The sounds of the past cannot stay away from Athens. From the revival of swing to the advent of Dixieland, the area is getting its dose of musical history.

Athens' High Society Jazz Association presents the Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers from Huntington, WV, Sunday at the Ohio University Inn, 331 Richland Ave.

The Stompers play the richly toned standards from the historical Dixieland-era in the style of the Dukes of Dixieland and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, said Dale Jones, trombone and cornet player for the Stompers.

"I refer to it as a New Orleans style Dixieland. It's hard to define, but I would say we stay fairly traditional," Jones said.

In contrast with modern jazz, Dixieland is more upbeat and danceable.

With seven instruments, including a banjo, tuba and piano, the band will play for the first two hours of the session. An open jam session will take place following the band's performance.

This will be the first time the Stompers play together as a band in Athens.

In the past, several members have come up individually to play with Athens Dixieland Jazz Band, said Pat Light, the band's keyboardist.

Dale Jones and other local musicians started the Stompers in 1984. Jones and others were playing with various bands in the same region when they came together to form the Stompers to play Dixieland music.

"We do it for the sheer love of the music," Jones said. "We play Dixie when we get a chance. If we could play for 24 hours, we would."

The group has played in several locations around the region, such as Kent and Cincinnati, and as far south as North Carolina and Virginia. They also have entertained audiences on riverboats and at river festivals.

The High Society Jazz Association and the Stompers connected through the yearly musical session of the Coon Sanders Nighthawk Bash in Huntington when the Athens Dixieland Jazz Band performed there in the past.

Bruce Ergood, Ohio University sociology professor and clarinetist for the Athens Dixieland Jazz Band, said the band invites people from around the tri-state area to feature in their monthly sessions and offers the Athens community a chance to listen to different bands. The jam session is not restricted to Dixieland.

"We're there to support the High Society Jazz Club and to support music of this era," Jones said.

The Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers will be performing Sunday at Ohio University Inn. The performance starts at 1:30 p.m., and the open jam session starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. A $2 admission discount is available for those who have OU Inn brunch receipts.