Opening JD & Mob

James Doolin and the Mob

is an eleven piece band comprising of a lead male singer, three piece horn section, three girl singers and a four piece rhythm section. James the lead singer has fronted and run his own bands in Toronto (Canada) for many years. He moved from Toronto with his wife Patti to the town of Port Colborne, but now unable to use his Toronto musicians contact list to form his band. Nor did James know any local bars that hired live bands. A few years went by while James settled in his new home and got used to the area. Generally not involved with bands at all. The move was around 1996. James plays tenor and baritone sax so around 2001 he started going to jam sessions and looking around for some contacts. Along the way he meet Hans another tenor sax player. The two became friends and ended up starting the band. They ran the band together for over a year, Then Hans and James separated with James continuing the band on his own. Hans having plans to start his own band with members of his family.

The Band

has been playing since the split on a regular basis for around three and a half years. The core band has still the same members, naturally members do change, but most are still able to play as substitute players. They are usually quite happy to fill in, whenever band members get sick or take time off for holidays. The band has built up a following and a reputation as a solid band. The biggest problem facing the band, is of course it's size. The logistics of moving a band of this size any great distance can be daunting. So they tend to play mostly in the Niagara region, anything from Bar's, to special events. This year they are playing several Weddings, it a first for the band, as they never thought of themselves as a Wedding band.

Another Thing

that has been added to the band, was the advent of the stage. The band found when asked to play special events quite often there was no stage, risers, or platforms for the band. So a four tier stage was acquired the overall size is twenty feet by twenty feet. With four different levels, it is quite portable and a quick set-up. Makes the whole event a lot better for the viewing audience, naturally the band have there own sound system, lights etc. The stage gives the band enough room, and also sets limits for the area the band requires.