Peter Graves' Atlantean Driftwood Band

Peter Graves' Atlantean Driftwood Band Returns to Sanibel 10/21/17 for ONE SHOW ONLY

Under the direction of co-founder and conductor, Peter Graves, the Atlantean Driftwood Band was voted the Best Big Band Jazz Band in the South Florida Music Awards. Members of the band have recorded or performed with some of the top names in the entertainment industry including Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, George Benson, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Maynard Ferguson, Bee Gees, Stan Kenton, Rich and numerous others.

Jazz, funk and blues compositions scheduled to be presented include those by Jaco Pastorius, the bands original bass player, and current legacy band members Gary Lindsey, Mike Levine and Dan Bonsanti. 

Vocalist Dana Paul has been singing with the Atlantean Driftwood Band since shortly after it’s inception. Dana has been voted South Florida’s Best Male Jazz Vocalist & Best Male Pop/Rock/R&B Vocalist. The Sun Sentinel’s XS Magazine selected Dana as Best Male Vocalist in their 1995 issue. Recently Dana Paul has been heard throughout South Florida on radio and television commercials, as well as performing in regional theatre productions of Evita, A Little Night Music, Lil’ Abner, and most recently ADDlause. Says Ray Recchi of the Fort Lauderdale News/Sun-Sentinel. “...Paul is simply one of the best singers I’ve heard...”.

Begun in 1969 by music director and trombonist Peter Graves, the band has an impressive list of credits and personnel. Alumni include their original bass player Jaco Pastorius, guitarist Pat Metheny, and sax player Mark Colby. 

The Atlantean Driftwood Band has recorded two albums, “Melts In Your Mouth,” released in 1989, was received with great enthusiasm and critical acclaim. The band recorded their live debut album "Jazz On The Green" in 1982 at the Sanibel Island festival of the same name. 

The Atlantean Driftwood Band was the host band at the Sanibel Jazz On The Green festival for 15 years since it’s inception in 1980, an event that was a landmark in South West Florida music circles. The festival has featured some of the top names in jazz over the course of the years. Some of the artists that have been featured performing with the atlantean driftwood band include Bob James, Stanley Turrentine, “Toots” Thielemans, Randy Brecker, Chuck Mangione, Jon Hendricks, Jaco Pastorius, Randy Bernsen, Nat Adderly, Michael Brecker, Ira Sullivan and Eliane Elias. Other artists that have performed at the festival include Michael Franks, Spyro Gyra, Rippingtons, and Chick Corea.