Meet Don Erdman of Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz in Stone Mountain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Erdman.

Don, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I formed Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz in 1990 hoping to carry the early jazz of New Orleans to the 4 corners.

Jazz roughly began in the South and primarily in New Orleans around 1900. We have been lucky to be able to perform this music through the USA, Europe, and Asia over these past 27 years. It is a fun music to perform… full of energy, joy, and humor.

We found this music to have worldwide appeal, especially in Europe.

Hotlanta mirrors the early New Orleans bands featuring, clarinet, cornet, trombone, banjo/vocals, tuba, and drums. We have several recordings available of this six piece band as well trio and quartet recordings.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have booked all of our international tours without an agent. The challenge was making contact with festivals and club owners around the world and putting together a tour with little down time that would allow the band to be paid a fair income in addition to all the travel, lodging and food expenses.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We recreate the jazz music of 1900 -1935, America’s Jazz Age. From this music has evolved all of today’s jazz and pop styles. Jazz was the pop music of the early 20th century. It became loved (and hated) because it was a dance music that encouraged dancing as never before experienced. It appealed to the young and despised by the old.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Jazz today has a very limited appeal, and even more so Dixieland Jazz.

Pop, Rap, Country and Rock is what is sought out by today’s music lovers.

Jazz is relatively unknown and unappreciated by the younger generation.

However, I think a top-notch band with aggressive marketing can make a go of it in any city.

Contact Info:

• Website: hotlantajazz.com
• Phone: 770-595-9962
• Email: donerdman@aol.com

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