committed to the blues

Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by NakedCity in music

words > RANDY CRUMP

Jenny Detra and Good Cookin’ is a new band, but the members have been making music professionally their entire adult lives. Jim Keefer is well known as one of the best bass players in Wichita. Tom Szambecki, on keys, is also a Wichita favorite. Jim and Tom played together in the popular band Keefer Madness. Ken Sager holds the distinction of being the 2004 Utah State Mandolin Champion, as well as the 2004 Utah State Flat Pick Champion. Drummer Corey Rolfe has served as band director of the stage play The Melba Moore Story, as well as performing on the 2008 tour of Mary Mary. As for Jenny, her mom says she sang before she talked.

“My earliest memories are all about singing and music,” Jenny says. “I taught myself to play guitar at the age of 10, then later picked up piano. No one ever had to nag me to practice. I think I came onto the planet committed to making music.”

“I lived a couple hours South of Nashville for 20 years and have spent the last year and a half since returning to Wichita trying to find the right blend of players for this band. These guys are all seasoned professionals, who, in spite of whatever else they have had to do to keep the bills paid, have continued to honor their love and commitment to music by striving to make the best music possible. I personally, am honored that in making that great music, they chose to include me.”

“Regarding commitment and the actual making of music,” she continues, “I think to have a successful band that has longevity, each member has to be committed to the goal of creating something that is musically worthwhile and satisfying for everyone in the band. Keeping that goal in mind and being flexible—being willing to try each other’s musical ideas, keeping one’s ego in check, being committed to the band as a whole, instead of only yourself, is how truly great music is created. It’s the sum of all the parts.”

Jim Keefer says, “Our sound is evolving by the use of mandolin—and the way Ken plays the electric guitar changes up the rhythm of standard blues, jazz, and pop songs like the Band’s song The Weight, some Bob Dylan songs—it changes the instrumentation. Tom takes the songs and makes them different. We are doing songs in a way you may not have heard before. It’s kind of nice the way we let songs evolve.”

Plans? “Not to have any plans—just let things happen.”

Catch a gig at Players Sports Bar & Grill, February 12–13. Visit jennydetra.com for more information.