James Varnado Band at St. Petersburg Jazz Festival at The Palladium’s Side Door Cabaret

James Varnado was born in New Orleans and when he was young his family moved to Houma, La. where he began playing drums in the Baptist Church. In pursuing his love of drumming he was honored to sit with some of the finest names in Louisiana including: Dixie Cups (Chapel Of Love), George Porter of the Meters (Sissy Strut), Charmaine Neville of the Neville Brothers Family, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Wild Magnolia's and the Mardi Gras Indians, Tad Benoit ' Swamp Blues Band and Mem Shannon and the Membership Blues Band.

James' recent 8 year tenure with Dickey Betts gave him the opportunity to share bookings with such music greats as Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy (Tommy Aldrich), Santana and BB King. Having 22 tours out of the United States to South America and Europe, including Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium and of course the UK, he is a well-traveled drummer. After much consideration James chose to leave Dickey Betts and the 'Southern Rock' music venue to pursue his love of Jazz, Funk and Fusion. ...

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James Varnado was born in New Orleans and when he was young his family moved to Houma, La. where he began playing drums in the Baptist Church. In pursuing his love of drumming he was honored to sit with some of the finest names in Louisiana including: Dixie Cups (Chapel Of Love), George Porter of the Meters (Sissy Strut), Charmaine Neville of the Neville Brothers Family, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Wild Magnolia's and the Mardi Gras Indians, Tad Benoit ' Swamp Blues Band and Mem Shannon and the Membership Blues Band.

James' recent 8 year tenure with Dickey Betts gave him the opportunity to share bookings with such music greats as Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy (Tommy Aldrich), Santana and BB King. Having 22 tours out of the United States to South America and Europe, including Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium and of course the UK, he is a well-traveled drummer. After much consideration James chose to leave Dickey Betts and the 'Southern Rock' music venue to pursue his love of Jazz, Funk and Fusion.

Band members include James Varnado, Scott Stevenson, Jack Berry & Justin Green. Advance tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org or call (727) 822-3590. For more info on the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, see www.stpetejazzfest.com

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