bringing the vibrancy and spontaneity of early jazz and blues to today's audiences. Their performance in Borrego Springs served as a powerful reminder of music's ability to transcend time and bring diverse people together.

Interview with Jessy Carolina of the Holy Crow Jazz Band

There's a unique charm and energy to the 1900s to 1930s jazz and blues that your band captures beautifully. What do you think is the most compelling aspect of this era's music that still resonates with audiences today?

Jessy: "I think that a lot of music today is just not "organic", and oddly enough, something as simple as "wow this person is actually playing an instrument" draws people's attention. So, that's the first thing, but additionally, the music that's being played is actually FUN! Someone could definitely argue that listening to classical music could be fun, sure. But there's just something about bouncy syncopation coupled with people's creativity and risk that makes jazz - trad jazz- exciting."

Can you share a memorable story from your tours or performances that highlights an unexpected or particularly special moment for the band?

Jessy:  "It's not really possible to answer this with one specific answer because there are so many special moments and nothing really outshines anything else. I think the best things that have happened on the many tours we've done over the years are the long lasting friendships that we have made. And there are way too many people to name here, but just a few are Danny Deutsch, who owns Abilene Bar and Lounge in Rochester, NY.

We played some of our most packed shows at this little divey music venue trudging through several feet of snow with our gear and instruments trying not to slip on slick ice in freezing temperatures. He's been asking to have us go back to New York a few times a year for the last seven or so years, but haven't been able to make it back yet. There's also Fred Champion from Wilmington, NC who owned a DIY movie theater/music venue in a loft next to his tiny apartment. He put Mario and I up for several weeks when our tour van broke down. We painted the ceiling of his theater as a thank you and were treated by the various restaurants in Wilmington to food and drinks while the van was repaired.

You couldn't meet anyone nicer or more caring and sweet than Fred! And of course, there's Steve Webster, owner of the DIY music venue "The Snail Pie Lounge" in Glenville, PA. We recorded one of our shows live there and have been selling out that CD year after year! Steve and the entire Webster family came running to the rescue last year when I was injured during a botched epidural and my lung had collapsed as a result and couldn't work for several months after being hospitalized.

Without hesitation, the Websters sprang into action saving us from a financial hole and debilitating stress during that difficult time. Steve is like your dad. You just love him and everything about him so deeply. His warm smile just radiates, his low boomy voice and laughter envelope you in this great bear hug. He's just so wonderful and generous. One of a kind! 

These are all truly special people who are held so deeply in our hearts and we miss them all terribly now being all the way over here in California. Touring the East Coast and visiting the same places and friends we made over the years was like visiting family. And that will always be special and the best part of touring for us."

Since forming in 2015, how has the Holy Crow Jazz Band evolved in terms of musical style, band composition, or approach to performances?

Jessy:  "Well I started playing music way before 2015. I started with folk/Americana music playing in the NYC subways and open mic nights/showcases around the city. Then due to enormous pressure from venues and friends asking me to do so, I started singing and performing jazz. My first group was "The Bill Murray Experience" which started back in 2008 and we'd do a lot of kitschy songs from Tin Pan Alley busking in Washington Square Park as a string jazz band. We were mentioned on NPR and were on The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special. After that, I made the group, "Jessy Carolina and The Hot Mess" and with this grouping came the horn players. This group was still very centered on vocal performances and relied heavily on them.

That's how I met Mario, I hired him to play clarinet in my band and now we've been married for about 13 years and have three awesome kids. Before we moved from NYC to California, we had just started Holy Crow because we wanted to do more instrumental numbers, change over to tuba, make it a little more authentic 20s/30s, a little dirtier, more fun, more loud. That was working out well. We started playing jazz festivals, getting bigger and better gigs. Some shows we could afford a full seven piece band and it was great and so SO fun! Then the pandemic hit, and the band hasn't recovered yet. Most of the venues we used to play are closed, or can't afford music anymore. So we haven't done very many shows as a full band over the last several years and have mostly been performing as a duo.

We're still hanging in there trying to keep it together while the world around us picks up the pieces. Hopefully the venues will return stronger than ever to bring back music. There's music in all of these smaller aspects of everyday life that people often take for granted like when they hear a band playing during their Sunday brunch. It may not be a gig at Radio City, but all of those little gigs mattered."

Which one of your original compositions gets the crowds most excited?

Jessy:  "We mostly do covers, and it's mostly covers that get the crowds going at shows, although we do perform a sprinkling of our own material at shows, they're not often the ones that cause a ruckus. Those tunes are coming from our other band, Ommie Wise, that you can find on Spotify. We formed it back in 2011 and recorded two albums in Copenhagen, Denmark. We're still pretty popular over there and get a weird amount of radio play. 

Our "hit" songs are

• "Weighed Down" written by Jessy
• "Angel Oak Waltz" written by Mario

With two albums already under your belt, are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're particularly excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek into what's next for Holy Crow Jazz Band?

Jessy: "We are SO overdue for a new album. It's mostly been delayed due to funding issues. That darn pandemic really threw a wrench in the works!

We've been talking about it a lot. Have plans to possibly make it all original material. It's still a work in progress. If we had the money and just wanted to record covers we could bang out a new album by next week! Who knows? Maybe we'll win the lottery? ;)"

For those inspired by your journey and looking to form their own bands, what advice would you give to these aspiring musicians?

Jessy:  "As you can probably tell by my previous answers, being a musician isn't the easiest job! That's not to say there are no rewards in being a musician, but you really have to love it. It takes a lot of risk, and things don't always work out the way you want no matter how hard you work at it or how talented you are. Chances are you're probably not going to be rich or famous. That's not even the point of doing this. Just like with actors, there are tons of actors that work smaller gigs and they're not rich or famous and that's fine, it's normal. The same goes with being a musician.

You can piece together a good and comfortable life doing gigs, but it's going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance. You're going to get shot down a lot, and face a lot of rejection. You're not gonna land every audition. But that's okay. Just work on it and try again and don't let failures get you down, especially when you fail playing jazz. Because you will fail eventually. Everyone does. Playing jazz IS about taking risks. You might not always land well, but you get up and keep pressing on to the end of the song."

Do you have plans to enjoy what Borrego Springs has to offer? Do you have any questions about the area?

Jessy: "Last time we were in Borrego Springs our favorite part was actually playing music for the kids at the elementary school. All the kids made us little drawings, cards, and thank-you notes. It was really the sweetest thing ever and it was so special!

We perform a lot at Disney and Knott's Berry Farm and our favorite part of performing there is the kids. Seeing kids' eyes light up, their smiles, and excitement for the music we're playing pretty much gives you the best feeling in the world- pure happiness! We can't wait to play for the kiddos again! It's gonna be a great time."

Doing research we found a Gofundme campaign for Jessy Carolina. We hope she gets well and has continued success! >>> GOFUNDME: Jessy Carolina cover bills while she recovers

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