Guitarist/vocalist CHRIS GOINS is a life-long Westsider (as opposed to his musical partner, JAN DIEHL, who has only lived on the Westside for 40 years). Chris plays lead guitar with The DANNY FRAZIER BAND, a position he’s held since Danny’s Nashville days. Before the Frazier Band, Chris played and toured with rock group OVERDUE and worked in an acoustic duo with Kenny Cowden. Chris has also spent time working with The MISSY WERNER BAND and COMET BLUEGRASS ALLSTARS.
Chris and Jan first performed together in CURLY & the CUEBALLS, where they discovered their mutual love of jazz standards. They continued to work together playing in the pit for musicals, and occasionally subbing in each other’s bands. A year or so ago they finally had time to get serious about playing for fun and they opened up the Great American Songbook. Chris and Jan now play a mix of jazz standards at restaurants, cafes and festivals.
Bass/woodwinds/vocals JAN DIEHL recently retired after decades of teaching music and music pedagogy to students in kindergarten through grad school helping to produce successful professional musicians, music educators and a plethora of music lovers. Although most of his time was spent at Guardian Angels School, he also taught at Bethel-Tate High School and was an adjunct faculty member at Mount Saint Joseph University and UC’s College-Conservatory of Music. In his retirement, he continues to conduct honor bands, honor jazz bands and adjudicate Ohio Music Education Association Solo & Ensemble events and is often found playing for musicals at local theatres and high schools.
Jan worked his way through the College-Conservatory of Music playing with a popular cover band called Magik, and worked 28 years with Elaine & the Biscaynes, The Bromwell-Diehl Band and the Phil Blank Blues Band. Jan currently plays bass and woodwinds with Boutique, Curly & the Q-Balls, in a duo with Chris Goins and The Sultans of Swing (along with Chris – they plug in and turn up!)
Chris and Jan perform regularly at the Market Street Grille, The Crow’s Nest, and events including Summerfair.