It may not be New Orleans, but Des Moines still has all that jazz.

Tonight’s Jazz in July performance is the Des Moines institution known as The Maple Street Jazz band. Institution because, after more than a quarter century of playing, The Maple Street Jazz Band is still busting a groove.

“We’ve had some quit, and several have died,” band leader and trumpeter Dan Hartzer said of the passing years. “But we keep playing.”

What began as some teenagers fooling around eventually led to one of the capital city’s best known icons. With weekly gigs at area restaurants and backing Jim Zabel and guests on WHO’s “Beat the Bear,” this spirited group of guys have definitely kept their cool.

“Back in about 1961 or ’62 we started playing. We were just teenagers then,” Hartzer said. “Now we have a following and a full-fledged fan club.”

Hartzer said that while the love of jazz runs deep for the sextet made up of pianist/vocalist Bill Scarpino, bassist Mel Hrubetz, drummer Rick Wynant, trombonist Herald Stroasburg, Mike Aldrich on clarinet and Hartzer, they haven’t quit their day jobs.

“We have a lot of fun just playing peppy Dixieland music,” he said. “But we have regular jobs; this is just sort of a hobby — that’s lasted a long time.”

The years may have seen the passing of surf, disco and grunge music, but jazz has remained a constant. What hasn’t stayed the same is The Maple’s repertoire. “We add new songs as they come along,” Hartzer said. “If there’s a young crowd, we’ll play some things they recognize. But we always have our favorites.”

The Maple Street Jazz Band will perform tonight at Norwest Bank located at 2505 E. Euclid at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information on bands and locations of Jazz in July call 280-3222.