Riverboat Ramblers

Riverboat Ramblers led by local musician and entertainer John Banker, with John on  multi-instruments, Joe MacWilliams keyboard, Sherman Kahn reeds, Bob Barta banjo, Sal Raniello drums.

Since 1980, the Riverboat Ramblers have been performing New Orleans jazz, Cajun, calypso, ragtime, zydeco, swing, gospel, and Mardi Gras music all over New England and at jazz festivals.  Things are never dull with John Banker around, with his trombone/tuba/pocket trumpet, washboard & vocals, and outrageous humor. The band is sponsored at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival every year by Bob Johnson.  (Bob owned the Camp Ground in Moodus where TGCTJF moved.)

Sherman Kahn and John Banker

They started with an spirited Found a New Baby.  They take all requests; for Nancy Loader, Banker sang Ain’t Misbehavin, playing tuba, a very low, low tuba.

He says “Every 10 years somebody brings the tuba back.”  He moved to trombone for Benny Goodman’s Lady Be Good, backed by Sherman’s flaming clarinet.

Bob Barta banjo, has his own Sunnyland Jazz Band.  He learned sing-along songs from listening to Mitch Miller records at his grandparents house.  He picked up a banjo later, when challenged by a neighbor, and they formed “The Singing Banjos”.

Bob Barta

Drummer Sal Raniello enhanced the front line with his washboard, using heavy-duty milliner’s thimbles, for a riotous Coney Island Washboard Rondelay.

Drummer Sal Raniello plays washboard

Sal Raniello is one of Connecticut’s finest drummers and plays with many bands.

Sal Raniello

Banker makes up his own words to many songs.

Banker does Elvis song, but uses his own words:
Are You Lonesome Tonight, “Is your back filled with pain?” “Are your joints ….?”

In a Louis Armstrong voice, he does Old Rocking Chair, backed by Barta’s banjo and Sherman’s  smoldering tenor sax.

Autumn Leaves is played with sensitivity by clarinet and trombone;  Down to the Mardi Gras, Iko Iko, sizzling!

Joe MacWilliams

Joe MacWilliams plays melodic, mellow keyboard in the Beatles’ When I Saw Her There.  They haven’t done that tune in fifteen years.  Banker is now on trumpet.

Sheik of Araby, capricious, “with no pants on”, also Roll the Patrol “closer to the curb, ’cause Grandma can’t step that high.”   They begin The Saints with the verse, move to Louis’s lament,  I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You.

They closed with a wildly swinging Mama Don’t ‘low No Music Played ’round Here, where Banker introduces all members of the band.

John Banker is a fine musician, and a natural entertainer with infectious humor.  He has toured with top entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Mel Torme.  He joined the Coast Guard Band, and was appointed Music Director for the Coast Guard Academy.

He is passing his love of music on to the next generation by presenting over 150 youth celebrations and educational concerts annually.  Catch John Banker and Friends every Saturday, 8:30pm, at the Griswold Inn, 36 Main St. Essex CT 06426. (860) 767-1776