8 1/2 Souvenirs Swing Band from Austin, TX

We are an iconic Austin band (read history below) that reformed in 2014 after a 15 year hiatus. We are often hard to describe but generally fall under the European Swing/Gypsy Jazz labels. Our influences come from all over, but you will hear a bit of Nino Rota, Paolo Conte, Serge Gainsbourg, and D'jango Reinhart in most of what we do. Easy to dance to, our shows are graced by the swing dance community. We made 4 records between 1995-2000 of primarily originals under Continental Records and then with RCA/Victor. The most successful of which was "Happy Feet" (Continental Records 1995), earning us recognition as the Best Jazz Band at the Austin Music Awards from 1995-1997, and Best Swing/Lounge Band in 1998 & 1999. Some of our favorite memories have been our taping at ACL Live, playing the Montreal Jazz Festival, and touring with the Brian Setzer Orchestra. We look forward to getting back into the studio this year to record our newest songs with Charlie Sexton as producer. Some of our favorite memories have been our taping at ACL Live, playing the Montreal Jazz Festival, and touring with the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has held its ongoing Tuesday happy hour residency at C-Boy's Heart and Soul since September 2014. Current members are the originals Olivier Giraud (guitar/vocals), Kathy Kiser Benayoun (vocals), Todd Wulfmeyer (upright bass), & Robb Kidd (drums); with newcomer Benito on piano & melodica. While we always prefer to play as a full band, we are able to play as a trio or quartet when needed. You can 'audition' us live from 6:30-9 every week. Whether you need to create a distinct ambiance or need to get the crowd swinging, we would love to be a part of your story. "Formed in earnest in 1994 by French-born guitarist and singer Olivier Giraud, then buttressed by Glover Gil's piano and accordion skills, 8½ Souvenirs came to local acclaim with happy hours at venerable South Congress speakeasy the Continental Club. A musical confluence of European cafe society and rockabilly, slacker, and jazz fans - the quintet saw the venue's record label release its debut Happy Feet in 1995. Heavily influenced by both jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt ("Souvenirs") and Nino Rota, composer of Federico Fellini's film 8½, the group featured a succession of female vocalists (Kathy Kiser (Benayoun), Julianna Sheffield, and Chrysta Bell) singing in English, French, and Italian, Giraud sharing lead mic duties. Presaging the 1990s swing and lounge craze, 8½ Souvenirs released Souvonica in 1997 and landed RCA/BMG to put out their third disc, Twisted Desire, in 1999. The group evaporated around the new millennium, but 8½ Souvenirs will always enjoy a firm place in Austin music history." – David Lynch