The Clam Chowder Experience is a 5-piece band with a unique ukulele-driven sound, sweet vocal harmonies, a zany vibe, and an eclectic song list featuring vintage jazz, British music hall songs, and the occasional novelty tune.

The personnel:

Howard Finkel (tenor uke, banjo uke, vocals) played bass in several NYC bands and on European tours; his claim to fame is that he replaced Sting as the bass player in Cherry Vanilla. Howie got hooked on ukes 10 years ago and founded CCE when he moved to Asheville.

Jeff Hankin (uke bass) has a long resume as a percussionist and played drums locally with Swing Step and Blue Ridge Jazz. He took up electric bass several years ago and got a uke bass when his wife Charlotte took up uke playing (happy wife, happy life) Stewart Levine (drums) is a retired cardiologist who has played with The Doctor’s Orchestra in NYC, the Joy Project Jazz Quartet in Charleston, and many Asheville jazz combos.

Charles Singletary (keyboard, accordion, vocals) is a multi-instrumentalist who has played with gypsy jazz, flamenco, blues, country, and rock bands throughout the East Coast.
Charlotte Sommers (lead vocals, rhythm uke) is a jazz vocalist who has headlined at many Asheville area venues including Isis Music Hall, the Library Lounge at Biltmore Inn, The Phoenix in Brevard, and the Mars Landing gallery in Mars Hill.