Artist Information
Biography
Since forming in 2006, George Whitesell & His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins have been in high demand at Jazz Festivals, Blues Festivals and Summer concerts in the many beautiful parks throughout Colorado. Their high energy show usually ends with a standing ovation wherever they perform. Highlights have been; opening for the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in Beaver Creek, the Inaugural Ball for President Obama at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Glenn Miller Ballroom, Trinidaddio Blues Festival, Greeley Blues Fest, Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Blues Under the Bridge and many, many more.
Please spend a few minutes reading the "Press" section to see what others have to say, listen to our music and watch a video. Thank you.
All of our past performances are listed in the calendar section.
Instrumentation
• George Whitesell, Vocal, Guitar and Alto sax
• Jill Watkins, Vocals, Trumpet
• Brad Eastin, Tenor sax soprano sax and arranger )
• Marty Sarlette, Tenor sax
• Chris Wojtecki, Bari sax
• Skip Moore, Keyboards, Vocals
• Santi Guarnera, Bass
• Dave Deason, Drums, Vocals
Discography
Skat
Circle 504 Records
July 2007
Links
Audio
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THE CHICKEN AND THE HAWK----From the great songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller, this song was an R&B hit for the great Big Joe Tuner. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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TELL MAMA----Everyone knows this gem from the early 60's! The ALL STARS lay down a solid groove that lets Jill Watkins belt it out in her own powerful way! From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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HIDE AND SEEK----Let's swing! A great beat, humorous lyrics and a fantastic sax solo by Kenny Johnston. Dig it! From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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BABY----Bob Margolin shines on this Little Richard tune! R&B at its finest with George singing his heart out. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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FEVER----Jill's sultry voice is perfect for this favorite and is a crowd pleaser at shows. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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I WONDER IN WHOSE ARMS----A rocking number featuring great solos by John Stilwagen on piano and Kenny Johnston on tenor, makes this tune a show stopper whenever the band performs. From the CD"Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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FANNIE MAE----A great R&B song from the late 50's with an infectious groove. Guest artist Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, who spent many years as guitarist with Blues legend Muddy Waters, makes this tune shine and gives it a whole new feel! From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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OKE-SHE-MOKE-SHE-POP----Another Big Joe Turner classic that just smolders! Chris Wojtecki gets a chance to strut his stuff on the Bari Sax. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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WHY DON'T YOU DO RIGHT?----Jill Watkins shows her powerful delivery once again as she makes this song her own. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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I'M TORE DOWN----Our record producer, Ken Saydak was kind enough to lend his talents on the piano to this up-tempo blues number. Jill Watkins once again demonstrates her distinctive vocal style. From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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SKAT----The title song of our brand new release on Circle 504 Records. This tune lets the band jam a little with a jazzy feel.
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I WANT TO KNOW----Jill ang George join together for this duet. A R&B hit for Sugar Pie DESanto in 1959, this song is given a whole new approach with Bob Margolin on slide guitar. You can tell Bob spent many years with Muddy Waters and was paying attention while Muddy played. A fine tenor solo by Brad Eastin puts the icing on the cake for this one! From the CD "Skat" on Circle 504 Records.
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STEAMROLLER BLUES----Recorded "LIVE" on June 5, 2006
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EARLY IN THE MORNING----Recorded "LIVE" on June 5, 2006
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KIDNEY STEW----Recorded "LIVE" June 5, 2006
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Photo Gallery
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All together for the first time! June 5, 2006
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Our CD--SKAT, on Circle 504 Records. Released July 11, 2007
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Jill Watkins
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National recording artist, good friend and our producer, Ken Saydak sits in!
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Santi Guarnera
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Jill and George have fun with a duet
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The All Star Horns-Chris, Brad and Marty
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At the Trinidaddio Blues Fest X, Aug 23, 2008
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George, riding the groove!
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Showtime at the Castaways 2-13-2010
Download print quality (high-res) version
Press
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A Fantastic Show - 5-8-10
[+ Show ]
"I would like to thank you once again for putting on a fantastic show at our 17th Annual Junior Achi...
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LIVE REVIEW: Whitesell turns Castaways into All Stars party
[+ Show ]
George Whitesell & His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins, Castaways, 2/13/2010 Those “of a certain...
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"Rocked the House"
[+ Show ]
As always, George Whitesell and his All Stars, featuring Jill Watkins, once again proved why they ar...
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Review of Valentine's show - 2009
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Although jazz is again on the decline in the Pikes Peak region, if one looks around, there is jazz t...
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Estes Park Jazz Festival is Top Notch
[+ Show ]
Estes Park Jazz Fest is Top Notch Max Wagner has once again proved to be a great producer in putt...
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Five Star Review!
[+ Show ]
George Whitesell has been a mainstay on the Colorado Blues scene for quite some time. His dedication...
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The reviews are still coming in
[+ Show ]
Colorado’s George Whitesell & His All Stars Featuring Jill Watkins turn a jump blues configuration t...
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Another Great Review
[+ Show ]
George Whitesell & His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins: Skat (Circle 504 Records, 2007). Get re...
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SKAT
[+ Show ]
SKAT George Whitesell & His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins (Circle 504 Records) By Dan De...
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George Whitesell & His All Stars by Dan Demuth
[+ Show ]
There was a time in this country following WWII when people sought out danceable live entertainment ...
Setlist
A TYPICAL SHOW MIGHT INCLUDE:
Early In The Morning----Ray Charles
Night Time Is The Right Time----Ray Charles
Topsy----Royal Crown Revue
Tell Mama----Etta James
At Last----Etta James
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag----James Brown
Boogie Woogie Country Girl----Big Joe Turner
The Chicken and The Hawk----Big Joe Turner
Hide and Seek----Big Joe Turner
Oke-She-Moke-She-Pop----Big Joe Turner
Walkin' Blues----Royal Crown Revue
Steamroller Blues----James Taylor
Willie And The Hand Jive----Johnny Otis
Got My Mojo Workin----Muddy Waters
Funny, How Time Slips Away-----Eddie Hinton
Dr. Feelgood----Aretha Franklin
I Wonder In Whose Arms----Chas and Dave
Fanny Mae----Buster Brown
Send Me Some Lovin'----Little Richard
Miss Ann----Little Richard
Baby----Little Richard
Fever----Little Willie John
I Want To Know----Sugar Pie DeSanto
Why Don't You Do Right----LaVern Baker
Kidney Stew----Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Hold It Right There----Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Runnin' Blue----Boz Scaggs
Madison Time----Ray Noble
Skat----Canned Heat
Night Train----James Brown
Tore Down----Freddie King
Do I Move You---Nina Simone
Jump Children---Vicky Tafoya
Ain't Got No Home---Clerence "Frogman" Henry
You Never Can Tell---Chuck Berry
Our show typically consists of two, seventy five minute sets with an encore. However, we can adjust the length of the sets to meet the client's needs. For example, a festival show might be as short as thirty minutes or as long as ninety minutes.

