The Skiffle Minstrels

Skiffle Minstrels pour heart, soul into music

The distance from Buffalo to Nashville is roughly 630 miles. Musically, however, a million miles lies between what the Skiffle Minstrels play and what passes for country music today.

"We're interested in making people dance. So it's really a swing band. That's what it's turned into," Todaro says. "We're really focused on the dancing. We're trying to create that at the event rather than play a 'concert' type of thing. What we really like to do is play for four hours nonstop and get people dancing."

The Skiffle Minstrels perform half originals and half covers of artists such as Texas swing king Bob Wills, country icon Hank Williams, Hank Snow and more.

Peppy originals like the twangy "All Night Diner" and the swingin' "No Destination" pay tribute to the masters.

"When we write, we model it after Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Hank Thompson -- all the Hanks," Todaro says.

Thing is, the Skiffle Minstrels infuse this old-time music with so much exuberance and heart their joy radiates from the stage.
- Dave Richards, Erie Time News

Gig History
The Skiffle Minstrels is based in Buffalo, NY. Since 2003 they have been playing locally and traveling the North East. Here is a partial list of where the band has been.
Buffalo, NY:
Bidwell Park Concert Series, Elmwood Ave Festival of the Arts (headliners for 3 years), Party for the Parks, Party on the Portico, WBFO on the Border (Live Radio) Sportsmen’s Tavern, Nietzsche’s, Allen Street Hardware, McGarretts, Mohawk Place, Central Park Grill, Tudor Lounge, Merge, Coco, Niagara University, Taste of Buffalo, Rock the Barn, Root 5, Armor Inn …

Rochester, NY:
Open Tunings with Scot Regan (live Radio), Lilac Festival, Corn Hill Festival, Abilene, Sticky Lips, Lovin Cup, Harmony House, Bop Shop (14 Fridays)

Ithaca, NY:
WVBR’s Bound for Glory (live Radio), WITH Rootabaga Boogie (live Radio), Maxie’s Supper Club, Oasis Dance Club, Lost Dog Café, Rongovian Embassy, The Pourhouse,

Festivals:
Greyfox Bluegrass (Catskills, NY), Bayou & Boogie (Rehoboth, MA), Great Blue Heron (Sherman, NY), North Fork Country Music Festival (Warsaw, NY), Riverside Music Festival (Erie, PA) The Dam Show (Austin, PA), Canandaigua Festival of the Arts (NY),

Concerts:
Wellsville Creative Arts Center (NY), Lee Whedon Memorial Library (Medina, NY), Batavia Free Concert Series (NY), Becker Farms (Gasport, NY), Boston Zydeco Dancers (MA), The Towers Concert Series (RI), Flying Bison Brewery (Buffalo, NY), Southern Tier Brewery (Jamestown, NY) Schulze Winery (Medina, NY)

Casinos:
Three years under contract with Seneca Nation and multiple appearances at Club 101 Niagara Falls and The Lounge in Salamanca - the skiffle minstrels

The Skiffle Minstrels have been playing weddings and private events all over for years. Here’s some “Happy Couple” testimonials.


'The Skiffle Minstrels were the perfect band to play at our wedding. They were so fun and entertaining, the dance floor was full all night long. Our guests of all ages enjoyed their country, honky-tonk style. They were extremely professional to work with and even contacted our venue to set up arrival time and details, leaving one less thing for us to do. They were also very reasonably priced making it an obvious choice over the typical wedding DJ. Our friends and family still talk about how great our wedding was, always including how much they loved the music.' -Laura and Bill Holtz (Buffalo, NY)
We have seen The Skiffle Minstrels play many times over the past few years. We picked them for our wedding because we knew that as soon as our guests heard them play, they would get up and dance. Plus, they played the most amazing, dramatic, and sensual klezmer-style hora- it was unforgettable! On top of being extremely talented musicians, the band is very professional and courteous. They played three killer sets and were very fairly priced. We just wish we had another excuse to hire them for a private show! - Anna Kaplan (Buffalo, NY)
The Skiffles did a wonderful job for us when they played at the wedding of our daughter Jocelyn to Devin Foran in July 2010. We had an outside wedding at our farm in Medina. All of the band members were very professional and kept the dance floor hopping all night. We had dancers from 4 to 80 years old out there having a good time. The Skiffles were a key element to our having a great reception. Many people stayed to celebrate for most of the night, because things were lively all evening. Thanks to the Skiffle Minstrels for providing the spark to get things going. Jocelyn is due to have twin daughters this January, probably just a little of that old Skiffle magic carried over. - Charlene and Jeff Smith (Ledge Rock Farms Medina, NY)
- Various

“The Skiffle Minstrels are a hard-working and crowd-pleasing bunch.” - Buffalo News Gusto

“A couple of us went to catch a show by the Skiffle Minstrels. The plan was to see some good music and talk about planning an event. Well, nothing got planned because we could not divert our attention from the band long enough. If you are ever looking for something fun to do [. . .] these guys are it.”
Buf falo Rising
- Buffalo Rising

“The Skiffle Minstrels play classic songs of classic songwriters, country blues, swing and honky-tonk, and originals which merit being played in the same sets as Hank Williams. It’s listening music, it’s dancing music played with energy and joy. I’ve also had the privilege of hosting them live on my radio show twice. They are great in the small radio studio, but the dance hall is their domain.” - Scott Reagan, WRUR Radio (Rochester, NY)