The Poudre River Irregulars are a colorful jazz ensemble that plays New Orleans and Dixieland jazz and trad jazz in all its forms. They are noted for their exuberant energy and sound musicianship.
Drawing much of their inspiration from Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, they play a wide variety of traditional jazz, from ragtime through the classics of the twenties and thirties up to early swing. Whatever they play, their music is always upbeat and joyful.
Go to our Gigs page to see the performance schedule and buy admissions.
Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, this popular band plays for concerts, dances, and private engagements all over the Northern Colorado region. Their best-known gig is at Avogadro’s Number, a hangout near the Colorado State University campus, where they play on the first Friday of each month to sellout crowds.
They also have recorded a number of popular CDs. Take a look at Our CDs for contents and how to order CDs. For photos, information about their musical style and some music samples, see Media.
About the name: The Cache la Poudre River was named by early French explorers who stashed gunpowder at intervals along its banks. Its upper reaches now provide recreation for kayakers, rafters, and fishermen, while supplying water for Fort Collins and surrounding agricultural areas. The local pronunciation is “POO-der.”
Leadership: Cornetist Bob Cooke founded the band in 1995 and was its leader until December 2010, when he retired and handed over the reins. Now, trombonist Len Kellogg is the band’s leader (head honcho, booking agent, and all-purpose go-to guy); you can contact him here.
As to “Irregulars”: when the band was forming in 1994, personnel changes were frequent and abrupt. The group has long since stabilized, but keeps the name because it suggests the free and easy spirit of their music. (Think of a motley militia ready at a moment’s notice to take on an engagement with deftness and high spirits.)