The Blue Rhythm Boys: Harnessing Hokum And Swing

Enlarge Bonni Lloyd

Jim Stephanson and Tom Mitchell share guitar and vocal duties in The Blue Rhythm Boys.

Bonni Lloyd

Jim Stephanson and Tom Mitchell share guitar and vocal duties in The Blue Rhythm Boys.

The Blue Rhythm Boys' members — Tom Mitchell, Jim Stephanson, Vince McCool and John Previti — have been mixing Mississippi blues and swing on stages in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 20 years. Their latest CD together is titled Come On If You're Comin'.

Members of The Blue Rhythm Boys have played all over the world. Mitchell toured for nearly 10 years with Dan Hicks.

"I got to play in some very interesting places," he tells NPR's Neal Conan, adding, "I got to learn a lot about personal dynamics in a small van."

Stephanson plays mainly in the Washington, D.C., area.

"I do it mainly because I love it, and I get to play with guys like this that keep you inspired," Stephanson says. "You play for that time when the music happens, and you happen to be there."