THE TORCHLIGHTERS are a dynamic 9-piece ensemble led by Torch that features an all-star lineup of local musicians. The band performs a wide variety of musical genres with over-the-top energy and red hot musicianship. You can catch The Torchlighters lighting up the stage at Joe's Great American Bar and Grill on the last Tuesday night of each month. And there's always a surprise musical guest artist or two dropping by to hang out and jam on a couple of tunes with the band!


The band plays a unique mixture of tunes from The Great American Songbook, from Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole, and George Gershwin, covered in the past by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, and Joe Williams, and brought to life today. And they don't stop there. You will also hear smokin' hot Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Classic Swing, Hot Jazz, and even some Dixieland favorites! Arranged and performed by some of LA's hottest musicians, The Torchlighters are most of all fun, danceable, and entertaining.

Past and current band members include veterans of Jumpin' Jimes, Royal Crown Revue, Big Sandy & The Fly-Rite Boys, Deke Dickerson, Ricky Martin, James Harman, Rod Piazza, Hot Rod Lincoln, The Lucky Stars, Russell Scott & The Red Hots, Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, Social Distortion, Rob Rio & The Revolvers, Crown City Jazz Band, Sam Butera, Mavis Staples, Joe Cocker, Ladd McIntosh, Eddie Reed, Blues For Breakfast, and many more.

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DINA BENNETT is the featured vocalist with The Torchlighters and is no newcomer to the world of music. She can be heard on popular jazz and swing radio stations performing selections with the popular band Red and the Red Hots as well as her very own group, Dina Deluxe and the Mood Swings. A native of Louisiana, Dina's musical influences include jazz, classic rock, and country. LA Times critic Philip Brandes defines her approach as "finessing gossamer melodies as if they were arias... gorgeous." "With a phenomenal voice and a relaxed presence on stage, Bennett proves a first rate performer," states Vicki Paris Goodman of the Signal Tribune. According to Press Telegram's Shirle Gottleib, Dina is, "a natural born comic with terrific talent." And, Marchelle Hammack of the Long Beach Beachcomer says, "(Dina Bennett) steals the show every time she sings."

An international recording artist, Dina has been seen and heard in a number of genres worldwide. A frequent performer in Europe and in Japan, she has toured with and sung on stage with such great artists as Perry Como, Neil Diamond, Peebo Bryson, and The Billy Vaughn Orchestra. Listen for her singing the theme song for MTV's "The U.S. of Ant" television show and children are singing along with Dina on the new "Celebrate!" CD featuring original songs teaching kids about the different holidays during the year.

* DINA BENNET'S WEBSITE

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