Cocktail hours
Polished background jazz that gives a room energy without taking it over.
Live jazz · Denton, Texas
Denton Standard Time
Jazz standards, swing, blues and a few well-chosen barroom favorites—played with warmth, style and room to breathe.
FormatJazz Quartet
HomeDenton, Texas
StyleStandards & Favorites
Classic songs, fresh conversation
Easy to listen to.
Hard to sit still to.
Denton Standard Time is a North Texas quartet built around the timeless language of jazz: memorable melodies, relaxed swing and musicians listening closely to one another.
With vocals, guitar and a colorful mix of trumpet, trombone, flute and harmonica over bass and drums, the group can move naturally from an intimate dinner set to a lively social gathering—always musical, never overpowering.
Private events
A flexible set for celebrations, receptions, dinners and special occasions.
Community nights
Familiar music for clubs, neighborhood gatherings and social events.
Restaurants & bars
Standards, blues and barroom favorites with enough lift for a Friday night.
Four players · one conversation
The quartet
A compact lineup with an unusually broad palette—from brass and flute to vocals, guitar, bass and drums.
B
Trumpet · Trombone · Flute · Harmonica
Bruce Chidester
Bruce has performed with the Lawrance Welk Orchestra, Les Brown Orchestra, Ted Weems, The Rat Pack, All Hands on Deck, Les Elgart and has been a regular performer with the Bobby Vinton Orchestra for many years. He has also performed with many other well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician and John Davidson.
M
Vocals · guitar
Michael Edwin
Michael showed his love for music at an early age. Sneaking out of his home late at night, roaming the streets of New York City, leaning against the nightclub stage doors. He spent nights listening to the greats: Wilson Picket, Sam and Dave, Aretha Franklin, Blood Sweat and Tears, to name a few - listening and learning.
Starting his first band in high school - The Rip Chords. They played at Palisades Park, sharing the bill with the likes of The Swinging Blue Jeans (Hippy, Hippy Shake).
Michael went on to play guitar in the off-Broadway cast of Hair. Also, composing an opening prelude for the show.
Taking to the road with his next band - Jealousy, opening up for well-known acts such as: Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Buzzy Linhart, and Stanky Brown.
Moving to Texas, he co-founded the group - The Wave - opening up for legends such as: Mark O'Connor of The Dixie Dregs, getting his feet wet with his first taste of Jazz!
At this time, he also worked in record production and song writing for Multi-Media Productions. Some of his compositions recorded, (Jaclyn Smith, Anthony Watson…etc.) hitting the Top 40.
After the group broke up, Michael became an entertainment booking agent for Joan Frank Productions - booking the small to the great throughout the metroplex. Meanwhile, playing classical guitar at night. Making a name for himself as the only Italian Singer in the DFW area.
Michael is now semiretired - spending his days as a fiction writer and editor (35 books & one on the bestseller list). His nights are spent keeping up his chops as a Jazz guitarist.
L
Vocals · bass
Larry McCarley
Larry McCarley has spent a lifetime laying down the
foundation of great groove. Starting his musical journey at
just five years old, McCarley picked up the bass in 1980
and has been an indispensable force in the rhythm section
ever since.
With more than four decades of experience on the bass,
Larry's career spans an extraordinary range of musical
landscapes. He has brought deep pocket and steady timing
to everything from traditional country bands to high-energy
original rock projects and classic rock cover bands like
Railhead. His versatility and sensitivity as a bassist are
further highlighted by his work with eclectic ensembles,
including the Cindy Horstman Jazz Harp Trio.
Today, Larry remains active in the North Texas music
community, holding down the low end across classic jazz
and big band arrangements. He currently performs with
Denton Standard Time, the Robson Ranch Big Swing'n
Band, and the Robson Ranch Little Swing'n Band. Whether
driving a full swing orchestra or holding down a tight jazz
combo, Larry brings decades of passion, timing, and
dedication to every stage he touches.
S
Drums
Scott Chidester
Scott Chidester is a Denton-based drummer and percussionist whose versatile musical background spans jazz, rock, country, and classical percussion.
Scott earned his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa, where he studied with Randy Hogancamp and performed with UNI Jazz Band I and various jazz combos. Under the direction of Bob Washut, he toured Europe, performing at prestigious international jazz festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.
He continued his musical education at the University of North Texas, studying with renowned jazz drummer Ed Soph and performing with UNT's acclaimed lab bands, jazz combos, and percussion ensembles. After earning his master's degree, Scott established himself as a versatile performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, working extensively in country music while also performing with the Irving Symphony, Dallas Bach Society, and Dallas Jazz Orchestra.
Today, Scott brings his broad musical experience, dynamic touch, and deep appreciation for the jazz tradition to Denton Standard Time, providing the swing, groove, and rhythmic foundation that drive the ensemble's sound.
A set list that reads the room
Standards first.
Surprises welcome.
The repertoire lives in the heart of the Great American Songbook, then stretches into blues, Latin grooves, vocal features and recognizable bar favorites.
01Swing standardsEasy-moving classics and uptempo favorites
02BalladsWarm melodies with room for conversation
03Blues & shufflesA little grit when the room wants it
04Latin & bossaRelaxed rhythm and late-night color
05Barroom favoritesFamiliar tunes beyond the jazz book
Denton · Robson Ranch · North Texas
Put a little swing
in the room.
Denton Standard Time is available for community events, cocktail hours, private celebrations, restaurants and neighborhood gatherings.