Winter 2023 Arizona-Mexico Tour - j. bell & the Lazy Susan Band

Keyboardist, bassist in air, drummer, guitarist in air, and percussionist on an outdoor stage — Perhaps the most “rock and roll” photo of the entire tour, from the Banditos outside Main Stage. Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie, Jr

In January 2023, we undertook a short tour of Arizona and Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, delivering 8 performances in 10 days to welcoming and enthusiastic crowds. Most of our performances were part of Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers’ January Jam. This page is our tribute to the experience, serving as a reminder to ourselves about how much fun we had.

Performances

1/6 – 7 pm – Tour Kickoff at 612 Brew, Minneapolis, MN
1/11 – 7:30 pm – Rockbar, Scottsdale, AZ
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, MX:
- 1/12 – 7:30 pm – Banditos (inside)
- 1/13 – Noon – Canción Tequila Jan Jam Baseball Slam tournament, Francisco Leon Garcia Stadium
- 1/13 – 6 pm – Banditos Outdoor Main Stage
- 1/14 – Noon – Baseball Slam
- 1/14 – 5 pm – Banditos (inside)
- (1/15 – j.bell & BPZ join the Peacemakers onstage at Manny’s for one song each)
- 1/16 – 5 pm – Banditos (inside)

j.bell joins Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers for a Minnesota-flavored “Tell Yer Momma” at Manny’s

BPZ joined the JONS onstage in the RCPM horn section at Manny’s for a trombone solo on …wait for it… “Mexico”!

Blog Posts

With help from the band and crew, Mike chronicled the band adventures in the following blog posts:

Photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie

Nobody helped us preserve memories from the weekend quite like pro photographer Stephen R. Sylvanie, Jr, who took and shared dozens of shots from our Friday and Saturday evening shows at Banditos (outside and inside, respectively). In addition to the photo at the top of this page, we’re including all of those shots here because we simply can’t pick our favorites!

Friday Night – Banditos Main Stage

Black and white photo of keyboardist, bassist leaping, drummer, guitarist, and trombonist on an outdoor stage — Mike takes to the air to demonstrate his excitement.

Five band members on outdoor stage at sunset — The LSB opens up the festival Main Stage just as the sun sets.

Keyboardist/singer, bassist, drummer, guitarist/singer, and percussionist/singer on an outdoor stage — The LSB concentrates on how to deliver the best possible show for the crowd.

Photo of a mobile phone being used to record video of a band on an outdoor stage — Some crowd members made their own videos of the LSB.

Black and white photo of bassist, guitarist, and singer on an outdoor stage — Mike, j.bell, and BPZ get into the groove.

Black and white photo of bass player making the "horns up" sign behind singer/guitarist — Mike gives the crowd the “horns up” sign behind j.bell.

Black and white photo of a keyboardist/singer and bassist on an outside stage — $2 Bill and Mike keeping it real.

Black and white photo of a bassist leaning up against a guitarist — Mike swears he has to do this once per show. j.bell says he loves that he never expects it.

Guitar player on outside stage, making a silly face — j.bell demonstrating both the Bigsby and the “painful solo face”.

Black and white photo of guitarist pointing in the air — “It won’t be like today”, j.bell tells the crowd.

Closeup photo of singer giving thumbs up sign — j.bell starting off the count.

Closeup of singer on outdoor stage — j.bell singing his heart out.

Black and white photo of singer on outside stage — Yet another closeup revealing how much fun the Banditos outside Main Stage was.

Singer with hand over heart on outside stage — j.bell expressing thanks to the crowd.

Closeup photo of a trombonist — BPZ hitting all the right trombone notes.

Black and white photo of trumpet player — $2 Bill playing his part of the Lazy Ass Brass.

Band member singing and playing percussion on an outdoor stage — BPZ adding his skilled harmonies while playing percussion.

Black and white photo of percussionist pointing shaker and tambourine at the crowd — BPZ engaging with the crowd.

Closeup of singer in dark shadows — BPZ channeling the harmonies of the shadows.

Black and white photo of drummer raising sticks in the air — Kent prepares to drop the hammer.

Percussionist playing tambourine and shaker — BPZ mixing things up with percussion.

Black and white closeup photo of a bassist — Mike ponders the meaning of the universe (or tacos).

Photo of drummer bathed in red light — Kent lit up by red lights.

Black and white photo of bassist on outdoor stage — Mike lays down the groove.

Drummer on outside stage — One of the many faces you could see from Kent on the Banditos outside Main Stage.

Bass player laughing and smiling — Mike soaks in the enjoyment.

Closeup of $2 Bill singing — $2 Bill singing on the Friday night Banditos Main Stage.

Black and white photo of a drummer — Kent putting the finishing touches on yet another godlike drum fill.

Saturday Evening – Banditos Bar Stage

Black and white photo looking down on five band members on stage — The LSB gettin’ serious.

Keyboard player hugs a trumpetist on stage while a guitarist solos and a singer points — $2 Bill helps Rusted Hearts bassist Dave McClellan tackle LSB trumpet parts.

Trumpet player, drummer, guitarist jumping, trombonist. Black and white photo. — More rocking.

Black and white photo of a trombonist and bassist — BPZ lays down a trombone solo while Rusted Hearts bassist Dave McClellan takes a guest turn on bass.

Black and white photo looking up at two singers and a bassist on stage — Mike letting the crowd know how much he’s enjoying the set while j.bell and BPZ sing harmonies.

Drummer, guitarist, trombonist, and bassist on stage — Kent, j.bell, BPZ, and Mike distract the crowd from the NFL playoffs.

Black and white photo of guitarist leaping with drummer in background — j.bell gets air while Kent prepares to land him with a boom.

Black and white photo looking up at guitarist, drummer, and vocalist — j.bell, Kent, and BPZ getting into the groove.

Guitarist and drummer — Rock faces abound.

Trumpeter, guitarist, and trombonist on stage — The Lazy Ass Brass frames j.bell. The crime: rockin’ too hard!

Drummer playing the floor tom and concentrating — Kent concentrating to rock fully.

Closeup of singer on stage with a balloon tied around his head — $2 Bill ponders his decision to drink with the JONS.

Drummer playing the floor tom, grinning — Kent digs in.

Fan and Blog Photos

We know these aren’t all the photos that were taken that week – but they certainly tell the story! Big thanks to all who contributed to this collection.