Fats Waller interview

I just found a blog by Agustín Pérez called Mule Walk & Jazz Talk that posts a lot of old source material about my favorite periods in jazz (it's a great URL too). For instance, check out this 1943 New York Times interview with Fats Waller--Fats offers some frank opinions on the state of jazz at the time. And in an interview cited in another post, Leonard Feather addresses some of the same topics.

I've added Mule Walk & Jazz Talk to the blog roll on my side bar. Check it out!

(Hat-tip to Falty on SwingDJs.com for the link.)

Setlist from Swing Set at Pasha 12/16/2009

Tonight was my first time at Swing Set, the new Wednesday night venue in the West Loop. Big City Swing hosts the evening at a Spanish restaurant called Pasha. It's a very nice space: wood floors, tasty apps, plenty of space. The crowd was a mix of swing scene-sters (some that I see at Fizz, some from other places) and folks I'd never seen before, presumably drawn by the beginner lesson and strikingly handsome DJ. See below for my setlist, which started at about 8:45 and ran 'til 11:00. (And here's the bpm sparkline and frequency distribution.)

1. Solid As A Rock - Ella Fitzgerald - Swingin' Ella - 3:00 - 145 (This and the next couple songs try to match the vibe of the music used during the lesson.)
   
2. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling - Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats - 3:13 - 160
3. Mumbles' Blues - Stompy Jones - The Swing Session - 2:39 - 160
4. Cool Kind Of Poppa - Mildred Anderson - Person To Person - 2:57 - 140
5. Things Ain't What They Used To Be - Barbara Morrison - Live At The Dakota, Volume 2 - 3:42 - 135 (Next one is a Big City Swing stand-by tune.)
   
6. It's De-Lovely - The Boilermaker Jazz Band - Give Me Your Telephone Number - 4:04 - 150
7. Sure Had A Wonderful Time - Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan And His Tympani Five, Volume 1 - 3:00 - 135
8. Sent For You Yesterday - George Gee - If Dreams Come True - 3:32 - 165
9. Bli Blip - Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - Live In Swing City: Swingin' With Duke - 3:16 - 135
10. Corner Pocket - Count Basie - April In Paris - 5:07 - 140
11. Onion - Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five, 1938-1940 - 2:55 - 170
12. Big John's Special - Benny Goodman - B.G. In Hi-Fi - 3:08 - 183 (This one had a lot of people on the floor, seemed to me like they were into it. I took a gamble on the next one, thinking it might work with the newbies.)
13. As Long As I'm Singin' - The Brian Setzer Orchestra - The Dirty Boogie - 4:03 - 220 (It didn't take.)
14. Lavender Coffin - Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton Story 4: Midnight Sun - 2:47 - 135
15. She Likes to Boogie Real Low - The Four Charms - Triskaidekaphobia! - 2:21 - 150
16. My Bad Luck Soul - Janiva Magness Band - My Bad Luck Soul - 2:10 - 160
17. Jump Session - Slim Gaillard - 1938-1939 - 2:35 - 160
18. Strictly Jive - Chick Webb - Stomping At The Savoy (Disc 3) - 3:19 - 170
19. When The Lights Are Low - Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton Story 1: Hot Mallets - 2:14 - 185
20. Flat Foot Floogee - Ray Bryant - Swing Dance Special - 2:42 - 160 (Was planning to start a piano-vibe with this song. It turned out to be more of a Dixie-piano mashup.)
21. South - The Solomon Douglas Swingtet - Live at the Legion - 3:17 - 182
22. When I Take My Sugar to Tea - The Boilermaker Jazz Band - Jump for Joy - 4:00 - 165
23. Easy Does It - Paul Tillotson the Love Trio - Lindy Hop Blues - 2:57 - 130 (This track is a guaranteed floor-filler. I keep the groovy thing going.)
24. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - Nicolas Bearde - Live At Yoshi's - a Salute to Lou - 4:16 - 125
25. Rock Me All Night Long - The Fabulous Treniers - The Hoss Allen Sessions - 2:41 - 155
26. Hey, Good Lookin' - Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vols 1 & 2 - 2:10 - 175 (Mertz looked at me funny during this one. I admit that it was out of character for me.)
27. Hoodle-Addle - Ray McKinley Orchestra - You Came A Long Way From St. Louis - 3:21 - 140 (Starting a more classic jazz feel.)
28. Afternoon Of A Moax - Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra - Swing Street Strut - 3:24 - 130
29. Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt - Django Reinhardt 3: Minor Swing - 3:16 - 200
30. Sweet Georgia Brown - Benny Goodman Trio - Very Best of Benny Goodman - 3:07 - 175
31. A Viper's Moan - Willie Bryant And His Orchestra - 1935-1936 - 3:25 - 150 (Starting a reefer-jazz feel.)
32. It's You Who Taught It To Me - Fats Waller - The Unique Mr. Waller - 2:42 - 160
33. Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho - Sidney Bechet - Sidney Bechet: 1949 - 3:20 - 175
34. Back Bay Shuffle - Artie Shaw - His First Three Bands: 1936-1940 - 3:15 - 190
35. It Takes Two To Tango - Lester Young - Lester Young : 1951-1952 - 3:14 - 100
36. Tain't No Use - Maxine Sullivan - The Lady's In Love With You - 3:48 - 125
37. Down south camp meeting - Svend Asmussen - Still Fiddling - 3:41 - 145
38. Ain't She Sweet - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 3:13 - 120
39. Jump Through The Window - Roy Eldridge - Little Jazz Giant - 2:44 - 145 (The room is pretty mellow at this point--lots of folks sitting at tables and chatting.)
40. I Don't Care Who Knows - Catherine Russell - Sentimental Streak - 3:18 - 125
41. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Katharine Whalen - Jazz Squad - 2:48 - 130
42. All Of Me - Helen O'Connell - Great Girl Singers, Sing 22 Original Hits - 2:09 - 145
43. Savoy Blues - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen - Trad Jazz Masters - 3:53 - 135
44. Perdido Street Blues - Louis Armstrong - The Complete Decca Studio Master Takes 1940-1949 - 3:08 - 145
45. St. Louis Blues - Benny Goodman - Don't Be That Way - 3:49 - 130
46. I'm Alone Because I Love You - The Palmetto Bug Stompers - Live @ D.B.A. - 3:29 - 150 (Starting a New Orleans vibe, though it is interrupted by #48.)
47. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Papa Bues Viking Jazzband - Live In Copenhagen - 3:36 - 135
48. The Right Idea - Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra - Swing Street Strut - 2:30 - 175
49. Four Or Five Times - Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band - This Kid's The Greatest! - 3:14 - 142

Nighthawks write-up in NYTimes

There's a nice write-up of Vince Giordano's Nighthawks on the New York Times website. Interesting details about the band, including the fact that evidently Vince has one of the largest private collections of jazz-age sheet music in the world: 60,000-some pieces!

Looking forward to catching these guys when we're in New York in a couple weeks.

Fizz setlist 11/09/2009

Here's my set list from the late shift at Fizz last Monday. Not much to say about it, since it was an unusually slow night. I tried to keep things varied, but it is difficult if you don't have a certain critical mass of people. Instead of "reading the crowd" it becomes "reading the faces of a few people, guessing what they'd like to hear next." See below for my picks. And here's a BPM sparkline and frequency distribution.

1. Four Or Five Times - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 3:08 - 140
2. When You're Smiling - Benny Goodman - Small Group Recordings Vol. 3/2 - 2:37 - 156
3. Tears Of Joy - Janiva Magness Band - My Bad Luck Soul - 3:08 - 110
4. Daddy - Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - Miss Smith To You! - 4:39 - 126
5. Deep River - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 3:00 - 145
6. Stay Cool - Count Basie - Blues By Basie-One O'Clock Jump - 3:12 - 155
7. Snatch And Grab It - Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends - Kansas City's First Lady Of The Blues - 2:56 - 180
8. Shotgun Boogie - Paul Tillotson the Love Trio - Lindy Hop Blues - 2:55 - 165
9. When I Grow Too Old to Dream - Louis Armstrong - When the Saints Go Marchin' In - 3:58 - 150
10. Bye-Bye, Blackbird - Carmen McRae - The Diva Series - 3:27 - 136
11. Down south camp meeting - Svend Asmussen - Still Fiddling - 3:41 - 145
12. Flat Foot Floogee - Ray Bryant - Swing Dance Special - 2:42 - 160
13. Honeysuckle Rose - Django Reinhardt - The Swing Sessions Volume 1 - 2:49 - 180
14. Oh! Lady Be Good - Artie Shaw - Perfect Swing - 3:11 - 205
15. Betcha Nickel - Ella Fitzgerald - My Heart Belongs to Daddy - 2:51 - 160
16. Cole Slaw - Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan And His Tympani Five, Volume 1 - 2:44 - 135
17. Splanky - The Solomon Douglas Swingtet - Live at the Legion - 4:31 - 135
18. Summertime - Gordon Webster - Happy When I'm With You - 4:04 - 120
19. Massachusetts - Maxine Sullivan And Her Jazz All-Stars - Memories Of You - 3:16 - 145
20. El Salon De Gutbucket - Engelbert Wröbel's Swing Society - Sophisticated Swing - 5:16 - 140
21. Oh I'm Evil - Una Mae Carlisle - Una Mae Carlisle: 1938-1941 - 2:25 - 150
22. Jump Session - Slim Gaillard - 1938-1939 - 2:35 - 160
23. Ballin' The Jack - Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band - This Kid's The Greatest! - 3:15 - 145
24. I'm Alone Because I Love You - The Palmetto Bug Stompers - Live @ D.B.A. - 3:29 - 150
25. Keepin' Out A Mishif Now - Carling Family - 20th Jubilee - 3:32 - 120
26. Ain't She Sweet - Jimmie Lunceford - Jimmie Lunceford - 2:28 - 145
27. One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie - Swinging The Blues: 1930-1939 - 3:03 - 171
28. King Porter Stomp - Benny Goodman - Ken Burns Jazz - 3:11 - 180
29. Callin' Your Bluff - Mills Blue Rhythm Band - Mills Blue Rhythm Band: 1933-1936 - 3:00 - 190
30. Hotcha Razz-Ma-Tazz - Cab Calloway - The Early Years 1930-1934 - 3:15 - 205
31. Sassy's Blues - Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan's finest hour - 5:37 - 130

Setlist from First Free Church 11/7/2009

Last Saturday I split the DJing duties with my friend Chris, which was fun. Chris went ULHS in New Orleans, and while he was there he went on a buying spree, picking up albums from a bunch of local musicians. He brought me an album by the Palmetto Bug Stompers that I'm enjoying as I write this.

We went back and forth pretty casually--it ended up being about half-hour chunks. Chris was kind enough to send me his setlist, so see below for the complete setlist. However, this sparkline and frequency distribution only report the BPMs from my tracks, not all of them.

I kicked things off with:

1. My Baby's Sweet - Stompy Jones - The Swing Session - 3:08 - 155
2. You Talk a Little Trash - Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five - Crazy Rhythm - 3:55 - 170
3. Five Feet Two, Eyes Of Blue - Creole Jazz Band - Jazz Del Bueno Para Bailar - 2:57 - 180
4. Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today - Benny Goodman - B.G. In Hi-Fi - 3:05 - 155
5. Papa's In Bed With His Britches On - Cab Calloway - Are You Hep To The Jive? - 2:32 - 167
6. Let's Misbehave - The Boilermaker Jazz Band - You Do Something To Me - 2:52 - 188
7. Georgia Swing - Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen - Trad Jazz Masters - 2:40 - 205
8. Ain't Misbehavin' - Kermit Ruffins - Putumayo Presents: Kermit Ruffins - 4:36 - 140
9. Cole Slaw - Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan And His Tympani Five, Volume 1 - 2:44 - 135
10. Rock A Beatin' Boogie - The Deep River Boys - London Harmony - 2:34 - 170

Then Chris added:

1. The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts to You) - Louis Jordan and his Tympani Five - Let the Good Times Roll: The Anthology 1938-1953
   
2. Down in New Orleans - Fritzel's New Orleans Jazz Band - Fritzel's New Orleans Jazz Band
3. Rhythm Itch - Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five - Moppin' and Boppin'
4. How Come You Do Me Like You Do - Palm Court Jazz All Stars - Palm Court Jazz All Stars, Vol. 4
5. Sent for You Yesterday - Count Basie - Jazz Archive Masterpieces, Vol. 8
6. Chant of the Groove - Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin'
7. Jump Session - Slim Gaillard - 1938-1939
8. Dunkin' a Doughnut - Andy Kirk - The 12 Clouds of Joy
9. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho - Sidney Bechet - Petite Fleur
10. Sugar Foot Stomp - Franz Jackson and the Original Jass All Stars - No Saints
    

Then I took over with:

1. Bucket Got a Hole In It - Kid Ory - In the Forties - 2:30 - 144
2. Didn't He Ramble - Kermit Ruffins - Livin' A Tremé Life - 5:51 - 180
3. Flat Foot Floogie - Louis Armstrong, The Mills Brothers - Swinging With The Mills Brothers - 3:02 - 185
4. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby - Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan And His Tympani Five, Volume 1 - 2:45 - 135
5. What Goes Up Must Come Down - Kay Starr - The Best of The Standard Transcriptions - 2:35 - 140
6. Calloway Boogie - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway - 4:02 - 175
7. When You're Smiling - The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn - Forty Days and Forty Nights - 3:51 - 215
8. He Ain't Got Rhythm - Jennie Löbel & Swing Kings - Hep Cat's Best Of Modern Swing - 2:52 - 178
9. Artillerie Lourde - Django Reinhardt - Django In Rome, 1949 / 1950 (Disc D) - 3:45 - 150
10. Lady Be Good - Svend Asmussen - Musical Miracle Vol. 1: 1935-40 - 2:56 - 180

Chris followed up with:

1. Lady Bug Picnic - The Palmetto Bug Stompers - Live @ D.B.A.
2. Doin' the New Low Down - Palm Court Jazz All Stars - Palm Court Jazz All Stars, Vol. 4
3. Sing You Sinners - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra - Big Ben, Disc. 1
4. Southside - Franz Jackson and the Original Jass All Stars - No Saints
5. Jeep Jockey Jump - Glenn Miller - 3049505
6. Shoo Fly Pie - Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five - Jammin' the Blues
7. Taking a Chance on Love - Palm Court Jazz All Stars - Palm Court Jazz All Stars, Vol. 4
8. A-Tisket A-Tasket - Ella Fitzgerald - Ken Burns' Jazz: Ella Fitzgerald
9. T'ain't What You Do - Jimmie Lunceford - Lunceford Special 1938-40
10. All Right Okay You Win - Count Basie - Count Basie at Newport
11. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - Lionel Hampton - Jukebox Hits 1943-1950
    

I finished out the night with:

1. Till Tom special - Charlie Christian - Six-appeal - 3:01 - 175
2. Oh I'm Evil (Walker) - Una Mae Carlisle - Una Mae Carlisle: 1938-1941 - 2:25 - 150
3. Twenty Four Robbers - Gordon Webster - Happy When I'm With You - 2:39 - 205
4. South - The Solomon Douglas Swingtet - Live at the Legion - 3:17 - 182
5. Something Got A Hold On Me - Carrie Smith - Gospel time - 3:09 - 137
6. Trickeration - Cab Calloway - The Early Years 1930-1934 - 2:57 - 260

Setlist from First Friday at Big City Swing

Last night we had two floors going at Big City. I kicked things off upstairs, and by "kicked things off" I mean "played music and danced with my wife until more people showed up." It took a while for people to trickle in from downstairs (which was packed). Though it never got very crowded upstairs, it was good dancing and nice company. Jason took over for me after a while. At 10:30 everybody marched back downstairs for the Graduation Dance, and then I took over the downstairs music. The rest of the night it was crowded and lively--a really fun vibe.

DJing upstairs (mostly for dancers I'm good friends with), I didn't think too hard about song selections. Since it was so informal, I pretty much just played my latest favorites and tried to keep the followers happy by dancing a bunch, getting very sweaty in the process. Once I got downstairs, I had to focus more, paying attention to the floor, transitions between songs, balance, all that good DJ stuff. More comments below in the setlist. Here's the BPM sparkline and frequency distribution. And here are my contributions to the evening's music:

1. I Never Knew - Benny Goodman - 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert Plus 1944-47 - 3:05 - 170
2. My First Impression of You - Chu Berry - Classic Chu Berry Columbia and Victor Sessions - 2:52 - 145
3. St. Louis Blues - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra - Benny Goodman - Very Best of Benny Goodman - 3:24 - 135
4. Mood Hollywood - Bunny Berigan - The Key Sessions 1932-1933 (Disc B) - 2:58 - 190
5. Clementine - Duke Ellington - The Blanton-Webster Band - 2:59 - 165 (More folks start to drift in...)
   
6. Sweet Sue - Svend Asmussen - Musical Miracle Vol. 1: 1935-40 - 2:55 - 185
7. Four Or Five Times - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 3:08 - 140 (First of several tracks off this album that I played)
8. When I Grow Too Old To Dream - Benny Goodman - B.G. In Hi-Fi - 3:25 - 160
9. Rose Room - Artie Shaw - Artie Shaw, King Of The Clarinet - 2:43 - 155
10. Froggy Bottom - Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy - Kansas City: Swing, Blues, Jive & Boogie - 3:05 - 150
11. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans - Bill Coleman - Bill Coleman In Paris 1936-1938 - 3:17 - 175
12. Hey, Ba-Ba-Re-Bop - Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton Story 3: Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop - 3:21 - 140
13. Apollo Jump - Lucky Millinder - Classic Big Band Jazz - 3:26 - 145
14. Who Ya Hunchin'? - Chick Webb - Jazz After Hours - 2:55 - 175 (This incited a Tranky Doo.)
15. Duke's Place - Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington - Compact Jazz - 4:14 - 160
16. Jive At Five - Count Basie - The Complete Decca Recordings - 2:51 - 175
17. Dippermouth Blues - Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band - Vol. 3: Stomps, Etc...& The Blues - 2:50 - 185
18. Mary Had A Little Lamb - Teddy Wilson - Teddy Wilson, His Piano Orchestra With Billie Holiday - 2:58 - 205
19. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Papa Bues Viking Jazzband - Live In Copenhagen - 3:36 - 135
20. Easy Does It - Paul Tillotson the Love Trio - Lindy Hop Blues - 2:57 - 130
21. But She's My Buddy's Chick - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 2:48 - 130
22. How Big Can You Get? - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway - 4:05 - 160 (Yes, you read that correctly. It's Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Jason took over for me from here.)

Downstairs, after the Graduation Dance:

1. Oo Poppa Do - Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - One Hour Mama - 3:13 - 160 (I really like how the next 6 songs worked out--starting with a jump-bluesy feel, transitioning to powerhouse big bands. )
2. My Bad Luck Soul - Janiva Magness Band - My Bad Luck Soul - 2:10 - 160 (Where did I hear about Janiva Magness? I can't remember--might just have stumbled across her while browsing eMusic. Regardless, she's awesome.)
3. Rock Me All Night Long - The Fabulous Treniers - The Hoss Allen Sessions - 2:41 - 155
4. Smack Dab In the Middle - Count Basie - Count Basie at Newport - 3:38 - 124
5. Jump Through The Window - Roy Eldridge - Little Jazz Giant - 2:44 - 145
6. Tain't What You Do - Sy Oliver - Sy Oliver et son orchestre: 1949-1952 - 3:07 - 155 (This is a brassy version of TWYD from 1950. Despite the different recording, people still shim-shammed. )
   
7. Miss Brown To You - Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - Miss Smith To You! - 2:58 - 130

Jason took over for me at this point (about 11:15) and went until around 11:50.

1. Your Mind Is On Vacation - Lyambiko - Shades Of Delight - 3:31 - 120 (Hat-tip to Hey Mr. Jesse.)
2. Flat Foot Floogee - Ray Bryant - Swing Dance Special - 2:42 - 160
3. Ballin' The Jack - Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band - This Kid's The Greatest! - 3:15 - 145
4. I Love Being Here With You - Ernestine Anderson - Ernestine Anderson - The Concord Jazz Heritage Series - 3:39 - 130 (Last "official" song of the night. The next three are exit music.)
5. Got My Own Thing Now - Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hot - 2:30 - 260
6. Something's Changed - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights - 2:56 - 100
7. Who's Making Love - Johnnie Taylor - Stax Gold - 2:50 - 115

Upcoming events

Here's your heads-up/advance warning...

Next weekend I'm DJing all over the place, practically all weekend long.

• Friday night (11/6) I'll be at Big City Swing for their First Friday Dance, which is back to TWO floors this month! My friend Jason and I will be upstairs, Nathan will be downstairs. Beginner lesson at 8:00 p.m., dancing 8:45-12:00. $10.
  
• Saturday night (11/7) I'll be at the First Free Church dance, trading tunes with my friend Chris (a.k.a., "The Man with the Middles"). Beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m., dancing 7:30-10:00 or later. Free.
• Monday night (11/9) I'll be at Fizz for the late shift. Chris has the early set--hopefully we won't be sick of each other by then. Special beginner lesson at 8:00 p.m., dancing 9:00-1:00. $6.
  

Fizz setlist 10/19/2009

Interesting time at Fizz last night. Doberman had the early shift (which is a bit unusual). Starting about 10:40, we traded pairs of songs, which was fun and kept me on my toes. He started out in a bluesy mood with Ruthie Foster's "Death Came a-Knockin'", which has intense vocals and a sparse arrangement, then another blues song. I followed up with 1 & 2 below. He responded with two tunes from a Hungarian Dixieland jazz band--I'll have to get the exact name from him. I responded with more Dixie for number 3, then some Louis Armstrong. He finished out with "Hymn to Freedom" played by some artist other than Oscar Peterson. I kicked off my set proper with #5, a classic small-group session that is jazzy but not overly energetic--I didn't want to shock people too much.

As I was DJing last night I kept thinking, Oh man, all these songs are all mellow/minor/bluesy-sounding--I should really play some "brighter"-sounding stuff. But I kept coming back to mellow and minor. Not as much variety as I would have liked, but it seemed to fit the room. (Maybe my perception was colored by my mood?) I also got several requests for some up-tempo or "balboa tempo" music, which is pretty amazing. Happy to oblige.

Set list below. Here's the bpm sparkline and frequency distribution.

1. Your Mind Is On Vacation - Lyambiko - Shades Of Delight - 3:31 - 120
2. Shotgun Boogie - Paul Tillotson the Love Trio - Lindy Hop Blues - 2:55 - 165
3. Give My Regards To Broadway - Pete Fountain - Dixieland's Kings - 2:37 - 170
4. Honeysuckle Rose - Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats - 2:56 - 170
5. Ain't Misbehavin' - Benny Goodman - Benny Goodman et son orchestre: 1945 Vol.2 - 2:47 - 120 (First song of my proper set. Starting out chill so as not to shock people after "Hymn to Freedom." From here, I start a slow build.)
   
6. Down south camp meeting - Svend Asmussen - Still Fiddling - 3:41 - 145
7. Stay Cool - Count Basie - Blues By Basie-One O'Clock Jump - 3:12 - 155
8. Rhythm Itch - Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five - Moppin' and Boppin' - 3:11 - 170 (The build doesn't last very long. The room seemed to need a breath about here, so I slowed it down.)
9. How'dja Like To Love Me? - Maxine Sullivan - The Lady's In Love With You - 2:58 - 130
10. My Daddy Rocks Me - Benny Goodman - Benny Goodman et son orchestre: 1945 Vol.2 - 2:48 - 100
11. On The Sunny Side of the Street - Benny Goodman - The Yale University Archives, Volume 3: Big Band In Europe - 3:11 - 135 (I decided here to play some old school music. Tutti Frutti transitions to some dark-sounding late 30's/early 40's jazz.)
12. Tutti Frutti - Slim Gaillard - 1938-46 - 2:38 - 170
13. Ochi Chornya - Wingy Manone (trompette) Et Son Orchestre - Wingy Manone: 1940-1944 - 2:54 - 165
14. Perdido Street Blues - Louis Armstrong - The Complete Decca Studio Master Takes 1940-1949 - 3:08 - 145 (I try to brighten the mood with the next one, but then right after that I decide that I really want to play Summertime--back to mellow and bluesy.)
15. Solid As A Rock - Ella Fitzgerald - Swingin' Ella - 3:00 - 145
16. Summertime - Gordon Webster - Happy When I'm With You - 4:04 - 120
17. Midnight At The Mill - The Four Charms - The Four Charms - Flatland Boogie - 3:55 - 154
18. Rumble - Sy Oliver - Yes Indeed - 3:55 - 130 (Trying to inject some higher-energy stuff in with 18 through 21. In retrospect, 19 was a poor choice.)
    
19. Pennies From Heaven - Dinah Washington - Mixed Emotions - 2:19 - 155
20. Let The Good Times Roll - Helen Humes - Let The Good Times Roll - 3:02 - 155
21. Chicken Shack - Pinetop Perkins - Ladies Man - 4:28 - 115 (...but then back to bluesy-sounding with Earl Grant.)
22. Sermonette - Earl Grant - Singin' & Swingin': The Best Of Earl Grant - 2:42 - 125
23. Life Begins When You're In Love - Billie Holiday - Lady Day: The Master Takes And Singles - 3:02 - 180
24. A Viper's Moan - Mora's Modern Rhythmists - Call Of The Freaks - 3:30 - 140
25. It's You Who Taught It To Me - Fats Waller - The Unique Mr. Waller - 2:42 - 160
26. Harlem Shout - Jimmie Lunceford - Jimmie Lunceford - 3:02 - 195 (People were spontaneously clapping along with this one. I took that as a good sign and pushed the tempo even more.)
27. Swingtime in the Rockies - Bernard Berkhout's Swing Orchestra - nieuw album_41 - 3:15 - 220 (This was one of those borderline-jam situations, where the DJ needs to decided whether to push it and get people to jam, or lay off and get everyone back on the floor. I opted for the latter, though it was close.)
28. Rose Room - Artie Shaw - Artie Shaw, King Of The Clarinet - 2:43 - 155
29. Splanky - The Solomon Douglas Swingtet - Live at the Legion - 4:31 - 135
30. Who Walks In When I Walk Out? - Louis Armstrong - The Wonderful Duets - 2:21 - 135
31. I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me - Sidney Bechet - Jazz in Paris: Sydney Bechet et Claude Luter - 2:40 - 145
32. The Back Room Romp - Duke Ellington - The Duke's Men: The Small Groups, Vol. 1 - 2:49 - 150
33. Chant Of The Groove - Fats Waller - Fats Waller 1941 - 3:05 - 185 (I still can't get enough of this song.)
34. Buzz-Buzz-Buzz - Jimmie Lunceford - Jimmie Lunceford - 2:27 - 160
35. Man from Mars 205 - Artie Shaw - Artie Shaw, King Of The Clarinet - 2:19 - 205 (I cut this version from 4 minutes down to 2 to use for a routine--I think it worked out well for the social dancers too.)
36. 9:20 Special - Engelbert Wröbel's Swing Society - Sophisticated Swing - 4:00 - 175
37. Sassy's Blues - Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan's finest hour - 5:37 - 130
38. My First Impression of You - Chu Berry - Classic Chu Berry Columbia and Victor Sessions - 2:52 - 145

Annette Hanshaw - Lovable and Sweet

Available on Amazon, EMusic, and iTunes.

"...Watch your husbands, ladies, 'cuz here's Annette Hanshaw with a complexion like peaches and a voice like smooth honey..." (This is how the announcer introduces Hanshaw's vocal here.)

This track was recommended by Steven in Norway and also (independently) by my friend Jason. The tune is sung by Annette Hanshaw, a very popular female singer from the 1920's. I'd never heard of her before. This isn't exactly the jazz that you're used to--it sits on the borderline between early jazz and the "pop" music of that era--though there are a lot of jazz inflections in it. It's also not exactly what I would call swing dancing music, though it does make me want to dance. Maybe a nice foxtrot with some improvising during the horn, sax, and trombone solos. However you classify it though, I'm basically a sucker for this sort of music. When I heard Annette Hanshaw's voice, I was captivated immediately. Hook, line, and sinker. It's charming, nuanced, and also kind of wily--like a girl who knows a lot more than you about the ways of the world, but doesn't go parading it around.

At least in my scene, I would only play this at a dance if I knew that the crowd was receptive and the mood called for it. But that said, I think that since this style of music was part of the milieu of the jazz era, it's not only appropriate for dancing, it's actually enriching, a good challenge for people, and a pleasant change of mood. Foxtrot and ballroom/"society" dances preceded the swing dances, and they were part of the culture into which lindy hop was born. There's only two leaders in our scene (that I know of at least) who will lead a foxtrot when the music calls for it. I wish there were more.

On a completely different note, there must be something about Annette Hanshaw in the air right now. Jason told me about this very peculiar film called Sita Sings the Blues, which makes use of Annette Hanshaw's music to re-tell an ancient Hindu epic story called the Ramayana and the story of how the film's creator was rejected by her husband. The way the story sets up and uses the musical numbers, and the way those numbers are animated, is pretty amusing. It's an odd little movie. You can watch it all on Youtube (here).

EMusic bargain on Benny Goodman

Holy Cow! You can get Benny Goodman: 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert Plus 1944-47 Small Group And Big Band Masterpieces, which contains over 3 1/2 hours of music (65 tracks), for 12 credits. This works out to about $7.00 total or $0.11 per track (though costs may differ depending on your EMusic plan). The sound quality isn't ideal, but I'd say that most of the tracks are still playable, especially the small group recordings.

If you're looking for some nice jazz to play in the background...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)

"Jazz to play in the background" sounds vaguely derogatory, though I don't mean it to be. I really mean "jazz that's meant to be enjoyed while sitting and listening." Practically speaking though, that often ends up being while I'm doing the dishes or putzing. Frankly, most of my knowledge about jazz runs dry after about 1950, but I still like listening to music from later periods. Here are some of my personal favorites, with little rhyme or reason behind their mention.


...and are looking for some very accessible jazz albums, just to stick a toe in the water...

• Do you have a copy of the top-selling jazz record of all time (and probably forever to come)? If not, stop reading this and go purchase a copy of the Miles Davis masterpiece Kind of Blue immediately. Listen to it several times and then we can talk some more.
• Do you have a copy of Ella and Louis? What about Ella and Louis Again? The two most recognizable, most loved voices in jazz history (suck it, Sinatra!) sing some of the best popular songs ever written. Many of the songs are actually danceable too, but I mention these albums here because the music is so captivating, it is worth listening to them without any distractions. Plus, the voices are backed by the Oscar Peterson trio, a masterful group in their own right, and amazing in their supporting role here.

...and want some great female vocals...

• It's not a cliche. Billie Holiday is not just for sensitive, wine-drinking romantics. Get yourself some of her music and see why Billie is for everybody. One good starting point is the disc A Musical Romance, which highlights the special musical rapport she shared with saxophonist Lester Young.
  
• Sarah, for Sarah Vaughan, is often the third name mentioned in the same breath as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Sarah's style differs from the others because she is a bit younger than Ella and Billie, and never sang with the classic big bands of the 1930's. She came up with a different generation of musicians who were busy inventing bebop, the challenging, sophisticated style of jazz that would really take hold after World War II. The timbre of Sarah's voice (the slight shadings and coloring of the notes she sings) is amazing and unique. Try the album Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown, which has many ballads that really highlight her strengths.
  
• For a completely different sort of vocal, check out Carmen McRae. Like Sarah Vaughan, her style is more related to bebop and later styles than to big band jazz. She is fascinating to listen to because she has a totally original, very personal interpretation of the songs she sings. She breaks the rules and sings just what she wants, even if it is dissonant or intentionally painful or even ugly-sounding. I recommend her albums Sings Lover Man and Other Billie Holiday Classics and Carmen Sings Monk. The latter is interesting because she sings lyrics to many (originally instrumental) tunes by Thelonius Monk, one of the giant figures of modern jazz.
  
• I also love Anita O'Day, who is a complete original yet again. At a dance, you may have heard her singing "Let Me Off Uptown" with Roy Eldridge and the Gene Krupa Orchestra, but much of her interesting material is less pop and more in-your-face jazz. Her voice, style, and interpretation are like Carmen McRae's in a way, in that they are totally unique and her own--she doesn't actually sound anything like Carmen. I don't have a great album recommendation for Anita O'Day, but you might try a compilation or best-of album like Anita O'Day's Finest Hour. (And if you fall in love with Anita like I did, check out Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer, a documentary about her life. I posted about it here.)
  

...and want some great male vocals...

• Joe Williams, the main vocalist with the New Testament Count Basie big band, had a warm, dignified, and charming voice. On his album Nothin' But the Blues, he stretches out with a small jazz combo, giving him a chance to show off his mastery of jazz and scat.
  
• Jack Teagarden was a trombone player and band leader during the big band era. He also happened to have a great baritone voice, with a Texas drawl and a world-weary quality that complemented the voice of his friend Louis Armstrong very well (the two sang together in their later years). His album Mis'ry and the Blues, recorded late in his career, is an intimate and melancholy session. Teagarden's instrumental solos are stunning in their virtuosity, and his vocals are steeped in blues.
  
• Kevin Mahogany is a contemporary jazz vocalist with an amazingly deep voice, like the Barry White of jazz. I recommend his album Another Time Another Place, and especially the slow, after-hours ballad "Goodbye Porkpie Hat," a tribute to Lester Young. Like the Carmen McRae album I mentioned above, the tune comes from an instrumental modern jazz recording (by Charles Mingus), but with lyrics added to it. Same thing is true of "Parker's Mood," which is from a Charlie Parker record.

...looking for some ivory-ticklers...

• Pianist Junior Mance began his career in the early 1950's, and is still going strong today. He has even played at several lindy hop events in New York City. His album Sweet and Lovely features tunes ranging from blues, to classics from the swing era (including Main Stem and Swingmatism), to bebop standards.
  
• Ray Bryant is another favorite pianist among lindy hoppers. His most famous tune might be "The Madison Time" (yes, the one that goes with the line dance). I really like his album Alone with the Blues--it's a recording of him alone at the piano, playing a variety of tunes that all have a blues feeling to them.
  
• Duke Ellington's reputation is largely due to his work as a composer and band leader; serious people who are mostly interested in classical "art" music have nonetheless called him the greatest American composer of the 20th century. But he could also play the piano a bit. The album Live at the Whitney finds Duke without his big band, backed only by bass and drums, playing his own compositions--some well known, some obscure. The album also captures some of his banter with the crowd, giving you a glimpse of his impeccable manners, wit, charm, and aristocratic demeanor.
  
• Sticklers and snobs would probably classify Dr. John under rhythm and blues, not Jazz, but I don't care. He's an incredible piano player, who knows how to play music that moves and rolls. He plays and sings traditional blues songs, gospel, and rock-and-roll on Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack: The Legendary Sessions, Vol. 2. (The title of the album is a joke--Dr. John's real name is Mac Rebennack.)
  

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.

...if Blues is your middle name...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)

I love blues, but I'm no expert on the music and I've never actually DJed for blues dances. Since I'm not any sort of authority, I asked someone who knows what she's talkin' 'bout to help me pick some good starter albums for blues dancing. My friend Sara Cherny is a fabulous blues dancer, instructor, and organizer on the Chicago scene. (In fact, she's giving a dance workshop called Blues for One coming up this Sunday, Sept. 27th--details here.) We put our heads together and came up with a few recommendations:


...if you like it Chicago-style, with plenty of guitar...

• Sara explains: to me, Chicago-style blues means a solid, driving beat and a full, amplified sound. Everything is electric: most importantly, the lead and bass guitars, but also sometimes keys, horns, and harmonica.
• Muddy Waters is the father of Chicago blues. Like many of his contemporaries, he actually grew up in the South, soaking in the sounds of the Mississippi delta before moving north. The amplified, aggressive sound that he developed became the signature style of Chicago. His band included some of the most talented names of all time: Otis Spann, Little Walter, and Willie Dixon. His repertoire included dozens of songs that became blues standards, and many that also became big hits for rock & rollers like the Rolling Stones. If you just want one album from Muddy, try His Best: 1956 to 1964. For the definitive box set, go for The Chess Box.
  
• The next generation of Chicago blues musicians included Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, both of whom played with Muddy at one point or another. Their 1970 album South Side Blues Jam captures an incredible session, full of languid, lusty music.
  
• Blues wasn't exclusively a male domain. For a female vocalist who could stand up to any man out there, check out Big Mama Thornton. Her album With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966 will blow you away.
• If you like Big Mama, Koko Taylor will also be right up your alley. Try her classic sides from What It Takes: The Chess Years or one of her live sets on South Side Lady (Live in Netherlands 1973).
  

...if you like it jazzy...

• James explains: Ever since there has been such a thing as jazz, its purveyors have drawn on the sound and feeling of the Blues--so much so that it's a pretty pointless exercise to argue about whether a track is one or the other. They're not exclusive categories, they're more like fraternal twins. Sara adds: As far as music for blues dancing goes, jazzy tunes will be more likely to have instruments like clarinet, trumpet, and trombone, and the rhythms are more likely to have a swing feeling.
  
• Dinah Washington was a star vocalist in the 1950's who spanned Jazz, R&B, and Blues. (That's how the record companies would categorize it, at least. Like we said, they aren't actually different things.) On her album Dinah Washington Sings Bessie Smith, she pays tribute to one of the most famous and influential blues singers of the 1920's. The supporting players on the album include some big names from the jazz world: Max Roach on drums, Clark Terry on trumpet, Wynton Kelly on piano--and the tracks have lots of great little instrumental fills and flourishes. And Dinah's singing is electrifying.
  
• Take a listen to Allen Toussaint's album The Bright Mississippi. Toussaint is a diverse and talented musician who embraces the roots of New Orleans jazz and blues, but also dips in to soul, boogie-woogie, rock.
• You might enjoy the album Cat by Catherine Russell, a contemporary New York singer. The album has a number of good blues numbers, plus a couple songs that are good for lindy hop. All of the blues tunes are "jazzy"--for an example of what I mean, listen to "My Old Daddy's Got a Brand New Way to Love," sung by Catherine with only a piano accompaniment. Other tracks on the album feature mandolin and accordion, not instruments that your average Joe usually associates with blues music (even though mandolin actually does have a rich tradition in blues).
  

...if you like it with a lot of rock-and-roll energy...

• James explains: Rock-and-Roll music embraced blues music from the start (and quite lustily!). And I do mean the entire genre--practically every artist from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix to Jack White (though the verdict is still out on Coldplay). Gradually, some rock influences began to seep into blues music too, with some younger blues musicians becoming known for their heroic guitar solos. In general, rock-influenced blues music tends to have big, amped up guitar solos and a heavy back beat from the drums.
  
• Eric Clapton is one rock superstar who has continually gone back to traditional blues music for inspiration. His album From the Cradle contains nothing but classic blues tunes by bluesmen such as Leroy Carr, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon. James recalls that it was one of the first albums that sparked his interest in blues music. Sara also recommends Clapton's album The Blues. She appreciates it because he respects the true origin of a song, but then riffs it up with his own personality and creativity.
  
• Stevie Ray Vaughan, tied with Lyle Lovett for the funniest-looking famous person from Texas, is worshiped by many as an electric guitar god. While Sara and James would both agree that he's really a rock musician with a bit of blues influence, his music is still a rollicking good time. Get his classic album Texas Flood.
  

...if you're still looking for your favorite style...

• There are a bunch of different styles and feelings that are collectively known as blues, and there's no way we could cover them all here. Honestly, we haven't even begun to do them justice. Maybe in some future posts... In the mean time, here are a few more album recommendations, from all different styles, that don't fall into any of the categories above.
  
• ...if you want a sparse, gritty sound, with acoustic guitar and male vocals, then your roots are in the delta, where the blues was born. Try the legendary Robert Johnson's The Complete Recordings.
• ...if you like it country-style, with lots of whoopin' and hollerin', then check out Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. They've got a bunch of good albums, but you might start with An Introduction to Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. It amazes us that a combo as simple as guitar, harmonica, and two dudes singing can sound so full and really make you want to get up and dance.
• ...if you like it soulful, polished yet heartfelt, then get Ray Charles: The Genius Sings the Blues. You can't go wrong with Ray Charles. There's a reason they call him The Genius.
  

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.

If you're discovering the world of Balboa...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)

...and need music to practice your basics...

• Pretty much any music that you have for East Coast Swing or Lindy hop will do. In general, I would say that "Balboa music" encompasses an even broader array of music than does "Lindy Hop music." The dance was born to music from the Big Bands of the 1930's, so that is a great place to start searching.
  
• Kyle Smith, a well known DJ and the music coordinator for the annual All-Balboa Weekend in Cleveland, posted a list of his "Top 20 Balboa Songs of All Time" on his blog. It's a great run-down. Try typing any of these titles into your music service of choice and you'll get a bunch of hits that are probably good balboa music.
  
• As far as specific recommendations, I recommend the album B.G. in Hi-Fi, by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (even though it was recorded much later than the 1930s). Every track is danceable, they're all classic big band music, and the tempos range from 125 beats per minute all the way up to 230+, so you'll find tracks that are very easy to dance to and some that are very challenging.

...and like dancing to guitar-and-violin combos...

• ...then you probably already know about Django Reinhardt. Minor Swing is probably his most well-known and popular track (at least among dancers). From what I can tell, some dancers love Django's style of "gypsy jazz" for balboa, while others don't care for it at all. If you want to decide for yourself, you might start with a basic compilation like The Best Of Django Reinhardt or the double disc set Swing from Paris.
  
• For dancing, I also highly recommend the album The Swing Sessions, Vol. 1. It's a bit different than most of the Django you may have heard, because most of the tracks feature larger bands, with horns, reeds, and drums instead of just the usual fiddle and bass. The music is still as exotic and interesting as you expect from Django, but the style is closer to what you'd hear from other big bands around that time.
  
• For modern recordings of Django-style music, you can't beat the Twin Cities Hot Club, led by guitarist Robert Bell. Their self-titled album has lots of interesting, danceable tunes. You also really should try to catch these guys live. Last time I heard them, Gary Schulte, the group's violinist, had everyone in the room completely hypnotized. This group (and Robert in particular) has a special gift for reading and responding to dancers, adapting their music to what they see and pushing dancers to listen closer and try to respond in turn.
  

...and want some old-time music but without all the scratch and hiss...

• If you're looking for very authentic 1930's-style big band, but want a modern recording, look no further than Mora's Modern Rhythmists, a very talented and polished group from Los Angeles dedicated to playing music from the 1920's and 1930's. You can buy their albums and even download individual tracks on their website. Mr. Rhythmist Goes to Town is a good album to start with for balboa tunes. But heck why not just take advantage of their special offer of 4 albums for only $40. Can't beat a deal like that.
• I guess it makes sense that bands that play good music for Balboa should come from California, since that's where the dance was invented. Another good current band, this one from the San Francisco area, is the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Their music has that solid beat that's perfect for shuffle-shufflin'. Try their album Radio Rhythm.
  

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.

Billie Holiday - Life Begins When You're in Love

Available on Amazon, EMusic, and iTunes.

This is basically just another Billie Holiday record, with backing from Teddy Wilson & his orchestra.

Which is to say, it's great, charming, everything that I love about old jazz. I mention it because I played it at the end of the night a few weeks ago, and thought it was a nice note to end on. I usually DJ the early set at Fizz, passing things off to another DJ at 11:00 p.m. who keeps things rolling, so I seldom have to pick out a song to end the night on. Back when I lived in Boston, the DJ at one of the regular dances ALWAYS played Lou Rawls as the last song of the night. Like clockwork. When I do have to pick a closer, I usually like to go with something a little upbeat and/or catchy to put a spring in people's step when they leave (and just in case anyone isn't totally worn out at the end of the night). I'd be curious to hear from other DJ's--do you do anything particular? Or just keep rolling as you would normally, until the clock runs out?

I like this particular track for the end of the night because of the mood it leaves you with. I also like that it opens with instrumentals: we get a nice trumpet solo from Chris Griffin (from the Benny Goodman big band) and brief saxophone response before the vocal comes in, nearly a minute into the song. The beginning is all janky, and then Billie's vocal comes in very stretched out and languid, creating a nice contrast. Then after the verse, we get longer statements from the tenor sax (Teddy McRae), piano (Teddy Wilson), and clarinet (Rudy Powell), and the whole thing resolves quickly. And that's it for tonight.

Hat-tip to Alex Protopopescu on SwingDJs for the personnel information. In addition to the soloists mentioned above, the track has John Trueheart on guitar, Grachan Moncur on bass, and Cozy Cole on the drums.

If you're crazy about Charleston...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)

...and find yourself dancing on subway platforms, in elevators, or while preparing dinner...

• Be cautious if listening to the Cats and the Fiddle's album We Cats Will Swing for You. The Cats are a guitar-driven group featuring male vocal harmonies and lots of janky, catchy tunes. If you put them on your iPod, you may end up embarrassing yourself in public, or chopping off your finger at the knuckle if you're not careful.
• Even though I mentioned this one in an earlier post, I still recommend Firecracker Jazz Band: Firecracker Jazz Band Explodes. High-energy, off-the-wall music from a group that includes some former Squirrel Nut Zippers. Lots of hot tempos. You won't be able to sit still.
• I also already mentioned the Boilermakers, but not their albums Give Me Your Telephone Number or You Do Something To Me. Both have a number of tunes that are Charleston friendly. I think it's something about the banjo in the rhythm section.
  

...and really wish it were the Roaring 20's again...

• Start with some early Louis Armstrong, like The Best of The Hot 5 & Hot 7 Recordings. These are some of the most influential recordings in the history of Jazz, and are endlessly fascinating to listen to.
• For more hot 20's trumpet blowin', there's also Jabbo Smith: 1929 - The Complete Set. The recording of "Jazz Battle" is awesome.
• The compilation album Harlem Big Bands features recordings from 1925 through 1931, and provides a great sampling of dance bands from that era. I particularly like Cecil Scott & his Bright Boys.
  
• Or for modern recordings of tunes from the late 1920's, try Celebrating Bix! from the Bix Centennial All Stars. The group includes Randy Sandke, Dan Barrett, and Vince Giordano, top-flight musicians who all share a love for playing jazz styles from the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. Giordano leads a group called the Nighthawks, who specialize in the music of the 1920'. To get a taste of what they can do, check out this track: Shake That Thing. Unfortunately their albums are not widely available, but you can order them by mail or get them in person at their concerts. (I did the latter, picking up a copy of their album "Quality Shout" and got Vince's autograph to boot.) Details on the Nighthawks MySpace site.
  
• Another modern group, hailing from Britain and called simply Harlem, plays a lot of music from Duke Ellington's earliest groups. Check out their album Harlemania.
  

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.

Hey Mr. Jesse podcast

I just finished listening to the latest episode of one of my favorite podcasts, "Hey Mr. Jesse!" and thought I should mention it because this month was another great show. The podcast is hosted by Jesse Miner and Manu Smith, (both San Francisco-based lindy hoppers and DJs), and features news, reviews, and interviews all focused on swing music and jazz for dancing. This month's show features an interview with pianist and band leader Gordon Webster, a feature about a Twin Cities big band called the Americana Jazz Orchestra, a run-down of new music that's great for dancing, and plenty of song recommendations, quips and banter.

To me, the musician interviews that Jesse lands are the best part of the show--it's SO interesting hearing the musicians' perspective about their work, their stories, and even just how their voices sound. Over the past 45 shows (45 shows! They've been podcasting since January of 2006!) they've talked with Ernestine Anderson, Barbara Morrison, Paul Tillotson, George Gee, Jonathan Stout, Dawn Hampton, Bernard Berkhout, Daniel Glass (the drummer from the Royal Crown Revue),...the list goes on...and even includes the legendary saxophonist Frank Foster (who played with the Count Basie Orchestra).

If you're not familiar with the podcast, I highly recommend checking it out. See their website or the podcast listing on iTunes.

If you're getting more into lindy hop...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)


...and want to dance to bands that play the lindy hop circuit nowadays...

• Check out Jump for Joy, the latest album from the Boilermaker Jazz Band. The selection of tunes is interesting, the music is peppy and fun, and the tempo range is pretty wide, so you'll find plenty of music to push your boundaries.
• Swingmatism by the Seattle-based Solomon Douglas Swingtet is tailor-made for lindy-hoppin'.
• From the Los Angeles area, Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five are also frequent featured performers at dance weekends. Try their album Moppin' And Boppin' (or any of their others, they're all good).
• Can't forget George Gee and the Jump Jivin' Wailers, a great swingin' big band from the birthplace of lindy hop, New York City. Their biggest influence has always been the New Testament Count Basie Band, as on their album Swingin' Away. On their latest, If Dreams Come True, they branch out into some interesting older material.
  
• For a whole lot more links, see my blog post listing bands whom I featured on Yehoodi Radio. Nearly all of the groups listed can currently be heard at dances or in night clubs around the country.
  

...and also smoke pot...

• check out some Slim and Slam (Slim Gaillard and Slam Stewart). Actually even if you have never used hallucinogens, you might like this goofy, fun music. Ice Cream on Toast is a pretty good album, or dive right in with the inexpensive box set Laughing in Rhythm.
  
• Slim and Slam is a gateway into a whole world of "Stoner Swing." If your still looking for a fix, try hitting up The Harlem Hamfats, Stuff Smith, Willie Bryant, or Fats Waller.
  

...and like groovy jazz...

• For upbeat, swingin' dance music that is still solidly blue, check out Let the Good Times Roll by Helen Humes.
• Oscar Peterson's Night Train has lots of tunes that people have been part of the lindy hop D.J.'s repertoire for ages (or at least as long as I've been dancing). If you like dancing to piano trios, you'll be in heaven. But even if you don't, you should get this album because the music is phenomenal. Sit and listen to it, and you'll see what I mean.

...and are wondering what music people danced to back in the day, like at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem...

• Get yourself some Chick Webb, either the album Strictly Jive or the cheap box set Stomping at the Savoy.
  
• Investigate Mills Blue Rhythm Band--the album titled Mills Blue Rhythm Band: 1933-1936 is a good place to start.
• Check out An Anthology of Big Band Swing 1930-1955. Over the past couple years, the Silver Shadows dance troupe (Skye, Frida, Peter, Ramona, Todd, Naomi, Andy, Nina) have used music from this album for several of their routines, including Savoy (by Lucky Millinder) and Rock and Rye (Earl Hines). The album has a wide variety of classic big band songs that you would not find on your average "Best of the Big Bands" compilation. Lots of the tunes are fantastic for swinging out.

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.

If you're just learning to lindy hop...

(See my introduction to this series of posts.)


...and like your tunes big, bold, and brassy...

• Count Basie is your man, especially his records from after 1950. His live album Count Basie at Newport has some great dance tunes at various tempos, and is also just awesome music. For mostly slower tempos, try April in Paris.
  
• Live in Swing City: Swingin' with the Duke by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra is a reliable favorite. The disc contains modern renditions of classic tunes by Duke Ellington, making for interesting, dynamic, and playful music.
  

...and you like blues-influenced music with a lot of character...

• You can't beat Jimmie Witherspoon. Start with the compilation Jazz Me Blues.
• Check out Alberta Hunter's Amtrak Blues. It's got several songs that are between 100 and 150 beats per minute--nice slow, mostly chill music to practice your swingouts, with a beat that is easy to follow. Alberta Hunter was 80+ years old when she recorded this album, but her voice is still very spirited and memorable. This album also has "Darktown Strutter's Ball," which is a perpetual favorite among lindy hoppers--it starts off slow but then gets more energetic.

...and like stuff from the Rat Pack, Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, that sort of thing...

• Check out the album With Respect to Nat by Oscar Peterson. Peterson is one of the most virtuosic jazz musicians of all time. He also does a dead-ringer impression of Nat King Cole on songs such as Walkin' My Baby Back Home and When My Sugar Walks Down the Street. The tempos on this album are mostly pretty slow, so you can lindy hop without breaking a sweat.
• You might dig Joe Williams, one of the most talented male singers in the history of jazz. Try the album One More for My Baby, where he is backed by a big, brassy orchestra, or the compilation The Definitive Joe Williams.

Note: Dancers, DJs, and folks searching for music, let me know what you think of these recommendations, and please don't be shy about posting a comment to suggest some of your favorites too.