Drawing its musical influences from American roots music - swing, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues, soul, Motown, - Eight to the Bar is known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements, highlighted by female vocals.
With the support of independently-produced albums and videos, Eight to the Bar has cultivated a large, enthusiastic following that has put them in clubs from Disneyland to Disney World as well as Europe and the Carribean. Their rigorous performing schedule (approximately 200 dates per year), has included opening spots for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Manhattan Transfer, Robert Cray, Neil Young, Roy Orbison, and Ray Charles.

Listening to Eight to the Bar is a lot like driving along a time-warped highway precisely halfway between Count Basie's Kansas City and the Supremes' Detroit, where the car radio picks up everything from "Take the A Train" to "I heard it Through the Grapevine." Their material, like their outlandish wardrobes and onstage choreo, is a colorful mixture of forties jive, fifties melodrama and sixties Motown.

Tom Smith, New Haven Advocate

"Calling All Ickeroos!", Eight to the Bar's tenth record, was released in December of 2007. The CD is a mix of swing, jump blues, jazz, vocalese, fifties-style classic r&b, and even a little Latin! Now being played on 24 radio stations nationwide!

EIGHT TO THE BAR  is:

Keyboards, vocals

The band's founder and leader, Cynthia is ETTB's primary songwriter and arranger. She has also played with Amyl and the Icons and The Dirty Blondes of New York City.

Tenor and alto saxophones

Best known for his sax and flute playing on Van Morrison's million selling Moondance album, Collin also played with Etta James on the Rolling Stones 1978 U.S. Tour. Most recently, he served as horn arranger with Clarence Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers and has worked with a number of regional bands, notably the Shaboo All Stars.

Vocals, percussion

The newest member of ETTB, Brinna started singing professionally in 2002, working with a Boston-based show band followed by backing vocal gigs with many different tribute artists, from Rod Stewart to Shania Twain. In 2005, her love for singing Big Band and Jazz became a dream realized when she opened for Bob Newhart, backed by a 10-piece orchestra. In 2006, Brinna joined the Northeast-renowned group Souled Out, singing background vocals, and opening for The Drifters, The Pointer Sisters and The Temptations.

Guitar, vocals

Tommy's exciting guitar playing and powerful singing is well known to New England audiences through his work with several New England bands, notably Cyclone Scotty. Tom also leads his own blues rock band, Tommy Whalen & the Ragged Edge.

Drums, percussion.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Shawn currently resides and teaches drums in Boston. Besides leading his own bands, he has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe and has played with a number of swing and classic r&b bands, notably Toni Lynn Washington, Eddie Kirkland and Johnnie Marshall.

Bass Guitar, vocals

A veteran bass player and teacher, Mike is best known for his dazzling work with Magill-LaPine jazz quartet, and a voice that can range from do-wop bass to swing soprano in the vocal trio.