DUKES of Dixieland

History

The DUKES of Dixieland originated in 1948 when brothers Frank (trumpet) and Fred Assunto (trombone), along with their father "Papa Jac" Assunto (trombone and banjo), began performing as the Basin Street 4, later expanding to the Basin Street 7. After winning a talent competition on Horace Heidt's radio show, they adopted the name "Dukes of Dixieland." The band quickly rose to national prominence, with long residencies at venues like The Famous Door in New Orleans, the Thunderbird in Las Vegas, and the Preview Lounge in Chicago. Their 1958 album Marching Along with the Dukes of Dixieland, Volume 3 reached No. 6 on the US pop charts, and they recorded with Louis Armstrong. The Dukes made history as the first jazz ensemble to record in stereo (1957), later pioneering the first direct-to-disk jazz album (1978) and the first jazz album on CD (1984).

After Fred Assunto died in 1966 and Frank Assunto in 1974, the original band dissolved. Later that year, Chicago restaurateur and television producer John Shoup — who had previously worked with the band on a CBS Mardi Gras special — restarted the Dukes with an entirely new set of musicians. He leased Louis Prima's former nightclub atop the Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter and renamed it "Duke's Place." The Assunto family has disputed Shoup's rights to the name, leading to ongoing litigation, but Shoup's organization has continued to operate the band under the same brand since 1974.

Present-Day Operations

Under John Shoup's management, the band has performed with major symphony orchestras including the Cleveland, Chicago, and New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. They recorded with The Oak Ridge Boys on the 2011 album Country Meets Dixie, and their gospel album Gloryland was nominated for a Grammy in 2001. The current musical leader is trumpeter Kevin Clark, as confirmed by a Syncopated Times profile. Core rotating members include Matt Perronne (trombone), Morale Hoskins (piano), Eduardo Tozzatto (clarinet/saxophone), and David Mahoney (drums). The band is a regular fixture at the French Quarter Festival, New Year's Eve concerts with the Greensboro Symphony, and various television specials. Their website promotes them as "the Hottest Jazz Band in New Orleans comprised of the best young musicians," emphasizing a modern, energetic approach.

Products and Services

The primary offerings of the DUKES of Dixieland are live performances — including private events, corporate gigs, symphony collaborations, and festival appearances — and recorded music. Their catalog spans numerous albums across labels such as Sony Music, Leisure Jazz, and Audio Fidelity. Notable titles include Marching Along with the Dukes of Dixieland (1958), Gloryland (2001), and Country Meets Dixie (2011). They also produce one-hour television specials, such as one with Woody Herman, and maintain an active newsletter and social media presence.

Legal and Ownership

The band operates under the ownership and management of John Shoup, who has held the name since 1974. The Assunto family maintains that Shoup never received legal permission to use the name, and litigation has continued over the decades. The current band carefully distinguishes itself from the original Assunto-era Dukes. No C-suite executives are listed; the organization is run as a musical group rather than a traditional corporation.