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The New Orleans Jazz Vipers (Thursday)
Website | Myspace | Youtube
The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are a seven-piece swing band playing
regularly to enthusiastic audiences both in their hometown of New
Orleans and at festivals, Performing Arts Centers and clubs all over
the world. The band's repertoire includes well-known favorites and
obscure treasures from the songbooks of Billie Holiday, Duke
Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dicky Wells, Benny Carter, and Count
Basie, to name just a few.
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Gordon Webster (Thursday)
Amazon | Youtube
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
His featured guest at the festival, Steven Mitchell has appeared with the Gordon Webster group on several occasions. Their combined energy helped create an exhuberant atmosphere at Frankie's book signing afterparty in June 2007, and Sweden's Snowball event in December 2008.
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Photo by Sigrid Estrada
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David Ostwald's Gully Low Jazz Band (Friday Afternoon)
Inspired by the noble jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke
Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and their colleagues, David Ostwald’s Gully Low Jazz Band
breathes life and passion into America’s own great art form.
Since 1980, this acoustically electrifying group has appeared nationally and
internationally in varied settings - currently in the tenth year of an open-ended weekly
Wednesday evening engagement at New York City’s Birdland, at Lincoln Center’s
Midsummer’s Night Swing, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, at Jazz
in July at the 92nd Street Y, at Lionel Hampton’s New Orleans-style funeral procession, and
at four appearances since 2001 at Scotland’s Nairn International Jazz Festival. The band’s
guest musicians have included Wynton Marsalis, Dick Hyman, Jon Hendricks, Clark Terry,
Jon Faddis, and blues great Big Joe Turner, whose recording with the band, one of five it
has made, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1986.
In addition, the Gully Low Jazz Band strongly believes that children’s lives are
enriched by exposure to jazz music, and in this regard has presented numerous programs
for schoolchildren at the Louis Armstrong House in Corona, New York, and at Lincoln
Center’s “Meet the Artist” and “Real to Reel” series.
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The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn (Friday)
Myspace | Itunes | Youtube
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are an early jazz, swing, and blues band, composed of acoustic guitar/vocals, upright bass, homemade washboard percussion, trumpet and saxophone. Their repertoire of witty songs from 1920's and 30's is augmented by original tunes with moving yet often bawdy lyrics and catchy 4-part vocal harmony. Winners of the "Subway Idol" contest in 2007, the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are favorites everywhere they go, whether they are busking on the streets of NYC, playing jazz festivals or at their weekly Monday night gig at Chez Oskar in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
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Cangelosi Cards (Friday)
Blog | Down Home Radio | Youtube
New York City is home to the almost indescribable Cangelosi Cards. They are one of the most talked-about bands in today's lindy hop scene. Never stuck in a rut, the Cards play hot New Orleans-influenced jazz, smoldering blues, and everything in between. Their unique sound, with blazing harmonica and singer Tamar Korn — who can not only belt out a tune, but imitate the sounds of other instruments with her voice- will leave you amazed and shouting for more.
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Paul Tillotson (Friday)
Website | Itunes | CD Baby | Amazon | Youtube
Born in Boise, Idaho, Paul Tillotson has made New York City his home since 1989. The last of six kids, Paul started playing the piano at age ten. His first gig was playing juice harp with his mother on guitar in church. He returns to Idaho every winter to play for four months, with his trio, at the famous Sun Valley Lodge. Over the years, Tillotson has been celebrated for many successes - from his early self produced recordings to his live shows. He's played across America with such renowned performers as Gene Harris, Lynn Seaton, Vernel Fournier, Mike Merritt (Conan O'Brien Show), James Wormworth, Lew Soloff, Chris Minh Doky, Luther Hughes, Paul Kreibich, Matt Wilson, Aton Fig (David Letterman Show), Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live Band), Mark Pender, Jerry Vivinno, Red Hollaway, Jimmy Norman (The Coasters), Ernie Watts, Chris Botti (Sting) and Diana Krall. Tillotson has performed his music in "The Montreux Jazz Festival," "The Den Haag Jazz Festival," "The Jazz in the Canyon Festival," "The Gene Harris Jazz Festival" and "Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble." Paul is a Gene Harris protégé and dancer favorite in New York City.
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(Photo by Eli Pritykin)
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Ron Sunshine and Full Swing (Friday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Imagine how the jump-swing bands of the '30s and '40s would sound filtered through the sensibilities of a generation raised on rock and roll. Take a healthy dose of Rhythm & Blues, New Orleans funk, and downhome harmonica stomps; mix with the classics from the era of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Louis Jordan, Nat King Cole, and Fats Waller; stir in an ever-growing portion of strong original material, and you come up with FULL SWING. Audience members of all ages are getting hip to this timely tip. Six guys putting a new twist on the old standards, serving up some fresh ones, and having, in general, too much fun.
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Frank Foster and The Loud Minority (Saturday)
Website | Wikipedia | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Foster was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and educated at Wilberforce University. In 1949 he played in Detroit with local musicians such as Wardell Gray, and on finishing his military service in 1953 he joined Count Basie's big band. Aside from his tenor playing, Foster contributed both arrangements and originals to the band's book, including Frankie Manning's favorite song, "Shiny Stockings." When he left Basie in 1964, he worked as a freelance composer, providing material for such stars as Sarah Vaughn and Frank Sinatra. In 1986, Foster succeeded Thad Jones as leader of the Basie band, with which he stayed until 1995, since which he has led various small groups and revived The Loud Minority.
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George Gee & his Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra (Friday Afternoon, Saturday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
George Gee & his Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra deeply enjoy their hard-earned reputation as the swingin'-est, blowin'-est, hepp-est classic big band in New York City. And they take special pride in their ranking as the #1 swing dance band by legends like Frankie Manning and Dawn Hampton – and dedicated fans around the world. The band's repertoire focuses on the classic big band songbooks of legends like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and the Dorsey Brothers. |
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Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (Saturday)
Website | Youtube
The mission of the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra is to revive the music
of the Big Band Era and to preserve this music in its living form by
giving recognition to the following great creators: Count Basie, Duke
Ellington, Pops Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Earl
Fatha Hines, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, and others.
For several years, The H.R.O. was showcased at an established landmark
in Harlem called, Willie's Lounge. Willie's Lounge became a popular
spot for lindy hoppers and swing dancers as they danced to the sound
of The H.R.O. every Monday night. After the closure of Willie's
Lounge, the H.R.O. relocated to another famous landmark in Harlem,
Well's Restaurant. H.R.O. was showcased at Well's Restaurant every
Monday night and had an enormous following.
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Catherine Russell (Special Guest on Saturday)
Website | Amazon | Youtube
Vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker born with an enviable musical pedigree. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a pioneering pianist/bandleader and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, performed with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. Her two solo CDs, released on Harmonia Mundi's World Village label, have been met with international critical acclaim. Catherine has taken her show-stopping intensity to major events such as Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Chicago Blues Festival. Her artistry is apparent whether she's shimmying through a barrel-house stomper, channeling '50s R&B, torching a juke joint number, or kicking up her heels honky-tonk style.
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The Boilermaker Jazz Band (Sunday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
The Boilermaker Jazz Band is an ecstatically fun band performing authentic hot jazz and swing. Led by Paul Cosentino on the clarinet, the group has a wide repertoire that can make an audience swing to a classic jazz standard, get sentimental over an old-time ballad, boogie to a hot jump tune, or get low-down with a gritty blues.
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Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five featuring Hilary Alexander (Sunday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander, is a septet formed in 2002 by two dedicated swing dancers and vintage lifestyle enthusiasts as a way to expose dancers and listeners alike to some of the more interesting and under appreciated tunes from the swing era, while still being one of the most danceable bands playing swing today. The Campus Five has played every major swing dance venue from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and traveled to London, Washington, D.C., Honolulu, and San Francisco. Besides swing dances, they have been featured at jazz festivals such as the Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival (4 years running) and municipal functions such the Ventura County Lemon Fest (4 years running) and the Los Angeles Music Center's Dance Downtown. The Campus Five has released three albums, "Jammin' the Blues (2003), "Crazy Rhythm" (2004) and "Moppin' and Boppin" (2007) to glowing reviews. In fact, both albums are favorites of top swing dance instructors around the world.
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"Battle of the Bones"
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The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet will be adding Count Basie alum Benny Powell and Duke Ellington alum Art Baron for a truly royal "Battle of the Bones". These three trombonists are three of the best, most swingin' trombonists around and they will be pushing each other to the extremes in this battle!
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Wycliffe Gordon (Monday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, and the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics' Choice Award for Best Trombone. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" Series. Gordon's extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present.
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(Photo by Ryan Swift)
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Benny Powell (Monday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Born in New Orleans, Powell was a member of Lionel Hampton's big band and gained national attention during his twelve years with Count Basie. Since leaving Basie in 1963, Powell has enjoyed a diverse career. He has worked in orchestras for numerous Broadway shows, was one of the first jazz musicians to perform regularly on television as a member of The Merv Griffin Show band, and sometimes performed alongside the late bassist Earl May.
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(Photo by Ryan Swift)
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Art Baron (Monday)
Wikipedia | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Art Baron is an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music. He joined the Duke Ellington band in August 1973, at the age of 23, during the last year Ellington led the band, and was the last trombonist Ellington ever hired. He leads "The Duke's Men," a band made up of Duke Ellington band alumni. He has performed and/or recorded with Buddy Rich, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Illinois Jacquet, and Matt Glaser, among others.
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Houston Person Quartet (Monday)
Website | Itunes | Amazon | Youtube
Houston Person is a jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer best known for his work in soul jazz and swing Person is known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing. He received the Eubie Blake Jazz Award in 1982. He has more than 75 albums under his own name on Prestige, Westbound, Mercury, Savoy, Muse, and is currently with High Note Records. He has recorded with Lena Horne, Etta Jones, Lou Rawls, and more.
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Junior Mance (Special Guest on Monday)
Website | Amazon | Youtube
Junior Mance is one of the most accomplished piano players around, and is well-known for his soulful, bluesy and swingin’ style. Junior has played with a “who’s who” list of jazz greats, including Lester Young, Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley, and Dizzy Gillespie. Since the early 1960s, he has led his own trio, producing many songs that lindy hoppers dance to regularly. Over the past six years, the lindy community has been honored to have his presence at many big lindy events from New York to San Francisco. |
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Lavay Smith (Monday)
Website | Amazon | Youtube
Now based in the San Francisco Bay area, Lavay Smith, vocalist and bandleader of the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, grew up in Southern California and the Philippines. She is an internationally recognized jazz and blues diva, with a style influenced by Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith, Little Esther Phillips and other legends. Lavay has led her band on tours throughout North America and Japan and to numerous jazz festival appearances. In addition, she owns her own record label, Fat Note Records. Lavay's songs promote this independent spirit and sassiness, combining world-class musicianship with hilarious and provocative lyrics.
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Kim Nalley (Monday)
Website | Amazon | Youtube
"Hailed internationally as among the world's top jazz vocalists , sublime, gorgeous, Kim Nalley simply blows everyone away with absolute vocal opulence, unparalleled control, and hypnotic stage presence," says Robert Bozina for SCU Press. A formidable singer in any genre, she is best known as a triple threat that can spin heart breakingly gossamer ballads, gritty blues or blistering scat solos without ever losing the crowd's interest or the intense swing. As owner and artistic director of the historic North Beach jazz club Jazz at Pearl's (2003 to 2008), Nalley made an impact as a concert promoter and advocate for the San Francisco jazz scene. Short-listed for a Grammy, and awarded as one of the "Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area" and twice as "San Francisco's Best Jazz Diva," Kim Nalley is also known as a crackerjack swing and blues dancer.
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