Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Jazzy, bluesy, and rock-bottomed, The Moxie Band possesses the unconscious wisdom that only comes from experience, to know what to play, and, just as important, what not to play. Less is more, no attitudes, no histrionics.” - Mr. Rhythm Man
"A cool mix of jazz, blues, and country." - Roger Yeardley
Discography
Demos of The Moxie Band and The Moxie Band Trio have gotten repeated airplay on wnku 89.7 fm, and waif 88.3 fm.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
While their musical paths crossed numerous times during the 80s, Donna Moxness and Jim Lawson officially met in a band in 1990. She was the singer, he the guitarist. After a year or so, they traded the band for a family. For the next decade, Jim, a talented multi-instrumentalist, kept a hand in the local music scene, playing drums in an alt-country band, and string bass in a Renaissance group and a contradance band. In 2003 he returned to guitar, and Donna returned to music and they put together The Moxie Band.
While the basic line-up of the band includes Mike Barrett on bass, Gus Thierry on drums, and Larry Bloomfield on harmonica, Jim and Donna bring together whatever players they need for each gig. They can pare down to a trio, with Mike switching to piano, or add horns for special occasions.
Repertoire is eclectic, including strands of blues, jazz, funk, and country. Originals are written by several songwriters, including local favorite and Cammy-winner Ed Cunningham of the Comet Bluegrass Allstars. Fans have said Donna makes them think of such varied artists as Bette Midler, k.d. lang, Carole King, Janis Joplin, and Patti Page. Jim has been likened to Eric Clapton. Larry has been called a harmonica legend by the local press, and Mike is best known for his 25 years with The Modulators. Studio players and show guests include Jimmy Nolan (trombone) and Steve Hayes (percussion) of The Modulators, Ed Cunningham on fiddle and Jimmy Bays on sax.
Influences include Dinah Washington, The Allman Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Sims, Tower of Power, Chick Corea, Mose Allison, Oscar Peterson, and any harmonica player who's ever recorded anything, as well as some who have not.
Links
