The Lucky Strikes

This article is about the band. For the cigarette, see Lucky Strike.
The Lucky Strikes
Origin Austin, Texas, United States
Genres Swing
Years active 1989—present
Labels Sony, Lazy SOB, Big Ticket
Associated acts Craig Marshall Band
Website luckystrikes.com
Members Craig Marshall
Milan Moorman
Freddie Mendoza
Past members Sebastian Santa Maria
Michael Henderson

The Lucky Strikes are a contemporary swing band which achieved mainstream success during the late 1990s swing revival movement. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist/vocalist Craig Marshall (Delta Rays/Craig Marshall Band) with friends Milan Moorman (trumpet), Brian Copeland (bassist) and Freddie Mendoza (trombone).

History

Formation

The group, whose style was based upon the sounds of swing, jazz lounge and big band, formed in 1989 in Austin, Texas.

Singer Craig Marshall was an avid fan of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Nat King Cole and Harry Connick, Jr. Freddie Mendoza, a native of San Antonio, Texas, previously toured and performed with a long list of artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Bill Watrous, Rob McConnell, Bob Mintzer and Harry Connick, Jr.

During the late 1990s swing revival movement, the Lucky Strikes toured and performed at premiere events in Hollywood, California, celebrating the release of the 1996 comedy-drama film Swingers, which was written by Jon Favreau and directed by Doug Liman. The movie starred Favreau with Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston and Heather Graham.

In early 1998, the Lucky Strikes visited Canada and New Zealand which included several consecutive sold out shows. The Lucky Strikes continue to tour the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Europe, depending on the availability of singer Craig Marshall, who is also active with his group the Craig Marshall Band.

In 2000, the Lucky Strikes appeared in the motion picture Just Sue Me, an American romantic comedy starring Tom Arnold and William McNamara. The film was directed by John Sheppird.

The Lucky Strikes have toured and performed with artists such as Rod Stewart, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

Band members' follow-up careers

The Lucky Strikes continue to tour and record new material as a popular North American swing-revival band. Singer Craig Marshall has been involved with a solo project in which he is working with members of various groups and his own band, the Craig Marshall Band.

In an effort to preserve the music and heritage, Marshall worked closely with elderly expert Dr. Bob Dibrell to develop the Moon River Music Therapy program, aimed to uplift spirits and improve the lives of residents and patients at convalescent homes, hospices, Alzheimers units, adult daycare, nursing homes and assisted living and independent living facilities.

Tours

Discography

Albums

Singles

Issued on Big Ticket Records
Telephone Distribution

References

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Lucky Strikes.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.