Join us for an evening with Eight to the Bar! Wherever they perform, Eight to the Bar makes it a celebration. Inspired by the legacy of Cynthia Lyon's mother, who sang with her sisters during WWII, the band was founded in 1975 and has kept the swing spirit alive ever since. Their dynamic mix of 1940s jazz and swing, 1950s jump blues, and Motown is both nostalgic and fresh—earning them a devoted fan base and opening spots for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Manhattan Transfer, Robert Cray, and the late Roy Orbison and Ray Charles.

The band is:

Cynthia Lyon - Band Leader/Founder

Collin Tilton - Tenor and Alto Saxophone, Flute // Best known for his sax and flute playing on Van Morrison's quadruple-platinum-selling Moondance album, Collin went on to play in Etta James’  band which included being on the Rolling Stones' 1978 U.S. Tour. Before joining ETTB in the late eighties, he served as horn arranger/section leader with Clarence Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers. 

Brinna Jones - Vocals, Percussion // Brinna started singing professionally in 2002, working with a Boston-based show band followed by backing vocal gigs with many different tribute artists. In 2005, she opened for Bob Newhart, backed by a 10-piece orchestra. The following year she joined the Northeast-renowned group Souled Out, singing background vocals, and opening for The Drifters, The Pointer Sisters and The Temptations. 

Eric Kuhn - Bass, Vocals // Eric has been a bassist, vocalist, and composer in Connecticut since the late 1970s. In 1988 he formed The Bus, beloved Middletown, (CT) rock trio, with Michael Cleary and Paul Bozzi. Eric is known for a voice that can range from do-wop bass to swing soprano in the vocal trio.

Justin Blackburn - Drums, Vocals // A versatile drummer and soulful singer, Justin  holds a degree in Music from Eastern Connecticut State University. He has performed with many local and national acts including Dave Costa and Peter Tork as well as his pursuing his own projects. Justin currently resides in the quiet corner of CT where he can be found teaching drums and jamming with the local musicians.

George Lesiw - Guitar, Vocals // Recognized as one of the most prolific and versatile performers on the Connecticut music scene, guitarist George Lesiw has made his surge a topic of conversation and interest amongst the Northeast audience. Lesiw combines the true improvisational essence and language of jazz, the daring electricity of rock-fusion and the gritty fire of blues. 

"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 Fats Waller's Harlem, where the car radio picks up everything from Jumpin’ at the Woodside to The Andrews Sisters. Their material, like their outlandish wardrobes and onstage choreo, is a colorful mix of forties jazz and swing, fifties jump blues, and their own swing-influenced tunes. With their female vocals, saxophone (their sax player, Collin Tilton, is Van Morrison’s original sax and flute player and he played on Morrison’s quadruple-platinum-selling Moondance album), guitar, bass, keyboards and drums, this unique sextet packs a musical and visual wallop not seen in New England since the group's inception in 1975. Since that time they have released 13 CDs and have excited audiences from Europe to the Caribbean. The band has received decades of accolades and recently had the honor of touring the Republic of Georgia (near Russia) at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy there. Currently the group has just been named “Best Musical Group 2024” by CT Magazine and released its 13th CD, “The Light Fantastic”."

$10 Advance / $15 Day of