loomingTalent Entertainment

Bloomington's Entertainment Resource

(812)340-7773

bloomingtalent@gmail.com

The centerpieces of our roster, our highly talented bands come in many shapes, sizes and flavors! Scroll down to get a taste of our offerings.

Please note, this site is still under construction! If you need more info about a band listed here, or if you don't see what you want, please call us at (812)340-7773.

For a rough pricing guide, click here.

Fronted by the charismatic Ms. Jen on vocals and phenomenal guitarist Mr. Brown, the Hatbacks will rock your socks off with dead on versions of all your favorite classic rock tunes, from the 60s through today's hits. Jen and Brown share the vocal duties, giving the band the flexibility to cover Alanis through Weezer. Backed by a solid rhythm section, and armed with musical educations that most bands only dream of, this talented guitar-vocals-bass-drums quartet will make sure your evening is a rockin' good time!

The Woomblies were formed in the fall of 2001 in Indianapolis. Founders Phil Pierle and Paul Holdman joined forces to create a group that explored the classic sounds of motown and soul. After acquiring Jamey Reid and Brant Milholland for the rhythm section, the band took off on it’s journey into unexplored music.

In the coming months, it was evident that the group was able to do something that local groups had not done before - perform a wide variety of musical styles with integrity and finesse. The group chose cover tunes not covered by other local groups, thus drawing a fan base tired of the same old music.

Today the Woomblies are a group known for their tight, impressive musicianship and vocal strength. A wide variety of music has crowds dancing to Prince, AC/DC, Johnny Cash and just about everything in between. The group’s lineup has remained unchanged since the early days, and continues to strengthen their popularity and appeal to fans of all ages.

Favorites on the Bloomington club scene, the guys in Doppelganger has been refining their act for the past few years and have a developed a stunning list of all the sings you like! Plus, they're always willing to learn more, so ask them nicely and perhaps they'll be able to take your requests just for your event.

If foot stompin' New Orleans R&B, Zydeco, blues, jazz, and swing are your thing, you need Craig and the Crawdads! This Indiana favorite has been called 'fine and funky' by Living Blues Magazine and are sure to put a smile on your face with their renditions of New Orleans classics, great R&B tunes, soulful jazz, and just about anything else that seriously grooves.

In addition to performing locally, Craig performs regularly in New Orleans at the Jazz National Park, usually during the world famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  He performed there most recently in April of 2009.

Craig and the Crawdads can break down into solo piano, or trio (piano + fiddle + vocals/percussion).

Fronted by steel drummer Tom Berich, PanUSA brings the sounds of the Islands right back home to Indiana! Perfect for a summertime pool party, wintertime 'wishful thinking' Hawaiian luau, or just for something different.

Solo, Duo, Trio, or full band, PanUSA is one of the more well rounded steel band organizations you'll come across. The group can do wedding ceremonies and receptions, libraries, educational programs for schools, country clubs, hire out musicians for recording projects, and even arrange steel band music for established bands. Over 15 years experience performing, and 10 years production work (including Nickelodeon, Sprint, PBS and more!)

Not just the island favorites...PanUSA performs pop tunes, doo-wop, jazz standards, and they take requests. As a rule, PanUSA does not use backing tracks. Only live musicians for that authentic island feel!

Not one, not two- three singers give Sarah's Swing Set the sound that this popular act is known for! Janiece Jaffe, Sarah Flint, and Robert Stright all provide the harmonies and a stellar rhythm section lays down the groove. This act's repertoire spans decades and genres, from the 1940s big band sounds of Sinatra and Vaughn to the classic folk and rock vibe of Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones.

In addition to pleasing audiences in the United States and Europe with the alternately witty and insightful songs featured on his 5 solo CDs Lost In Your Hometown, Behind The Midway, King For A Day, Live and Otherwise Volume 1, and Lazy Afternoon, Jason Wilber has played lead guitar for notable folk, rock, and country artists John Prine, Hal Ketchum, Greg Brown, Iris DeMent, Todd Snider, Greg Trooper, Carrie Newcomer, and Tim Grimm.

Highlights of Jason’s work with John Prine include two Grammy nominated albums: Live On Tour and In Spite of Ourselves (which spent 32 weeks on the Billboard Country Charts) and the 2006 Grammy Award winning album Fair & Square.

Jason Wilber’s TV and radio appearances include Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Sessions At West 54th Street, Austin City Limits, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, CNN’s Entertainment Week, The Road, Mountain Stage, E-Town, and The Grand Ole Opry.

Jason Wilber is wonderful solo or with his band:
Jason Wilber - Guitar and Vocals
David Jacques - Bass
Paul Griffith - Drums
Kevin McKendree - Piano

The Offramp Quartet is BloomingTalent's premier jazz act! This talented sax-vibraphone-bass-drums quartet is as versatile as can be, and can provide quiet standards for dinner, high energy swing for dancing, or just great modern jazz for your listening pleasure. What's more, vibraphonist Bob Stright is also a vocalist- so if vocal jazz is your thing, this group will make you happy! All four members of the Offramp Quartet are conservatory trained musicians, so you know you're getting the cream of the crop with these guys.

The Offramp Quartet can break down into solo (vibes), duo (vibes + bass or sax) trio (vibes or sax + bass + drums), or any combination of the above.

Bassist Ron Kadish teams up with either a guitarist, pianist, or vibraphonist- your choice- to provide relaxing standards for dinner or cocktails. Or throw a drummer into the mix for an even more swingin' affair! Ron holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from IU's Jacobs School of Music, so you're getting the very best the local jazz scene has to offer!

"The Prof" Jeff Isaac leads one of Bloomington's most popular jazz acts, the Post Modern Jazz Quartet (PMJQ). The PMJQ was the house band at the former tutto bene wine cafe for four years and has become known as a class act that's hard to follow.

The PMJQ is a 'horn band' with saxophone and trombone backed up by piano, bass, and drums. For an even fuller sound, trumpet can be added. The PMJQ also teams up with several talented singers in the area for your favorites in vocal jazz.

Whether it's selections from the Miles Davis songbook, arrangements from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, backing up a singer with Hoagie Carmichael selections, or simply swingin' through a blues, the PMJQ is sure to leave 'em tapping their toes!

 Jazz is the greatest music in the world, and The Stardusters Jazz Orchestra honors that legacy by recreating the swinging jazz sounds of the Big Band era, including classic compositions spanning a century and made famous by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, to name a few.

The band's repertoire ranges from jumping jive standards like "One O'Clock Jump" and "In the Mood" to slow and sweet ballads like "Summertime" and "Fly Me to the Moon." They also perform a wide variety of 1950's music right up through today's standards - introducing and attracting countless new fans to the stirring, full-bodied Big Band sound.

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing! The Stardusters Swing Band's hot instrumentals, together with the sultry sounds of their featured vocalist, will have you jumpin' and jivin' like those crazy cats of the '30's and '40's. Tapping a rich assortment of compositions, this band's peformances will thrill you as they recreate the sights and sounds of Big Band's golden age, while also tipping their hats to contemporary artists like Brian Setzer, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Check out the Stardusters Swing Band - the Little Band with the Big Band sound!

The Bloomington / southern Indiana area is well documented as one of the country’s best for the richest variety of quality music. The NOT TOO BAD BLUEGRASS BAND shares this heritage and continues to provide local audiences with quality Bluegrass music.

The NTBBB formed in 1987 playing local venues. Original members included Jeff White, who went on to play with superstars like Alison Krauss and Vince Gill and currently has his own blossoming bluegrass career. Other members of this talented band included songwriter / singer, Bob Lucas, John Mellencamp's fiddler, Lisa Germano and bass player extraordinare, Rick Ferguson. Brian Lappin on banjo and mandolin player Doug Harden are the remaining band alumni.

Throughout the years other talented musicians have gone on to play with other giants in the industry. Jason Wilber has played with Hal Ketchum and currently plays lead guitar with John Prine along with pursuing his own award winning singer / songwriting career. David Steele has played guitar with such stars as Pam Tillis, John Prine, is the current lead guitar player with Steve Earle and Deana Carter. Dave and Jason still sit in with the band when they’re not busy touring.

Multi-talented violinist Deb Shebish began her musical career as a classical violinist; receiving a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance from Indiana State University. She broadened her musical horizons by learning different styles such as Celtic, old-time and jazz fiddle. In 2006, she received a masters degree in Scottish Ethnology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, focusing her thesis on how traditional fiddle is taught in the Orkney Isles, Scotland. 

Deb offers the following for your enjoyment:

Celtic
Fiddle, whistle, tenor banjo, bodhran (Irish drum) and vocals bring your event to life with our Celtic music package.  Solo Highland pipes create a regal atmosphere for grand entrances at ceremonies.  Customize your group to fit the size of your event.  Our groups love requests and can perform your favorite Irish and Scottish songs and tunes. In addition, a dance caller can be added to teach traditional country and ceili dances to even the most inexperienced dancers.      

Americana
Create a down-home, bluegrass feel to your event with our Americana package. Banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, guitar and vocals provide upbeat and lively entertainment for your guests.   Make your ceremony unique with beautiful waltzes and sentimental songs.  Like our Celtic package, a dance caller can be added for your reception or party to guide and include all your guests in traditional barn dances; no experience required!  

The Monks are led by Sam Bartlett, an award-winning banjo and mandolin player from Bloomington, IN. Also well known as a composer of traditionally based tunes, his music has been profiled on NPR's All Things Considered and Salon.com, as well as featured on the Thistle and Shamrock.

The Monks are Indiana's most celebrated old-time string band. They've dazzled audiences in every corner of the US, festivals in St. Croix, and theaters across Ireland. The band has also been a headliner at the prestigious Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Washington State. Drawing from southern as well as Midwestern old-time musical traditions, a Monks performance is  sure to provide red-hot fiddling, elegant three finger banjo picking, and an assortment of soulful and raucous songs. You might even get
an impromptu clogging performance.

Leon Chance and his Long Shots play classic country hits and honky-tonk originals with charismatic swagger, danceable rhythms, and rock-and-roll showmanship. If you like Hank, Waylon, Willie, Buck, and the Possum, you'll fall out of your chair for Leon Chance.

Leon has opened for platinum top-40 country artist Little Texas, toured with alt-country darlings The Handsome Family, and recorded with indie-rock legend and Nirvana producer Steve Albini. He once got a tip on a Derby-winning horse at Churchill Downs from Travis Tritt, and he wears an 8½ boot – the same size as Merle Haggard.

Leon Chance and the Long Shots are currently recording, playing stages, and shaking their stuff live and in person from Louisville to Chicago. They've never met an audience they didn't charm, and they would love to come thrill your house party, honky-tonk, wedding, biker bar, or corporate shindig.

Perhaps you've noticed that Ben is listed in both our Country/Bluegrass and Classical sections. That's because Ben is one of the most versatile violinists on the scene today, and comfortably moves in between genres as easily as changing your shoes! A professional since age 14, Ben has worked under conductors Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Slatkin, shared the stage with Matt Haimovitz, Ray Charles, and The Moody Blues, and has played in a punk band, an Austrian opera orchestra, and on the silver screen.

Ben was recently featured as a soloist with the Lafayette (IN) Symphony, playing Mark O'Connor's "Strings and Threads" and the Orange Blossom Special.

Ben is the leader of the McClelland Bluegrass Band, which features his blazing fiddle style backed by some of the area's best bluegrass musicians. Their specialty is high energy fiddle oriented bluegrass from the traditional sound of Bill Monroe's bands all the way up to the present. Guaranteed to get you out on the dance floor!

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