New Sound, New Name for OVL’s House Band

Under the direction of Paul Ross

Paul Ross and the Cranberry Jam Band

 

 

After 35 years as Director of The Cape Conservatory Band, which became The Cape Jazz AUStar Band over time, Tyler Newcomb took a much-deserved retirement and headed in new directions with his life. Much loved and successful, Tyler handed the baton to Paul Ross, a woodwind player of 63 years and bandleader for 35 years, known especially for his Alto Sax.
 

Paul attended Boston University and has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music from the Manhattan School of Music where he was an adjunct professor for 13 years. He was the founder and leader of The Kadillacs, a 12-piece rhythm and blues band that was based in Nashville, TN, and performed around the country for 35 years. The band played Presidential Inaugural Balls for Ronald Regan (both terms) and George H. W. Bush. It was the opening band for the Tennessee Titans football team stadium and Nashville Predators Hockey Team arena. Paul’s favorite experiences include playing in the pit orchestras of many Broadway shows for more than IO years. He was the House musical contractor for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for 37 years. Since fulfilling a dream of retiring to Falmouth, which he did in 2021 with his wife, Martha, and their two dogs, He played with Tyler Newcomb’s band until Newcomb’s retirement.
 

Paul has been working with the band since last summer. The group, which the library affectionately dubbed the OVL House Band, began practicing there several years ago. Under Director Ross’s enthusiastic leadership, they have a refreshed sound and name to go along with it: The Cranberry Jam band.
 

“I love a big band that plays a variety of music,” said Paul, who describes himself as a free-lance musician. “This 16-piece band, Cranberry Jam, plays different types of music from the 1930s, '40s, and '508, right up through the '70s, '80s, and '90s, to today. From Duke Ellington to Rod Stewart, Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winellouse, Miley Cyrus, and even Adele and Billie Eilish”
 

At the heart of the band is its roots and love for concert Jazz, he said. “We are a big band group of professional musicians who are great at special Jazz performances as well. Jazz has been the heartbeat of our work, and it remains at our core.”
 

It’s a band with wide interests and talents, from great jazz to danceable music, and party music. “We happily perform in duos, quartets, larger ensembles, and of course, the full big band,” Paul explained.

The group consists of the typical big band instrumentation. “We have saxophones, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, flugelhorns, and trombones, as well as keyboard, bass (upright and electric), guitar, and drums,” he said. “It’s the full big band mix.” Members of Cranberry Jam include Saxes Paul Ross, Laurie Lang, Berke McKelvey, Peter Murray, and David Jost; Trumpets Joe Casano, Joe Mongelli, Tom Bober, Steve Bienefeld; Trombones Paul Matthias Juli Thornell, Chuck Katukas, Travis Bliskhe; and Rhythm Chris Bean, Rick Cain, Pedro Verdugo, Bob Palumbo. Vocals are provide by Matt Newcombe and Delayna Long,
 

They perform music styled to the wants and needs of their clients or audience. “We’re able to do pretty much all forms of good music. I’d say all of us do this because we love it,” Paul added “Our goal is to keep good live music vibrant and in the public arena. We all live on or near the Cape and bring our unique, diverse musical backgrounds and styles, ranging from old-style swing to contemporary pop music, disco, jazz, and party music.”
 

Musing about the progress the band has made and its bright future, Paul says, “I am always amazed at the work we do in stretching, learning from each other, and trying new music as well as the standards when we rehearse,” he concluded. “We’re excited to be working around the Cape this year and are ready to bring our great mix to public and private gatherings. We are ready to take bookings now, and that is great news.”


 

Stop By to Here the Jam

Cranberry Jam rehearses at the Osterville Library twice a month after regular library hours. Members may come in and listen to rehearsals on occasion with prior notice and permission from the library staff. The library staff will try to accommodate those interested.

 

 

 

Info, Music Videos and More


  • Article about OVL aquiring the Band - read article
  • To contact Paul about booking the full band, or a smaller configuration for your public events or private gatherings: paulross643@gmail.com or text/ call him at (615)-594-4687.