Jolly Ox' Big Band

On February 1st, 1974 the final version of the Jolly Ox band led by Rob, Judy, Steve, Dave, Paul & Ricky put together a mammoth 17 piece band for a one time performance as the finale act of the 1974 Sunnyvale High School Hootenanny.

Billed as the "Jolly Ox Review", Ox' Big Band played 5 songs that night. As the Goose recalls: "We really brought down the house. Of course I'm a little biased...(especially after having listened to the tape!). Anyway the audience loved it".

The best part of this monumental volunteer effort was the bringing together of so many of the musically talented friends that 'hung' with the 'Ox' over the years. Just about everyone who played an instrument or sang had a chance to perform with the group. The sound was amazingly full.

Brian Yoshida arranged all the parts for the 'Maple Leaf Horns' and actually hand wrote charts for everyone. He played electric piano and directed the horns during the performance as well. We had horn practice at Tom's house 2 or 3 times before the whole band rehearsed. I think there was only one full rehersal with everyone.

And who could forget the famous ' Oxette Vocal Ensemble'

Dave Traver tracked the orginal live recording on an old Sony 1/4" reel to reel recorder, Rob transferred the tracks to audio CD & Tom ripped them into MP3's (and QuickTime's) for modern consumption.

So here's the beef, courtesy of the Rob Karr collection.........enjoy!

Click here if you'd like to get the free Quicktime player from Apple (Mac or Win)