Sweet Papa Lowdown

Sweet Papa Lowdown’s current lineup features Jeff Shucard on guitar and vocals, Dan Smith on slide guitar and mandolin, Lloyd Arntzen on soprano sax and clarinet, and Dan Marcus on sousaphone and bass flugel horn. Both Dan Smith and Dan Marcus have been with me since 1996 when we recorded Lost & Found. Lloyd joined the group shortly thereafter. Each of these men brings very special gifts to the whole. Dan Marcus, an acknowledged master of all things brass, has been a member of both the Ray Charles and Woody Herman bands and has performed at virtually every major jazz festival in the world. Dan Smith, a Vancouver guitar legend, has also performed as a sideman to many major recording artists as well as leading his own bands. Lloyd Arntzen, at seventy-three years young, has been a guiding light and inspiration to several generations of Canadian musicians during his fifty-year (and still going strong) professional jazz career. It’s always an honour and great pleasure to take the stage with these guys.