The Sunnyland Jazz Band are a group of versatile musicians based in Suffolk County who specialize in traditional jazz rarities of the 1920's through the 1940's, featuring Bob Barta on banjo, John Klumpp on trumpet, and Jeff Furman on tuba. The group is generally recognized for their "happy, feel-good" sound and sense of humor. You may have seen and heard them locally at numerous street fairs, festivals, and concert appearances across Long Island. They regularly perform at Le Chef restaurant in Southampton during the season.

The group's leader, Bob Barta, has a well-established reputation as a banjoist and vocalist in traditional jazz circles, specializing in novelty and rare tunes of early jazz. Over the years, Bob has played at diverse venues including the 21 Club, the Gold Dust Saloon, and on the Delta Queen riverboat. Other notable performances included the Today Show, National Public Radio, and two performances at Carnegie Hall. In recent years, he has been featured jazz and banjo festivals across Canada and the US.

Besides leading his own Sunnyland Jazz Band, Bob has performed with the Howard Hovey Trio, the New York Banjo Ensemble, the Isotope Stompers, and the Paramount Jazz Band of Boston. Using a variety of styles and instrumentations, his CD In One Era And Out The Other features Bob on banjo, tenor guitar, and vocals playing re-discovered classic songs from the tunesmiths of Tin Pan Alley. He was a featured guest on a 2008 CD by the Loose Marbles of New Orleans.

In his other life, Mr. Barta is Assistant Professor of Business and Information Systems at Suffolk County Community College. He is also president of a non-profit historic theater, the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, in downtown Riverhead as well as co-director since 2006 of the Annual Riverhead Blues Festival.

John Klumpp’s trumpet style has been called “exuberant”, “exciting”, and “naturally swinging” by his fellow jazz musicians across Long Island. Since his introduction to Dixieland-style music with Bob Barta in 1987 and as leader of his own Starry Night Stompers, John has played throughout the tri-state area for numerous country clubs, business associations, and private affairs. He also performs regularly with Big Band East (as trumpeter and vocalist) and the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Band, including an appearance in the movie “Kate & Leopold”.

Despite the vast financial riches available in the field of jazz music today, John maintains his position as Assistant Curator of the Botanical/Biological Science unit at SUNY – Stony Brook.

Jeff Furman is known as one of the finest all-around tubaists in the tri-state area, providing support for many of the area's best classical and jazz groups. In addition to his work with the Sunnyland Jazz Band, Jeff plays with a diverse range of other professional concert ensembles including the Long Island Brass Guild, the Banjo Rascals, and the American Concert Band.

Additionally, he works as a freelance computer consultant and is married to the noted concert trombonist and performance artist Julie Josephson.

The Isotope Stompers

The Isotope Stompers are an exhilarating seven-piece Dixieland Jazz Band who were originally founded over 30 years ago by a group of jazz musicians with connections to Brookhaven National Lab on Long Island, New York.  Their music is generally classified as "Chicago-style" Dixieland, incorporating traditional New Orleans repertoire with a more modern and swinging rhythmic drive than older ragtime styles.  You will recognize some of the band’s popular tunes like the rousing Tiger Rag, Fidgety Feet, Kid’s Ory’s famous Muskrat Ramble, the sad and moving St. James Infirmary Blues or Tin Roof Blues.

They will have you clapping your hands and tapping your toes…for THE ISOTOPE STOMPERS celebrate Mardi Gras, New Orleans style, all year long! 

~ Bob Barta