Hot Bijouxx is an entertaining throwback to Prohibition-era jazz. This energetic band plays a blend of French-gypsy swing waltz with a saucy musette style and a cool bossa nova sound. The group was nominated for a 2014 Lehigh Valley Music Award for Best New Album.

The band's summer tour kicked off on Bastille Day (July 14) and they returned to Musikfest for the third year. Past performances include Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, Riverside Festival of the Arts and the Doylestown Arts Festival.

Hot Bijouxx performs a tribute to jazz legend Josephine Baker in the "Jazz Upstairs" cabaret series, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown.

In an interview from his home in Easton, accordionist Dallas Vietty reveals that he and wife, Kristen, are finishing converting a school bus into a sustainable, live-in RV, called the Luna Bus, which they will take to New Orleans this winter.

Vietty's three band mates are from Pennsylvania: vocalist Najwa Parkins' hometown is in the Poconos, guitarist Ryan McNeely hails from West Chester, and drummer Kevin Ripley is from Doylestown.

Vietty likes to speak of the characteristics that each band member brings to the group, "I started on piano in college, but am most interested in French jazz accordion. It's a very uncommon instrument.

"Najwa loves to tell a story, like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. Ryan has been to Brazil, so he brings the bossa nova aspect. Kevin brings straight-ahead jazz and some funk."

Vietty credits Parkins for moving the group forward from 1930's music to 40's and 50's compositions.

As for the band's inspirations, Vietty says they are impressed by the jazzy funk sound of Swedish band, Dirty Loops. "They do contemporary jazz fusion," says Vietty. "The musicianship is really high. The arrangements are tight. They're fun and energetic. That's what I want Hot Bijouxx to be."

Says Vietty of Hot Bijouxx's tribute to jazz legend Josephine Baker, "[Her] era was the beginning of jazz but before bebop. People still study bebop today. Baker's music is almost archaic, so pre-improv, like early Broadway. So, it's very interesting and challenging for us. Her spirit comes through in our music.

"Our overall theme is very much like Baker's," adds Vietty. "She had the ability to continually find love and goodness in the face of adversity. And that's a wonderful message."

Hot Bijjouxx plans to spend the remainder of the summer performing in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia areas.

"Next year is the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday's birth," says Vietty. "We may do a tribute to Billie Holiday next."

Tickets: allentownsymphony.org, 610-432-6715