The Bug Invasion Is Here

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Sylvia Herold and the Rhythm Bugs "The Spider and the Fly" a trove of days-gone-by pop songs ushered lovingly into the next century by vocalist-guitarist Sylvia Herold with lavish three-part-vocal harmonies and deft musicianship from top-notch jazz artists. The playful program takes its name—and its spirit—from the Fats Waller song "The Spider and the Fly, " a tale of leggy seduction accented here with cartoon voices and buggily high vocals. The album weaves a broad web of moods, from high-society jazz in "The Continental" to low-down New Orleans-flavored songs such as "Barrelhouse Bessie From Basin Street." Two spirited mid-century songs, "Mohair Sam" and "Ain't Nobody Home, " showcase bluesy rock vocals while the vocalese section on the bossa nova "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" takes the listener on a luxurious Pan Am flight of the 1960s.

The album's elegant vocal arrangements—reminiscent of the Pied Pipers and the Boswell Sisters and performed by the talented trio of Herold, Ed Johnson, and Jennifer Scott—are the rightful focal point of the album. But the skilled rhythm section of Herold, bassist Cary Black, and drummer Jason Lewis propels the songs irresistibly along, and masterful guest soloists (on vibraphone, trumpet, accordion, piano, acoustic and resophonic guitars) take listeners on unexpected but fulfilling flights of fancy.

ABOUT SYLVIA:
Like railroad tracks, two musical genres—swing and folk—have coursed in parallel lines through Sylvia Herold's career, even from an early age.

Herold grew up in West L.A. in a musical family. Her mother, Virginia, played piano and sang Gilbert and Sullivan. Her father, Henry, played guitar and sang Johnny Cash songs. As a teenager, Herold became enthralled with traditional folk songs, and she began singing, collecting songs, and honing her guitar skills.

At 16, she joined her first Irish band. At 20, drawn by the vibrant music scene, she left L.A. for San Francisco. Her first swing harmony group, the Android Sisters, appeared regularly on local public radio. Although that combo lasted but two years, a deep appreciation for songs of the swing era blossomed.

In the mid '80s, she joined a new swing trio that would flourish for the next 16 years: Cats & Jammers. The trio formed with Tony Marcus and Piper Heisig featured lush vocal harmony and natty vintage clothing. The popular group performed at major festivals (Strawberry Music Festival, Centrum Hot Jazz, Black Mountain Festival) and was featured on the A&E Network's "Good Time Café, " aired nationally.

Concurrently, Herold continued playing folk music and led a double life: feathered and sequined swing diva one night and scruffy Irish guitarist/chanteuse the next. She toured with noted Irish musicians such as James Kelly, Noel Hill, Joe Burke and Paddy Reynolds. At the same time, she worked for five years as a guitarist and singer in The Hot Club of San Francisco (Jazz at Filoli Gardens, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Great American Music Hall) and recorded two albums with that band.

When Cats & Jammers ended its run in 2002, Herold was enlisted into Wake the Dead, a concept band blending traditional Celtic music with the songs of the Grateful Dead. The group now has three albums to its credit and has performed at venues such as the Fillmore Auditorium, Oregon Country Fair, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and Sugar Bowl Music Festival.

Parallel lines also wend through Herold's solo recording career. A Bowl of Crystal Tears (1997) features ballads from the British Isles. A Mockingbird Sings in California (2001) freely mixes nature-themed swing and folk songs. In 2005, Sylvia Herold & Euphonia recorded Lovely Nancy, folk songs from the British Isles and America. Euphonia's The Old Jawbone (2009) melds old and new Americana songs and tunes. Herold's newest album, The Spider and the Fly (2012), is pure swing, with lush harmony vocals.

In recent years, teaching has become an increasingly important component of Herold's work. Specializing in song repertoire for guitarists, she has taught at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, California Coast Music Camp, Lark in the Morning music camp, California Bluegrass Association camps and BC Swing Camp in Canada. She is also a resident teacher at the venerable Freight & Salvage in Berkeley.

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