Pictured are members of the Kokomo Time Band.

The Kokomo Time Band is once again getting ready for a full season.

The Kokomo Time Band is basically a “Trop Rock” type of band that offers not only a wide selection of All-American Beach Party Oldies but one that also offers a slightly wider range of taste and music culture so as to inspire and spark new excitement and interest. In recent years they have added material by artists like Jimmy Buffett, Bellamy Brothers,Toby Keith, Zac Brown, Texas Tornados, Santana, and Kenny Chesney.

“We indeed have a huge selection of the best beach-party oldies for cruise-in car shows, backyard parties, picnics, luaus, concerts and festivals. Beyond that, we have special music to cover events like Mardi-Gras, St. Paddy’s, Cinco de Mayo, veterans and Patriotic holidays, Cajun, Tex Mex, chilli cook-offs, roots and blues,” states Jim Steffan, leader of the Kokomo Time Band. “In fact we just completed a number of Valentine, St Paddy’s and Mardi Gras parties during March and February.”

Steffan added, “We play some tunes that some bands don’t and won’t play, but we also play some tunes that they do play.”

In addition to saxophone, The Kokomo Time Band has added the rich robust deep sounds of a baritone guitar, a Louisiana rubbord on the Zydeco tunes, 3:2 clave rhythms, along with other hand clap, special percussion and drum breaks. New tune additions include: a special Hand-Jive/Bo Diddley medley, “C’mon Eileen,” “Suzie Q,” “Come and Get Your Love,” and “Into the Mystic.”

This year’s Kokomo Time Band’s personnel includes: the fabulous John Guras (Black Diamond & Private Eyes) on keyboard and vocals; sax phenom John Cross; Warren Sischo (K.T.B. Alum par excellence) on baritone guitar and vocals; Tom Fenton (The Fibs reggae Cajun band) on guitar; Rick Strauss on guitar and vocals; and band leader Jim Steffan on percussion, drums and vocals.

“It’s very nice and interesting how our new talents in the guitar area go not only just the high string sounds, but the many various areas on the guitar to yield somewhat untypical but rich timbres,” Stefffan states.

The band is already booked for some car shows, church festivals, and picnics, but still have a few openings for the summer. They can perform as a Trio, four-, or five- piece ensemble. Check out Kokomo Time Band on Facebook for pictures and video samples. For more information, call Steffan at (716) 679-4311.