Dogtown Records presents: “Sunflower Soul LIVE! A Cross MO Showcase of Soul and Jazz,” feat. THE FREEDOM AFFAIR Friday, February 24, 2023 at The Golden Record

Dogtown Records (DR) presents a collaboration of two independent Missouri-based labels and performers featured on the publishers’ rosters. With the three-band event “Sunflower Soul LIVE! A Cross MO Showcase of Soul and Jazz,” DR founder Andy Coco and the founder of Kansas City-based Sunflower Soul Records, Chris Hazelton, begin a state-wide event collaboration to support each others’ funky home-grown sounds! 

On Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, the evening begins at 8 p.m. with The Chris Hazelton Organ Quartet, featuring Chris Hazelton on the Hammond B3 organ, and local guitarist Pete Lombardo, who lived and worked with Chris previously in KC. The event headliner is The Freedom Affair, who will take the stage at 9 p.m., followed by Andy Coco’s Dogtown Records Allstars at 11 p.m.

The Freedom Affair is on the road, carrying their positive message with a powerful big band that features their three lead vocalists, Shon Ruffin, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders.  The uplifting soulful vibe of The Freedom Affair is led by Sunflower Soul founder and organ master Chris Hazelton, who plays electric bass guitar on this project.

Click for –> The Freedom Affair’s EPK 

Dogtown Records founder Andy Coco, bassist, producer, and bandleader will present the late-night entertainment with Hammond B3 master Bob Row, drummer Canon DeWeese, and guitarist Pete Lombardo, whose original songs and recordings are featured on the DR Imprint.  

“Sunflower Soul LIVE! A Cross MO Showcase of Soul and Jazz”

Friday Feb. 24, 2023

The Golden Record | 2720 Cherokee Street, St. Louis, MO

8:00 pm  The Chris Hazelton Organ Quartet | chrishazelton.com

9:00 pm  The Freedom Affair | thefreedomaffair.com

 Featuring Shon Ruffin, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders

11:00 pm Dogtown Records Allstars featuring Bob Row 

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show, on sale NOW at: Event Brite (Feb. 24, 2023)

New Music from the Giant Quintet; debuts live Fri 8/26 at the Oyster Bar!

From the Dogtown Records studio in St. Louis, two new recordings are being released this week, featuring the work of composer/arranger/musician Jonathan Taylor, and DR founding producer/musician Andy Coco.

A late Summer release on two singles titled “Snowdays” and “On the Humbug” may seem a tad early, but we could not wait to get them out, and start performing them live! Both instrumental tracks feature memorable melodies, the signature sound of Hammond Organ, and inspired adventurous electric guitar performances, which conjure an ethereal, almost spacey landscape. Close your eyes, and see where these sounds take you!

Recorded live at Dogtown Records and co-produced by Andy Coco, these are the first releases from of a greater body of work being produced in various setting and with multiple musicians in the area by producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Taylor.

Jim Peters and Jonathan Taylor at DR

These tracks represent the first salvo from the Giant Quintet, a fresh ensemble recently hatched to perform original compositions from a greater body of work in progress titled “Giants Among Us.” The work comprises a diverse array of musical styles with a sizeable and diverse cast of Midwestern musicians and artists. The Giant Quintet performs pieces that best fit the melodic voices of organ, guitar, and woodwinds, occasionally featuring the vocal talents of its members and a few guests.

Nathan Hershey, Jim Peters at DR

Both tracks were recorded live at Dogtown Records by Andy Coco, mixed by Dan Mehrmann at Midtown Sound House, and mastered by Josh Harris, Seiren Productions.

This phase of the project is supported in part by a grant from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Jonathan is also a 2021-2022 Artist in Residence at KAF.

The Broadway Oyster Bar will host a showcase on Friday, August 26, 2022 and feature a live debut performance of these new songs and more by the Giant Quintet, a supergroup that features Hammond organist Nathan Hershey, guitarist Jim Peters, multi-instrumentalist Ben Reece, and Jonathan and Andy on Drums and Bass respectively.
The set begins at 11pm at 736 S. Broadway. Broadway Oyster Bar

Opening the show at 9:30pm is the also new Chris Shepherd Band, which features the vocalist doing his thing with the support of Benet Schaeffer on Drums, and the Service’s Andy Coco and Nathan Hershey on Bass, Organ and backing vocals. The CSB is shown here in the studio working on new tracks for release on DR this fall.

New music from CSB in progress at DR

***AND the Dogtown Records All Star Jam closes the August 26 bill, with them super funky soul jazz classics and special guests, beginning after midnight – NOT TO BE MISSED!**

Ticket price is $12 at the door. More info at BroadwayOysterBar.com

2022 Schlafly ART OUTSIDE Performing Artist Lineup!

DR proudly presents the lineup for the 2022 Schlafly Art Outside, taking place Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29, 2022


Friday May 27, 2022
4-5:30p Chris Shepherd Band
6-7:30p So Grand Polka Band
8:15-9:45p Dave Grelle’s Playadors

Saturday May 28. 2022
11a-12:30p Tom Hall
1-2:30p Miss Jubilee and the Yas Yas Boys
3-4:30p One Way Traffic
5-6:30p Janet Evra
7-8:15p / 8:30-9:45p Gene Jackson & Power Play

Sunday May 29. 2022
11a-12:15p Hip Grease
12:45-2p Ryan Marquez St. Unity
2:30-4p Al Holliday and The East Side Rhythm Band