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Featured performances

The Amusement Company Band

The Amusement Company Band plays vintage tunes for your amusement. 

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The Amusement Company Band is a joyful, ever-evolving ensemble led by the multi-talented Ellen Warkentine—a spirited clarinetist, pianist, and vocalist with a love for the playful and unexpected. Rooted in the vibrant tradition of early jazz, The Amusement Company brings the energy of a bygone era to life with a fresh, whimsical twist.

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Ellen invites a rotating cast of top-tier musicians to join in the revelry, making each performance a unique and dynamic experience. Amusement Company members have included renowned artists such as Benj Clarke, Riley Baker, Ryan Hitchin, Katie Cavera, Conrad Cayman, Corey Gemme, Tom Marion, and Daniel Brezenoff—each bringing their own magic to the mix.​​

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From hot jazz to ragtime, swing to novelty tunes, The Amusement Company Band keeps the spirit of classic jazz alive, always with a wink and a sense of fun. Whether you're tapping your feet or swinging on the dance floor, every show is an invitation to revel in the joy of the music.

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Ellen is also co-founder and leader of the powerhouse femme trio The Naughty Doings  and co-founder of the Brooklyn-based Small Dog Jazz Society.

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The Amusement Company Band's name is inspired by The Balboa Amusement Producing Company, the first west-coast silent film studios based in Long Beach, CA between 1913-1918. 

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