Tuxedo Junction

Tuxedo Junction

Tuxedo Junction is a studio group created by A. J. Cervantes, Michael Lewis and Laurin Rinder. It works as a retro, big band-influenced disco project built around interchangeable session musicians and singers rather than a fixed touring line-up.

Formation and context

The project comes out of the production work of Rinder and Lewis, who develop several studio acts and record under related names. In the early 1970s they begin experimenting with disco elements, and by the late 1970s A. J. Cervantes, working as a promoter, asks them to produce for Butterfly Records. Tuxedo Junction becomes the first project for that label venture and is designed as a revival of swing and big band material adapted to dance music.

Musical approach

The group draws on songs from the 1930s and early 1940s, selecting material that can be reworked into dance arrangements. Rinder compiles a list of number-one songs from that era and the project uses original-style instrumentation and vocal treatment to recreate a big band sound in a disco setting.

Recordings

The project issues two albums: Tuxedo Junction and Take The A-Train. It also releases two 12-inch singles, “Take The A-Train” and “Moonlight Serenade”, both in 1978. The debut appears on gold vinyl and the second album on white vinyl.

Vocalists and personnel

The vocalists associated with the project are Sue Allen, Marti McCall, Jamie Edlin and Marilyn Jackson. The verified membership information also identifies Leisha Midge as a member.

Related artists

Tuxedo Junction sits alongside other Rinder/Lewis projects and related acts including El Coco, Le Pamplemousse, In Search Of Orchestra, St. Tropez and Rinder & Lewis. The producers also have links to Joshua, the rock group formed by Rinder and Michael Lewis.

Active period

The Tuxedo Junction project runs through the late 1970s and ends after its short series of releases, as changing tastes make the big band concept less viable.