James ‘Posey’ Posedel
is a stride pianist and piano tuner / teacher from Asheville, NC. He is bandleader for: Posey Royale.
James has a deep appreciation for historically-based, dance-centric piano stylings of early jazz and swing pianists. He is dedicated to studying and preserving the nuanced stylings of history’s ’powerhouse’ piano players: Jellyroll Morton, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Teddy Wilson - those who could make the piano sounds like a veritable orchestra, or could tickle your expectations with that one perfectly-placed note.
James currently tours the US swing scene with an eclectic mix of jazz and swing ensembles. He leads and arranged music for his swing band, Posey Royale. He performs for dancers regularly with Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders and makes guest appearances with Jonathan Stout’s Campus 5 and The Mint Julep Jazz Band. He has been the featured pianist on multiple albums:
James performs regularly with:
Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders are a hard swinging and stylistically faithful ensemble created in the mold of the late 1930’s, early 1940’s dance band.
James has performed with the Rhythm Serenaders at the following dance and music events:
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, Lindy Focus, Nevermore, Swingout New Hampshire, All Balboa Weekend, DC Lindy Exchange, Rhythm Is Our Business, Jammin’ on the James, Knoxville Lindy Exchange, Atlanta Varsity Showdown, Pirate Swing, Bal-Ast Off, Music City Shuffle, Blue Ridge Bal, Hot Mess, Orlando Lindy Exchange, Swing Into Spring, SparX Lindy Exchange, and Classic City Swing.
Queen Bee and the Honeylovers is an unabashedly joyful swing band that performs all-original compositions with a dedicated ‘nod’ to the small-jazz-combo and 'hot club' legends who first defined the genre. The Honeylovers hail from Asheville, North Carolina; a Historic township where tradition collides with contemporary innovation to create *brand new* art and culture. Their arrangements are upbeat and nostalgic - with enough ‘sweetness’ for the whole hive. Vocal-driven with an infectious groove, the Honeylovers are guaranteed to put a grin on your face and a tap in your toes.
The Low-Down Sires are a traditional jazz band from Asheville. They specialize in the raucous sounds of early 1900’s New Orleans jazz: the oldie, moldy, early ‘roots’ of contemporary jazz and swing.
The Low-Down Sires have been a featured band at dance events across the country: Stompology, The Process, Blue Ridge Bal, My Lindy Kraze, Greenville Lindy Exchange, School of Hard Knox, Cincinnati Lindy Exchange, Richmond Lindy Exchange, and the Charleston Lindy Exchange.
James has also made appearances in jazz ensembles throughout the country: Jonathan Stout’s Campus 5 featuring Hilary Alexander, Russ Wilson’s Nouveau Passe Orchestra, The Asheville Jazz Orchestra, The House Hoppers, The Firecracker Jazz Band, Queen Bee and The Honeylovers, Michael ‘Falty’ Faltasek, and the Harlequin Jazz Band. James co-leads a monthly ‘swing jam’ for up-and-coming jazz musicians in Asheville.
He has made regular appearances at Swing Asheville, the Triangle Swing Dance Society, Gotta-Swing Charlotte, and the Piedmont Swing Society.
James currently offers piano lessons and tuning / moving / repair services throughout Western North Carolina.