Extremity has found that folks around here like a little variety, so the five-piece jazz band has bowed down to the people's needs over the past 15 years.

According to drummer Chris Santiago, sets include (depending on venue and event) jazz standards like the unforgettable "Summertime," originals from their CD, Playing Our Dues, soft jazz dinner music, oldies, funk-fusion, and just straight-ahead jazz. The group is largely instrumental, but if the gig requires - for instance, concerts or weddings - the guys will hire dynamic vocalist Dred "Perky" Scott of Harrisburg or Tanya Drayden of York; Santiago may also sing from time to time.

Extremity's regular lineup includes Mack White on hand percussion, Don Carn on electric bass and violin, Mark Huber on keyboard and piano, and John Harris on sax and flute. The quintet also breaks down into a trio consisting of Carn, Huber, and Santiago. "I'm most satisfied when it feels as though all members of the band are playing on the same page," says Santiago, "and listening to each other ... We get a more congealed group effect that way - that energizes me."

Santiago claims there's been talk of another CD, "but nothing is formulated at this point. Extremity will continue to play Central Pa. venues, with appearances at the Berks Jazz Fest and Jazz Festival in Harrisburg. "We're just kinda plodding along on the regional scene," says Santiago. "Some of us have our hands in other projects ... we'll just continue to do gigging until we come up with definite plans.