The Knights of the Blue Fesque Page

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In the finest traditions of Kansas City Swing, we bring you 'The Knights Of The Blue Fesque'. Originally commissioned for a one time fund raising performance for The Camelot Academy Of Performing Arts, these five musicians discovered that a large portion of our society has never been introduced to the many forms of Acoustic Music. The Fesque, as they are affectionately called by their fans, bring Swing, Jazz, Rock, Hawaiian, Latin, Show Tunes, and even some Classical music to their high energy acoustic performances . Given exposure on a KCUR FM Radio show, a KCPT TV Marquee Show, and a performance on KSHB TV's AM Live, this band has shaken up the Acoustic Music scene in the Kansas City area, and has quickly attracted a diverse audience. The members of The Fesque are each multi-instrumentalists, and given the rich variety of musical backgrounds in this band, you are sure to find them an exciting listening experience. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some Acoustic Swing from 'The Knights of the Blue Fesque'. We welcome the opportunity to make you more familiar with our members.

Carl Anderton / Banjo
1993 Kansas State Banjo Champion / 1993 3rd Place National Banjo Champion. Known to our fans as the 'Red Headed Stepchild' of Bluegrass, Carl is the 'Big Band' influence in the Fesque. Citing among his influences Alan Munde and Bela Fleck, Carl is a constant source of obscure material that has proven to be exceptionally suited for our instrumentation. Bands past and present include: Drastic Measures, Haywire, Worlds Of Fun House Band, One for the Road.
Recordings: 'Live Bluegrass from the Heart of America'; three cuts with Haywire, (One Anderton Original), two cuts with Drastic Measures.

Roger Eilts / Guitar
Sporting a BA in Vocal Music from Bethany College. Roger's Classical Music training has exerted a strong influence on the vocal arrangements of The Fesque. Influenced in childhood by his mother, a music teacher, Roger listened nightly to a collection of Sons Of The Pioneers LP's, one of the Eilts' family treasures. Often mistaken as older than his brother, Roger is the correographic inspiration for The Fesque, creating exciting and entertaining movements for the band. Roger recently informed us that our 'on the job accident' rates have increased dramatically. Bands past and present include: Spontaneous Combustion, Prairie Gators, Total Strangers, and Wichita Jones Collective.
Recordings:'Blue Rock', 'Spontane', and 'Where There's Smoke'; with Spontaneous Combustion.
'Live Bluegrass From The Heart Of America'; three cuts with Spontaneous Combustion.
'Mandocranium'; Bruce Graybill with Spontaneous Combustion.

Leo Eilts / Bass
Leo is the Director of special effects for the Fesque. From the 1930s elegant ballroom lighting, to smoke, colors, and Moonlights, Leo is always amazing us with something new for the show. It is not unusual to find the band members wandering thru the crowd performing wireless during the show. An entertainment broker by trade, Leo has stolen only the best of ideas for use in the Fesque, creating a combination of effects not usually employed in Acoustic Music. Bands past and present include: Spontaneous Combustion, Haywire, Prairie Gators, and Total Strangers.
Recordings: 'Bluerock', 'Spontane', and 'Where There's Smoke'; with Spontaneous Combustion. 'Live Bluegrass From The Heart Of America'; three cuts with Spontaneous Combustion, three cuts with Haywire. 'Mandocranium'; Bruce Graybill with Spontaneous Combustion.

Jeff Elsloo / Dobro
Quick of wit and svelte of figure, Jeff is the founding father of The Knights of the Blue Fesque. Listening to Bluegrass and early Jazz music for most of his life, he started playing Banjo in 1970, and quit in 1989 when he got tired of carrying 17 extra pounds to bed, (Banjos are very heavy). Listening to more Hawaiian and Jazz than most Dobro players, he cites among his influences Sol Hoopii, Leon McAuliffe, Mike Auldridge, and Bob Brozman. Jeff hopes to carry the Dobro to musical domination, as well as be an emissary for world peace. Bands past and present include: The Back Porch Gang, Bacwoods,and Trailtown Opry.
Recordings: 'Live Bluegrass From The Heart Of America'; two cuts with The Back Porch Gang. Land and Hildebrand Music.

Bruce Graybill / Mandolin
1995 Dogwood Music Festival Guitar Champion, 1997 Kansas State Flatpicking Guitar Champion, Three time Kansas State Mandolin Champion, and 1998 'Walnut Valley Mandolin' Champion (National Flatpicking Championships). Releasing his first album 'Mandocranium, an acoustic string Fantasy' in 1992, Bruce embarked on a lifelong musical journey in 1975 playing Electric Guitar with a group of illegal aliens, (Unbeknownst to him), in a Floridian Rock group called 'The Ebony Blue Show Band'. Citing early influences like Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, and Niel Young, Graybill was introduced to the Mandolin through Bluegrass Music in 1982, and has studied its use in popular music ever since. Bruce reminds us that 'the Mandolin is the instrument of love'. Bands past and present include: Drastic Measures, Prairie Gators, One for the Road, and The Ebony Blue Show Band.
Recordings: 'Mandocranium', Bruce's original solo album with Spontaneous Combustion.
'Live Bluegrass From The Heart Of America'; two cuts with Drastic Measures.

'Bluerock' 'Spontane' and 'Where There's Smoke'
are available thru
Combustible Records PO Box 414072 K.C.MO. 64141

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Intrasite Links:
* Bruce Graybill's Mandolin Heaven* *Brooster's Honky Tonk Haven*
*Live Bluegrass from the Heart of America* *Mandocranium Page* *Mando Kinetics Products Page*
*Mandofest Page* *Ray Bell's Technique Page* *PMO Resonance Page*
*Seventy Seven Head Bangin' Hot Licks*

Intersite Links:
Brooster's Mandolin Related Links

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