LindyGroove DJs...
Brian Abe (San Diego) has DJed at many events and clubs including the FireHouse in San Diego. bio coming soon...
has been a vital part of the LA swing scene for over ten years, and is the creator of Camp Hollywood and the National Jitterbug Championships, as well as the vocalist for Jonathan Stout's Campus Five and The Jonathan Stout Orchestra. The daughter of a jazz pianist, Hilary was raised to have a great appreciation of the music of the swing era and a desire to spread the love of this music through her DJing, event, and band.Greg Avakian has been teaching
Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing for over 10 years in Philadelphia, PA. Greg has taught or
DJed in 9 Philly clubs and has taught workshops in 11 states as well as Europe and Canada.
His local dance, The Philadelphia Lindy Project (PLP) is the most popular weekly dance in
Philly and is dedicated to "Groove" Style Lindy.
This year Greg is invited to teach and/or DJ at: Bill Cameron's New Years Event (MA), The
American Lindy Hop Championships (CT), Frankie Manning's birthday party (NYC), North
Atlantic Dance Championships (NJ), Jitterbug Jam (CA), Montreal International Swing Dance
Festival (Canada), Beantown (MA), Lincoln Center's midsummer night's swing (NYC), Boston
Tea Party (MA) and more.
Some fav. tunes:
The great city - Les McCann
Smack dab in the middle - Gene Harris/Jack McDuff
Greasy sack blues - Woody Herman
Makin' bread again - Gene Harris & 3 sounds
Hard times - Houston Person
You're the one - Hank Crawford
C-jam blues - Lincoln Center Orch.
Jump Ditty - Joe Carroll
Take the A train - Oscar Peterson
2 O'clock jump - Harry James
Good rockin' tonight - Jimmy Witherspoon
Dat dere - Oscar Brown
September in the rain - Joe Williams
Kentucky Avenue - Duke Ellington
Some fav CDs:
BluElla - Ella Fitzgerald
Trumpet blues - Harry James
From the age of swing - Dick Hyman
Breakfast dance and barbeque - Basie
On the sunny side of the street - Ella and Basie
Swingin' live - George Gee
Down home blues - Gene Harris and Jack McDuff
The 'Spoon concerts - Jimmy Witherspoon
Legendary Lou Rawls - Lou Rawls
No regrets - Ernie Andrews
Jeremy Barwick (a.k.a. JB) has
recently spent way too much money buying CDs, in a desperate attempt to sate his gnawing
hunger for swing dance music. Though he finds himself hopelessly addicted to groovy music,
he loves classic swing and hopes that someday, more dancers in his hometown of San Diego
will embrace the faster, old school music from the golden era of lindy hop. He also hopes
to one day be a really good lindy hopper, but until then, he is content to stumble around
the dance floor making a fool of himself. He readily accepts donations to the "Jeremy
Barwick CD Collection Fund."
A few of JB's favorite songs (in no particular order):
Your father's mustache -- Woody Herman
Uptown Sop -- Gene Harris
Begin the Beguine -- Artie Shaw
Well, Git It! -- Tommy Dorsey
Happy Go Lucky Local (A.K.A. Night Train) -- Oscar Peterson
Jivin' With Jarvis -- Lionel Hampton
Let Me Off Uptown -- Roy Eldridge, Gene Krupa, Anita O'day
Organ Grinder's Swing -- Buster Smith
Cement Mixer -- Slim Gaillard
Down Home Blues -- Gene Harris
One O'Clock Jump -- Count Basie
For Dancers Only -- Jimmy Lunceford
Topsy -- Benny Goodman
Juke Box -- Sugar Ray's Flying Fortress
Kia has been dancing since 1996 and what
keeps him with it is the music. He has helped promote 3rd Street Promenade in Santa
Monica, Suzy Qs, Shorty George and Satin Ballroom in LA.
Some of Kia's timeless favorites:
Duke Ellington - Cool Rock / Black Beauty
Eddie Reed / Duke / Lincoln Center Orch. C Jam Blues
Count Basie / Ella Shiny Stockings
Count Basie - Moten Swing / Corner Pocket
George Gee / Count Splanky
George Gee - Blues for Stephanie / Four Five Six
Eva Cassidy / Ella Blue Skies
Lavay Smith / Barbara Morrison / Joe Williams Going to Chicago
Oscar Peterson Summertime / Moten Swing
Steve Lucky - Play it Cool
Tiny Bradshaw - Soft
Ron Bloom has been spinning swing
music in San Diego for three years. He can be heard regularly at the Firehouse. He's also
played at Swingout Northwest, and exchanges in Denver and Chicago. Ron tastes aren't
limited to any one style of swing, he plays anything that will get a crowd moving, from
Jump Blues to Big Band to groovy jazz. His swing CD review website features reviews of
over 400 Swing CDs and is a well-known source of information, recommendations and links
for swing music lovers. See:
http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html
Ron's recent favorite CDs:
The Swing Session - Whispering Grass
Ramsey Lewis - Finest Hour
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance & Barbeque
Gene Harris - Best of the Concord Years
Stacey Kent - Let Yourself Go
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue
Jennie Löbel - He Ain't Got Rhythm
Mary Stallings - Manhattan Moods
Ron's always favorite CDs:
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Basie
Benny Goodman - B.G. in Hi-Fi
Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Swingin' the Century
Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis - Live In Swing City
Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train
Glenn Miller - The Secret Broadcasts
Maxine Sullivan and her Jazz All-Stars - A Tribute to Andy Razaf
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Mighty Blue Kings - Meet Me in Uptown
Jellyroll - Hoo-Dee-A-Da
Indigo Swing - All Aboard
Various Artists - Oscillatin' Rhythm
Risqué Rhythms - Nasty 50's R&B - Various Artists
Bill Borgida (Ithaca NY) http://www.billborgida.com/
Bill has been Swing Dancing for over 18 years, and teaching Lindy Hop for 8. Over the
years Bill's emphasis on strong technique has touched many dancers, a disproportionate
number of whom have gone on to international acclaim. Bill has been privileged to teach
all over the world, including Sweden (Herrang), Finland, France, London, and Singapore, as
well as at numerous camps and events throughout the US and Canada. He is regularly invited
to judge at national competitions. Bill's passion for social Lindy Hop is as strong as his
passion for the music. He is so happy to share his love of both on his West Coast visits.
Bill's Top dozen CDs/artists:
Spotlight on Lou Rawls: Great Gentlemen of Song
Harry James: Trumpet Blues
Ella and Louis, also Ella and Louis Again
Louis Armstrong meets Oscar Peterson
Count Basie: Atomic Basie, Breakfast Dance and BBQ
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Live in Swing City
Ella: Bluella
Lionel Hampton: Tempo and Swing
Nina Simone: the Bethlehem recordings (import)
Slim and Slam: anything
Fats Waller & His Rhythm: the Middle & Late Years (Bluebird collections)
Gene Harris: anything
Brien Brown is a well travelled
dancer and DJ who has been a part of events all over the world as well as being a popular
DJ among the locals in Seattle. Spinning all kinds of swing music, he doesn't claim to be
a historian by any measure; just likes to play music that gets people dancing and having a
good time. Favorite artists include Duke, Count, The Lionel Hampton Big Band, Ella, Carmen
Mcrae
Favorite Songs as of August 2004
1. Carmen McRae - Perdido
2. Love Letters - Les McCann
3. Kidney Stew - Lionel Hampton Big Band
4. Let's Do It - Ella Fitzgerald
5. Kentucky Ave. - Duke Ellington
6. Honeysuckle Rose - Fats Waller
7. Lester Leaps In - Lester Young/Basie
8. Give Me A Pigfoot - Nina Simone
9. Lady Be Good - Artie Shaw
10.Spirit is Willing - Count Basie
Reuben Brown Specializing in 1930's
Jazz, the music of Harlem, and an all around Duke Ellington fanatic, Reuben has been DJing
Swing and Jazz Music ALL eras for over 3 years... and dancing to it for over 5. From Los
Angeles, to Houston, to Minneapolis, to Seattle, he has spun for a wide variety of dancers
at numerous venues and special events.
Top 10 "Classic" Albums:
-Count Basie and his Orchestra, The Best of Early Basie (Decca)
-Casa Loma Orchestra, Boneyard Shuffle (Hep Records)
-Charlie Christian, Genius of Electric Guitar (Giants of Jazz)
-Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, The Blanton-Webster Band (RCA Bluebird)
-Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Classics (Jazz Archives)
-Earl Hines and his Orchestra, 1937 - 1939 (Chronological)
-Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy, Mary's Idea (Decca)
-Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra, For Dancers Only (Decca)
-Artie Shaw and his Orchestra, Begin the Beguine (RCA Bluebird)
-Chick Webb and his Orchestra, Spinnin' the Webb (Decca)
-Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra, Jumpin' For Joy (Hep Records)
Top 10 "Modern" Albums:
-Louis Armstrong, Satch Plays Fats (Columbia)
-Count Basie and his Orchestra, Atomic Swing (Roulette)
-Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool (Capital)
-Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Complete at Newport '56 (Columbia)
-Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Soul Call (Verve)
-Duke Ellington and Count Basie, The Count Meets The Duke (Columbia)
-Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Reunion at Newport '67 (RCA Bluebird)
-Johnny Hodges, Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges (Impulse)
-Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Live In Swing City (Sony)
-Oscar Peterson Trio, Night Train (Verve)
Kristin Buxton is one of the
regular DJs in the Portland area. She started DJing early in 2001, not entirely
voluntarily, but has
since decided that she really enjoys it. Besides DJing regularly at the Viscount Ballroom,
she has made guest appearances in Seattle, Vancouver, and Denver.
Favorite Tunes (for today):
Pink Martini - Sympathique
Chris Connor - Summertime
Count Basie - Splanky
Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham - Comin' Back to South Chicago
Hadda Brooks - Miss Brown to You
Barbara Morrison - Fever
Ray Charles - Hard Times
Oscar Peterson - Moten Swing
Lily Wilde - Mister Five by Five
Gene Harris - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Steve Conrad has been
teaching/performing Lindy hop and East Coast Swing for over 11 years. He has taught at the
Desert Dance camp in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Carnage Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA,
Albuquerque, NM, and throughout Europe. He worked with the Mercury hip hop squad, the
Phoenix Suns dancers, and the Arizona Sidewinders, teaching or performing at half time. He
also performed with the Judds for the Millennium New Years Eve reunion (and taught Ashley
Judd aerials backstage). Steve has taught more than 15,000 people how to dance through
workshops and clubs, school districts, classes at Borders Books, and over 10 years of
lindy hop classes in Arizona. He was also the promoter/DJ/instructor for the Bash on Ash
for 5 years. In the past 11 years Steve has produced over 90 concerts including Indigo
Swing, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Sam Butera (of Louis Prima fame), the
Count Basie Tribute at the Biltmore Resort, and more. For 9 years he presented the
"New Year Swing Jam" with Frankie Manning. Steve has been a jazz host on KJZZ
91.5 FM (NPR and Jazz ) for over 7 years and teaches jazz/dance history in schools.
Top 11 songs as of 4/18/07
On Revival Day - LaVern Baker
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me - Sidney Bechet
Shout, Sister, Shout - Lucky Millender with Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Fine Brown Frame - Nellie Lutcher
Rockhouse - Big Maybelle
Fever - Jimmy Smith
If You Live - Mose Allison
Laff, Slam, Laff - Slam Stewart
Alright, Okay, you Win - Joe Williams (groovy trio version)
Count's Place - Ella Fitzgerald
Things Ain't What they Used to Be - Johnny Hodges
Vicky Chan Bio coming soon...
Benji Cherney hails from Los
Angeles, and currently resides there, although he started lindy hopping in San Francisco
in 1996. It did not take long before he was completely obsessed with swing and jazz. One
form of swing or another has always been a part of Benji's life, seeing as he spends his
days as a PGA golf professional teaching at Valencia Country Club. He has DJed at The Dog
House, The Metronome Ballroom, and was resident DJ and instructor at Café Cocomo. He has
also DJed in Herrang, at Hop The Millenium, the 100 Club in London, and on JazzFM in
Ireland. Benji's upcoming appearance at Lindygroove marks his triumphant return to one of
his passions.
Fav. Cd's:
1. Oscar Peterson- Night Train
2. The Count Meets the Duke- First Time!
3. Slim Gaillard- Groove Juice Special
4. Jimmy Witherspoon- Singin' the Blues
5. Al Smith- Hear My Blues
6. Jimmy Smith-Verve 'Jazz Masters #29'
7. Joe Williams-Nothin' But the Blues
8. Lionel Hampton- You Better Know It!!!
9. Lou Rawls- Live!
10. Esther Phillips- Burnin'
Jeremy Cook (a.k.a. J.C.) Has
been dancing lindy hop since 1991 and teaching since 1997. Learing to dance first from
Jonathan Bixby and Silvia Sykes, he has also studied with PBDA, Steven Mitchell, Ryan
Francois, The Rhythm Hotshots, Frankie Manning, and many others. J.C., though Savoy style
at heart, dances a unique blend of different lindy hop styles. A vital dancer and
teacher in the Sacramento/Davis swing scene, J.C. taught and DJed at many local venues. In
1999, J.C. left Northern California to take a Lindy hop specialist/dancer position in the
Broadway-style show, "Work That Skirt" at the Reno Hilton, which ran for the
year 2000. Now back at home in LA, JC continues to teach and promote Lindy hop and DJ at
clubs, camps and exchanges locally and nationally.
Favorite Albums (in no particular order):
1. Swingin Live-George Gee and His Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra
2. Walk'Em-Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra
3. Jazz Me Blues-Jimmy Witherspoon
4. Getting Along All Right-Barbara Morrison
5. Stormy Monday-Lou Rawls with Les McCann
6. En Concert in Europe-Count Basie and His Orchestra
7. Satch and Josh-Count Basie with Oscar Peterson
8. Jacquet's Got It!-Illinios Jacquet And His Big Band
9. Live From Greenwich Village-Buck Clayton Live
10. My Baby Just Cares For Me-Nina Simone
Favorite Songs (In no particular order) :
1. Stormy Monday-Barbara Morrison
2. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water-Lou Rawls/Les McCann
3. Blues for Stephanie-George Gee
4. Three Buckets of Jive-Illinios Jacquet
5. Cry To Me-Solomon Burke
6. Buns' Blues-Satch and Josh
7. Meet BB-Count Basie
8. Smack Dab In The Middle-Gene Harris/Jack McDuff
9. Splanky-Count Basie
10. Frankie and Johnny-Sam Cooke
Jim Cruzen and Margie Adams are based in San Diego
and have been dance partners for 3 years. They own 2toGroove
Dance Instruction, teach full time, run one of San Diego's most popular venues "All
Things Swing & More" and love it! These two can easily be described as extremely
musical dancers and amazing teachers. As dancers, they're known for their creative style,
effortless movement and incredible connection. As teachers, their patience, inspiration,
and ability to "break it down" is well worth any dancers time. Together they
have over 15 years of varied dance experience; 6 years of that in Lindy/Swing. Recognized
as quality instructors, they have also taught on the national level over the past 2 years.
Needless to say, they love it all. Their favorite dances include all styles of Lindy,
Balboa, Carolina Shag, West Coast Swing and Argentine Tango.
Additionally, Jim Cruzen deejays regularly in SD and loves to keep everyone on the dance
floor. He also enjoys guest deejaying and looks to do more of it. From Big Band to Jump
Blues, Dixieland to Funk, Groovie Blues to classic ol' skool... You never know what you're
gonna get next! Whatever it takes to keep those happy feet movin'!
A Quick List of Favorites:
Lou Rawls
Ernestine Anderson
Slim Gaillard
Count Basie
Nina Simone
Ella Fitzgerald
Louis Armstrong
Charlie Christian
Oscar Peterson
Helen Humes
Sarah Vaughn
Mike Dancel has been teaching, DJing, and
promoting swing within the Colorado Springs area since 1998. Mike founded Swing in the Springs and recently
co-founded Focus On Lindy. Mike is
constantly in search of new swinging jazz tunes to keep the dance floor packed and
has been a featured guest DJ at the last 3 Denver Lindy Exchanges, Utah Lindy
Exchange, and he regularly guest DJ's in Denver through out the year.
Here are Mike's must have albums:
Barbara Morrison - Live at the 9:20 Special
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Gene Harris - The Best of the Concord Years
Buddy Johnson - Walk'em
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - Live in Swing City
Frankie Manning's Really Swingin'
Joe Williams - Everyday: The Best of the Verve Years
Ernestine Anderson -- The Concord Jazz Heritage Series
Tina "Sweet T" Davis (Texas)
started doing the DJ thang in 2003 in the great state of Florida and now calls Texas her
home, splitting time between Dallas and Austin. Tina spins a mix of styles for her Lindy,
Blues and occasional West Coast sets, but it's all gotta have a little "ass" to
it. In addition to spinning her fave tunes in Texas, Tina has been a featured DJ at dance
exchanges and workshops across the US and Canada and hosts her own monthly Blues dance
called "The Back Room". She's also been known to help organize events like the
Austin Blues Party and teach at Blues Boot Camp (Dallas) in her copious free time. She
also has an unhealthy devotion to the University of Florida Gators and 80's music, but
don't hold that against her. You can check out SweetTProductions
for more info on her exploits.
Tina's Faves as of Right Now (January 2008)
In no particular order...
Songs
Damn near anything by Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald or Sam Cooke
Savoy Blues - Wolverines Jazz Band of Bern
New orleans Bump or Jungle Blues - Wynton Marsalis
Let There Be Love - Monster Big Band
Song of the volga Boatmen - Glenn Miller Orchestra
Half Tight Boogie - Jonathan Stout Orchestra
Souvenirs de la Nouvelle Orleans - Sidney Bechet
Four or Five Times - Kid Ory
Destination Moon - Topsy Chapman
One O'Clock Jump or Vine Street Rumble - Ernie Krivda Orchestra
CDs
Damn near anything by Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald or Sam Cooke
James Hunter - People Gonna Talk
Barbara Morrison - Live at 9:20 Special
Amy Winehouse - Back in Black
Christabel and the Jons - Love and Circumstances
Solomon Douglas swingtet - Swingmatism
Kansas City - Movie Soundtrack
Helen Humes - Deed I Do
Gotan Project - La Revancha del Tango or Lunatico
Anything by Sting or The Police
Morgan Day. DJ (Captain) Morgan Day
has been swing dancing since 1997, but his love for swing music began well before that.
His grandparents loved "jitterbug music", and he grew up listening to big band
greats like Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller. In 2003, after becoming president of the UC
Riverside Swing Club, Morgan took up DJing responsibilities at the local weekly swing
venue and has never stopped spinning music since. His musical taste is eclectic, playing a
variety of songs that fill the dance floor, with a special interest in modern traditional
jazz bands that can found at local jazz festivals.
Morgan's Favorite Tunes to Dance to:
Benny Goodman Quartet - Sweet Sue, Just You
Midiri Brothers - Cross Your Heart
Titan Hot 7 - Bye Bye Baby
Earl Hines - Rock and Rye
4 Beat 6 - South of the Border
Solomon Douglas is a musician,
bandleader, and lindy hop instructor from Toronto, whose three bands (Back Pocket,
the Solomon Douglas Swingtet and Corner Pocket) have been among the most popular dance
bands among lindy hoppers all over North America and worldwide since 2000. His DJ style
reflects his understanding of the music and the dance from the standpoints of both
musician and dancer.
Top 10 artist list:
Count Basie
Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald
Erroll Garner
Dizzy Gillespie
Gene Harris
Diana Krall
Oscar Peterson
Joe Williams
Jimmy Witherspoon
John Dyer After moving to Colorado he's been
regularly spinning in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. He co hosts Pearl Street
Swing and Blues in Boulder (with Shana Worel), has also DJ'ed at DLX for the past 6 years,
and recently at the Denver Blues Summit. Colorado is host to some of the most awesome, yet
diverse dancers, and John likes to spin for them all, keeping everyone on the dance floor
and having a good time.
Dancing and teaching in Boulder, CO
All time favorite CDs
-Buddy Johnson - Walk 'Em
-Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats
-Count Basie - Live At Newport
-Lou Rawls with Less McCann - Stormy Monday
-Nina Simone - Bittersweet
-The Big 18 - (More) Live Echoes of the Swinging Bands
-Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Current Favorite CDs
-Hal Smith and His California Swing Cats - Swing Brother Swing
-Johnny Hodges - Proper Box Set
-Jonah Jones - I Dig Jonah
-Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five - Jammin' The Blues
-Duke Ellington, Private Collection Vol. 6 - 1956 California Dance Dates
-Artie Shaw - The Complete Grammercy Five Sessions
Mark Eckstein has appeared on Broadway in Gypsy of the Year,
at Carnegie Hall in An Evening With Dudley Moore, and in the 2nd national tour of The
Original Broadway Swing! He has also appeared in the first and second workshops of the new
hit show Swango: The Fusion. Mark is a two-time American Lindy Hop Champion, North
Atlantic Dance Champion, 3-time US Open classic finalist, and Phoenix Champions of
Champions invitee. Though currently immersed in musical theater, with his free time Mark
still enjoys teaching lindy-hop and hip hop around the country and in his hometown of New
York City at Dance Manhattan, as well as DJing at various venues in his travels.
Some songs Mark likes:
You Send Me - Rachelle Ferrell
Just Sittin and a rockin' - Billy Strayhorn
Oh well oh well - the 3 sounds
Fly me to the moon - Paula West
Lady is a tramp - Count Basie
Cottontail - Benny Carter
Portrait of Louis Armstrong - Duke Ellington
Rockin in Rhythm - Oscar Peterson
Route 66 - James Cotton
Cheek to Cheek - Eva Cassidy
Drew Fansler began Lindy Hopping in
1998 in his native Chicago and DJing in 2001 and has gone onto live and be involved in the
Lindy Hop communities of Minneapolis and Nashville. Returning from a recent hiatus, he is
excited to be venturing back into the DJ booth at LindyGroove. He has taken his DJing
exploits from coast to coast to events such as DCLX, Cleveland Exchange, Music City Mini
Camp, Midwest Lindyfest, Showdown, Windy City Lindy Exchange, Kansas City Lindy Exchange,
Orlando Lindy Exchange, and the Binge in addition to being a fixture at University of
Chicago's Java Jive, Chicago's Studio X and Fizz, and Late Night Swing at Tapestry in
Minneapolis. As part of the Chicago Swing Dance Society, he art directed and helped
co-produce the album Struttin' With Yoko by Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blues Band in 2001.
Drew's foremost interest in jazz has long been the music of Kansas City. but he plays from
a collection ranging from McKinney's Cotton Pickers to Oscar Peterson.
A few of Drew's favorite albums to dance to:
- The Legendary Buster Smith
- Jay McShann: Still Jumpin' the Blues
- Basie's Golden 58: The Count Basie Band & Joe Williams on the West
Coast, Summer 1958
- Slim Gaillard: Laughing In Rhythm: The Best of the Verve Years
- Vic Dickenson Story 1940/46
- Pete Johnson: Chronological Classics 1939-41, 47-49
- Duke Ellington: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1941-43
Other stuff Drew digs:
- The Come Ons: Hip Check!
- Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose
- The Detroit Cobras: Baby
- The Mooney Suzuki: Electric Sweat
- The White Stripes: Elephant
- Bob Dylan: Bringing it all Back Home
Neil Figuracion Hailing from the barrio
of East Los Angeles, Neil Figuracion was one of the first DJs in the Southern California
Swing scene, spinning discs at the Hollywood Athletic Club and serving as the regular Late
Night Lindy DJ at the original Memories. Always one to keep dancers on their toes, he won
first place in the Best DJ competition at the Swing Kat's Ball, and is one of the
perennial DJs at Camp Hollywood. He's mostly retired from playing the platters, but
occasionally crawls out from under the woodwork to test drive new tunes and revive those
classic favorites.
Here are some albums that I dig:
Jimmie Lunceford: Stomp it Off
Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B
Spiked! The Music of Spike Jones
Jack Teagarden: A Hundred Years from Today
Nellie McKay: Get Away From Me
George Siravo: Swingin' in Studio A
I like to play tunes that make me dance:
Honeysuckle Rose: Who doesn't play this song?
A Porter's Lovesong to a Chambermaid: Bonebrake Syncopators
What You Feel: Sweet (from the Once More with Feeling soundtrack)
Savoy Blip: Jonathan Stout and the Campus Five
A Smooth One: Charlie Christian
Shave 'em Dry: Asylum Street Spankers
Peter Flahiff has been lindy hopping since
1994 and has since had the great fortune to teach and perform all over the world. With the
exception of a one-year hiatus, Peter has been DJing swing venues EVERY SINGLE WEEK for
TEN straight years. From the late, much-lamented days of Pointe 705 in Hermosa Beach to
twice-weekly house DJ status at the amazing Atomic Ballroom in Irvine, Peter always packs
the floors and moves the crowd. He has also been thrilled to DJ in Europe and across the
United States at dance camps and venues. He prides himself on playing anything he feels
SWINGS and does not limit his DJing to any particular style or era.
Peter can never ever pick his top ten songs, since they change often. Sometimes hourly.
But as of this writing (in a Starbucks in Orange County sometime in early 2006) he likes
to play these ten songs:
Moten Swing -- Oscar Peterson (always. always and forever.)
I'll Always Be In Love With You -- Count Basie, Live at the Savoy Ballroom
in 1938
Easy Does It -- The Big 18
A Smooth One -- Charlie Christian with the Benny Goodman Sextet
Temptation -- Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
Killin' Jive -- The Cats and The Fiddle
The Dicty Glide -- Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
Half Tight Boogie -- Pete Johnson
King Porter Stomp -- Harry James
Money's Gettin Cheaper -- Jimmy Witherspoon
Peter's Favorites as of 9/2004:
Moten Swing -- Oscar Peterson
C-Jam Blues -- Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Wailing Interval -- Duke Ellington Orchestra
King Porter Stomp -- Kansas City Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Cheek to Cheek -- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
East of the Sun -- Diana Krall
I'll Always Be In Love With You -- Count Basie Live at the Savoy 1938
Streamliner -- BIll Elliott Swing Orchestra
Everybody Get Together -- Teddy Johnson
Sent For You Yesterday -- Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Heather Flock (New York) has
been dancing Lindy Hop since 1999. She is an avid social dancer, award-winning
choreographer, popular DJ, and a leading member in the New York City swing scene. She
teaches the "Cram Session" every Thursday night at Yehoodi.com's Frim Fram Jam.
She was a member of the renowned troupe the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers and has been a leading
member of the Brooklyn Bombshells for many years. Her troupe recently took first place at
the 25th anniversary Coney Island Mermaid Parade. She specializes in teaching beginners
the foundation for good Lindy Hop frame, connection and expression/musicality.
Carl Flores has been dancing for nine
years where his love for the music and dance of the swing era inspired him to add DJing to
the mix over the last couple of years. He loves to spin tunes for his dance hometown of
San Diego at various venues including the Firehouse, Lindy By The Bay and All Thing Swing.
With his main goal to keep the dance floor swinging, Carl plays everything from standards
to jump blues and big band. As for rumors of a wannabe crooner behind the mic, his reply
was: pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!
A Sampler of Carls Favorite CDs:
Barbarra Morrison Live at the 9:20 Special
Count Basie and Joe Williams The Greatest!
Ella and Louis - Ella and Louis Again
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance & Barbeque
Campus Five- Jammin the Blues
Hals Angels And the Angels Swing
Nat King Cole The World of Nat King Cole
Cab Calloway Are You Hep To the Jive?
Various Artists- Big Bands in Hi-Fi
10 of Carls Favorite Songs (as of early 2007):
Too Darn Hot - Ell Fitzgerald
Opus One Mill Brothers
Four or Five Times - Joe Williams
A-Tisket, A-Tasket Ella / Manhattan Transfer
I Love Being Here With You Barbara Morrison
Bounce Me Brother With A Solid Four Andrews Sisters
Everybody Eats When The Come To My House Cab Calloway
Traveling Baby Ernie Andrews with the Maxwell Davis Orchestra
Massachusetts Campus Five
Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee- Hals Angels
.
Didier "Charmin' Dee" Jean Francois
Montreal, Quebec, Canada was introduced to swing 1998 he is a founder and current
president of the Swinging Air Force
Entertainment Group He also runs Canada's National Swing Competition, the ECSC.
15 Songs that he really likes:
Hide Away -- Glamour Puss
Lock & Key -- Victrola
I Just Wanna Make Love to You -- Jimmy Smith
Big Spender -- Peggy Lee
Footprints on the Ceiling -- Mississippi Heat
Hymn to Freedom -- Oliver Jones
720 in the Books -- Jan Savitt
Louisiana Hay Ride -- Tommy Dorsey
Love for Sale -- Oscar Peterson plays Cole Porter
I Love Being Here with You -- Diana Krall
Song of the Volga Boatmen -- Glen Miller
When the Sun Sets Down South -- Sydney Bechet
I Thought About You -- Jeremy Davenport
On the Street where you live -- Marlena Shaw
16 Tons -- Tennessee Ernie Ford
David Frutos, along with his partner Kim
Clever, are nationally known instructors, competitors and judges. When home, they run the
Juke Joint on Tuesday nights at Paladinos in Reseda. As a DJ, David is known for playing a
wide variety of music always geared to keep the dance floor moving. To Contact: (805) 643-
2363 or email: kimclever@prodigy.net
Some of David's favorite cd's are:
Ruth Brown .....Miss Rhythm
Charlie Christian......Genius of electric Guitar
Pete Johnson..... Pete's Housewarmin Blues
The Treniers....Best of The Treniers
Chick Webb..... Strictly Jive
Lionel Hampton.....Proper Box Set
Billy Jack Wills....Crazy Man Crazy
Little Willie John......Complete King Sessions
Count Basie.....Complete Decca
Joe Turner....Big, Bad and Blue
The Cats and the Fiddle ....Hep Cats Swing Vols. 1&2
Some of My Favorite Songs
Rockin' At the Record Hop.......The Ravens
Don't Be that Way......Teddy Wilson
Six Appeal......Charlie Christian
Blue Skies......Roy Milton
Fine Dinner......Coleman Hawkins
Goin' Back to New Orleans..... Joe Liggins
Green Goon Jive......Jan Savitt
Sweet Georgia Brown......Billy Jack Wills
Cavernism.......Earl Hines& Dean Mora
Minor Struggle.....The Fly Rite Boys
Opus One........ The Mills Brothers
Blow Top......Count Basie
"Doc" Mike Gentry - I began DJ'ing in 2000. My
musical influences come from my parents and grandparents, who danced and played blues.
Monk, Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery, Sam Cooke, and Jackie Wilson were household names in
my home. My DJ'ing tastes range from Cab, Ella and Duke, through Jack McDuff and Etta
James to Sam Cooke, Booker T. and even some James Brown.
10 Songs that I dig:
Miser's Serenade - Chris Connor
The Vibrator - Jack McDuff
Rockhouse - Ray Charles
Movin' and Groovin' - Sam Cooke
For Dancers Only - Duke Ellington
I Don't Want No Woman - Magic Sam
Don't Let It Happen to Me - James Brown
Disappointed - James Moody
Last Night - The Mar-Keys
I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Ella Fitzgerald from the "At Newport" album
Discovery Gerdes (AKA Disco)
has been dancing for over 10 years nationally, beginning in ballroom but finding his true
love and passion for dancing in the lindy hop. While studying Jazz music in college, he
helped develop the swing scence in his
hometown of Pittsburgh. Disco has been DJing weekly in Pittsburgh for over 2 years and has
also Djed at such events as the Denver Exchange, the Pittsburgh Exchange and the Austin
Swing Riot.
Here's what Disco's listening to (But not necessarily playing)....
Wild Bill Davis - Blue Rabbit
Sy Oliver - Yes Indeed
Tribe Called Quest - The Love Movement
Count Basie - Straight Ahead
Dakota Staton - The Late Late Show
Brand New Heavies - Shelter
Duke Ellington - The Intimacy of the Blues
Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Joe Williams - Overwhelming Joe Williams
Johnny Hodges - Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges
Jamiroquai - A Funk Odyssey
Marvin Gaye - Tribute to the Great Nat King Cole
Mandi Gould Toronto, Canada
Mandi can be found just about anywhere these days. Since her last hit at Lindy Groove she
has been a DJ at Seattle's Camp Jitterbug, the Vancouver Lindy Exchange, Swing City
Stockholm and the St. Petersburg Swing Dance Festival. She was head DJ in Herrang
for four weeks and was the selected DJ for the 2002 World Lindy Hop Championships.
10 Current Favorite Tunes (in no particular order):
What I Did For Love -- Irene Reid
Bye Bye Love -- Shirley Horn
Goin' to Chicago -- Lou Rawls
Jones - Duke Ellington
The Party's Over - Aaron Bell
Stormy Monday - Barbara Morrison
Nature Boy - Johnny Hartman
Lotus Blossom - Jimmy Witherspoon
This Bitter Earth - Laverne Butler
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
Charlie Hull
BIo and favorite song list coming soon...
Dax Hock Originally from San Diego he
has been teaching, competing, DJing, and performing internationally for the past seven
years. Dax is now based in Osaka Japan. He is the 2003 US Open Swing Dance
Champion, the leader of N'Back, and the founder of Mecha Kucha Swing.
Favorite song list coming soon...
David Jacoby (aka "Shorty
Dave") lives in New York City where he regularly DJs, dances, and frequents jazz
clubs. For 7+ years, he was the DJ coordinator and "House DJ" for Yehoodi.com's
weekly dance, The Frim Fram Jam, the most popular weekly dance in NYC. He has also DJed at
countless national events both competitions, exchanges, and workshop / camp
weekends, including the Sacramento Exchange, multiple SFLXs, Oakland Swing Dance
Festivals, and other California events. David has helped introduce several great jazz
musicians to the Lindy Hop community through his work with Jelly Roll Productions. In
2009, David was honored to be an executive producer of the historic Frankies 95th
Birthday Festival in NYC, personally overseeing the 15+ plus live bands.
Some Favorite Songs:
Trios:
Down By The Riverside - Benny Green Trio
Don't Get Around Much Anymore - The Three Sounds
Shiny Stockings - Gene Harris
For Dancers Only - Junior Mance
Moten Swing - Oscar Peterson Trio
Moanin' - Bobby Timmons
You Are My Sunshine - Eddie Thompson Trio
Vocals:
Honeysuckle Rose - Eva Cassidy
Stormy Monday - Barbara Morrison
DB Blues - Lorez Alexandria
A Foggy Day - Chuck Brown
I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - Lou Rawls
Evenin' - Joe Williams
Other:
Hard Times - Fathead Newman / Ray Charles
Rockin' In Rhythm - Duke Ellington
Blues in Hoss's Flat - Count Basie
Easy Does It - The Big 18
Kansas City Riffs - Buster Smith
Barn 12 - Harry James
Matt "Moo Cow" Jones is a
founding partner of Four on the Floor, the Austin, Texas dance studio which specializes in
Lindy Hop and Jazz Era dances. Matt has been teaching Swing and Lindy Hop in Austin
continuously since 1996. He, and his partner in Four on the Floor, Laura Malloy, have
trained a large staff of teachers. Together, they run the Four on the Floor Tuesday night
classes and 9:45 dance in Austin, in addition to the annual February Texas Swing Riot.
Matt has been a guest instructor in San Antonio, New Orleans and Tampa, and was on staff
as an associate instructor at Lindy U in 2001 and at the BeanTown mini-camp in 2002. Over
the last two years, Matt has begun to deejay extensively in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas
and Houston. He deejayed at Lindy U, the Austin Lindy Exchange (2000 and 2001), the Great
Southwest Lindy Fest (2002), the Albany Lindy Exchange (2002), the Eastern Canada Swing
Championships (2002), BeanTown (2002), and the 2nd Anniversary of 411 in Tampa (2002). He
has also been asked to deejay at S.O.N.H., the Cleveland Lindy Exchange and the Austin
Lindy Exchange. For information on Four on the Floor, please go to www.fouronthefloor.com
My favorite CDs (as of today):
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance and Barbecue
Don Byas - Melody in Swing
Cats and the Fiddle - Killin' Jive
Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry - Tenor Giants
Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra - Walk 'Em, the Decca Sessions
Etta Jones - Don't Go to Strangers
Louis Jordan - At The Swing Cats Ball
Jenny Lobel and the Swing Kings - He Ain't Got Rhythm
Jimmy Lunceford - Lunceford Special
Gene Harris & Brother Jack McDuff - Down Home Blues
Tom Mitchell & Kevin Wimmer - Double Scotch
Hot Lips Page - Jump for Joy
Django Reinhardt - All-Star Sessions
Artie Shaw - Self-Portrait
Dinah Washington - Volume 6 of the Complete Dinah Washington on Mercury
Lester Young - The "Kansas City" Sessions
13 Songs that you would hear in my set at the Fed BallRoom tonight:
Slippin' And Slidin' by Sidney Bechet
Melody in Swing by the Don Byas Quartet
Don't Knock It by the Delta Rhythm Boys
Let Me Off Uptown by Roy Ellridge ('75 Happy Time session)
Wings and Things by Duke Ellington
Esquire Bounce by Coleman Hawkins & Feather's Esquire All-Stars
Shufflin' and Rollin' by Buddy Johnson and his Orchestra
Doug the Jitterbug by Louis Jordan
Your Mother's Son-in-Law by Jennie Lobel
The Party's Over by Jack McDuff
Topsy by Tom Mitchell and Kevin Wimmer
Grabtown Grapple by Artie Shaw
Short and Sweet by Louis Armstrong
Kalman has been hitting the magic green
button throughout the southwest for several years. He has been an organizer, officer and
president of the Dallas Swing Dance Society and still runs their events schedule. In
addition, he has DJed many different dances and exchanges throughout the country,
including the Atlanta, Austin (2 years), Dallas (2 years), Houston, Philadelphia, DC, Las
Vegas & New Orleans Lindy Exchanges (2 years) as well as two stints at NYC's Swing 46.
Top 10 ~
A Tribute to Andy Razaf - Maxine Sullivan
Krazy Kapers - Duke Heitger
Breakfast Dance & BBQ - Count Basie
Blues & Things - Jimmy Rushing, Earl Hines
Satch & Josh - Count Basie, Oscar Peterson
The Columbia Master Takes - Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart
Never No Lament - Duke Ellington
Complete Decca - Count Basie
Roll 'Em - Buddy Johnson
Satch Play Fats - Louis Armstrong
Larry Kang has been active in the lindy
scene since 1998, when he was a founding partner of Yehoodi.com. After a spell in Denver,
he's back in New York, where he currently spins Friday nights at Connolly's. A part of the
Frim Fram rotation, he's played at the Basie Centennial and a variety of NY events.
"New" CDs I like:
Jane Monheit - Taking a Chance on Love
Various Artists - Chiaroscuro Jazz - For Dancers Only! (2004)
Diana Krall - Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival (2004) (DVD rip)
Ray Charles - Ray! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Joss Stone - Soul Sessions
Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane
Various Artists - Lackawanna Blues Soundtrack (2005)
CDs I like: (As of 4/02)
Ella Fitzgerald : Sunshine Of Your Love (1969)
Frank Sinatra : Sinatra At The Sands (1966)
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra : Live In Swing City (1999)
Stacey Kent : Let Yourself Go (2000)
Diana Krall : When I Look In Your Eyes (1998)
Gene Harris : Best Of The Concord Years (2000)
Bobby Timmons : Moanin' Blues (1960)
Lou Rawls : Legendary Lou Rawls (1992)
Joe Carroll and the Ray Bryant Trio
Slam Stewart: Slam Bam (Black and Blue Sessions)
Betty Roche: Take the A Train (1956)
Blossom Dearie : Once Upon A Summertime (1958)
Nikki Klaus has played music for
dancers at Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, Lindy Binge in LA, OC Lindy Exchange, Sugar Foot
Stomp in Alhambra, The Rhythm is Jumpin' in Pasadena, Lindy on the Rocks in Denver,
Swingin' the Colony in Atescadero, and is the favorite DJ at Tia Juana's in Irvine. Her
style is simple: Nikki plays music that she wants to dance to.
Favorite Songs:
Blues my Naughty Sweetie Give to Me - Sidney Bechet
Exactly Like You - Django Reinhardt
Jive at Five - Count Basie
Bug Them Dice - Fat's Waller
Let's Get Happy Together - Lil Hardin-Armstrong
At Sundown - Artie Shaw
Honeysuckle Rose - Kay Star
Broadway - Count Basie
Darktown Strutters Ball - Chick Webb
Summit Ridge Drive - Artie Shaw
Marcus Koch World of Swing Some current favorites (random
order):
Bill Haley's Decca Recordings
Stargazers - Back to Orbit/Rocket ship To The Moon
Dean Mora - Mr. Ghost goes to Town
Swing Session - Swing Session
Casey McGill and The Spirits of Rhythm
Red Caps - Red Caps
Bill Elliott - Call of a Jitterbug
Janis Martin - The Female Elvis (Bear Family)
Indigo Swing - All Aboard
Louis Jordan (Bear Family Box)
Chick Webb (I don't remember the CD title)
Mighty Blue Kings - Meet in uptown
Cab Calloway - Hep to the Jive
Jukebox Jamboree and Lindy Hop Jamboree (whole series 1-7)
Paolo "Pasta" Lanna began
discovering the early social jazz dances while living in California in the early 90's.
When he returned to New York City, he met Janice Wilson and shortly thereafter won the
Showcase Lindy Hop division at their first American Swing Dance Championships together. He
later had the great fortune to dance on tour with Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center
Jazz Orchestra, Swing Dance America, and has appeared on numerous TV programs since from
CNBCs Great Stuff to The David Letterman Show demonstrating The Lindy. Drawing
inspiration from dancers such as Frankie Manning, Dawn Hampton, Dickie Harris, all who
have storied experiences from the original Ballrooms of Harlem, Paolo continues to
explore the roots of dance and still dedicates time to hosting dance events in NY such as
his Central Park Swings. Paolo has been building his collection of jazz and swing for 25
years. A solid music provider for the New York Lindy crowd for over 6 years, he began his
music consultant relationship at Swing 46 from their very first opening providing them
with solid standards and unique collection spanning 60 years. Paolo has been in DJ
rotation at the New York Swing Dance Society and Jacks Joint since the late 1990's and has
also DJ'd Frim Fram, The American Lindy Hop Championships , MidSummer Night Swing at
Lincoln Center, 92nd Street Y and more. Most recently Paolo took 1st Place "Open
Routine" at the 2003 New York Lindy Hop Open but don't let that fool you. He's just a
Italian Paesano at heart. www.savoycentral.org
Some of Paolo's favorite songs
Laughing At Life - Etta Jones with Houston Person
Whack 'Em (Dance Mix)- Joey DeFrancesco
Volare - Earl Grant
When My Sugar Walks By - Oscar Peterson
Won't Rock and Roll (Dance Mix) Nat King Cole
Sermonette - Ella Fitzgerald
You're Driving Me Crazy - Frank Sinatra
Hello Dolly - Bobby Darin
Irene Reid - I'm Walkin
Work Song - Sammy Davis Jr.
Chris Lee is a Jazz Aficionado that
loves music that speaks to the people! He has traveled the globe and dejayed at dance
festivals. As a passionate Jazz Dancer, Chris other interest are other dance forms such
Tap, Modern, Jazz, Salsa and Martial Arts. In the past 9 years he has been working as a DJ
for dance clubs and Jazz festivals. In 2005 placed 2nd at the World DJ Championships in
England. Chris loves to play music for dancers!
Some Favorites:
Duke Ellington and the all star band- A Mellow Tone
Ella Fitzgerald - Lullaby o Birdland cote d'azure concerts
Helen Humes - Voo-It 1945
Willie Bryant and his Orchestra - Liza
Brother Jones - sweet GA Brown
Buddy DeFranco- Summit Ridge Drive
Count Basie- Jive at Five
Chick Webb- spinning the webb
Fats Waller- The Yacht Club Swing
Fletcher Henderson- Wrappin' It Up (the lindy glide)
Jeremy Lewis started his dancing
career in the winter of 1998, although he had been a fan of jazz and swing since his
teens. As of January 2003, he has taken over the role of DJ at San Francisco's well-known
venue 9:20 Special. He has DJed for several local venues in San Francisco, as well
as DJing at ALX 2000, ALX 2003, SoFLeX 2003, SFLX 2001, and SFLX 2003. He has also guest
DJed on Yehoodi radio. He was lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful local DJs at the
beginning of his career who turned him on to great song after great song- people like Paul
and Sharon, Erik Hamilton, Marc D'Olympio, and Jesse Miner.
Most of Jeremy's favorite songs are covered in the rest of the bios here, so here's a list
of a few of his favorites not appearing on any other lists..
My Love Is- Little Willie John
School Days- Dizzy Gillespie (Joe Carroll singing)
Some of This 'N' Some of That [Studio Version]- Joe Williams
Things Ain't What They Used To Be- Count Basie (Basie In Europe)
Soul Shoutin'- Shirley Scott
Now Has Jazz- Louis Armstrong
Wade In The Water- The Soul Stirrers
Mary Don't You Weep- The Swan Silvertones
Shout and Feel It- Kansas City Soundtrack
Golden Earrings- Ray Bryant Trio
Nathan Malone has been DJing in Austin for
several years. He has DJed at Lindy Gras (02' and 03'), the Houston Lindy Exchange, the
San Francisco Lindy Exchange 2003, LOLX (Oklahoma Exchange), Frankie Manning's 89th
Birthday cruise, and numerous venues in the Austin/San Antonio metro area. In addition, to
DJing, he has served as one of the organizers for several Austin Lindy Exchanges and has
held a variety of Officer positions for the Austin Swing Syndicate. He has been dancing
since 1995 and owns over 3,000 CDs from a wide variety of musical genres (original CDs,
not CDRs).
Ten recommended albums that he likes and often DJs from (not really a true top ten, since
he finds it so hard to narrow things down to ten.
Jive Is Jumpin: RCA and Bluebird Vocal Groups 1939-52
Yoko Noge - Struttin' With Yoko
Live at 9:20 Special - Barbara Morrison
Baby, You Got What It Takes - Kevin Mahogany
Slim Gaillard - Proper Box
Ella and Duke - Live at Cote D'Azur
Ella Fitzgerald - Jukebox Ella
Ray Charles - Blues + Jazz
Nat King Cole - King Swings
Gene Harris and Jack McDuff - Down Home Blues
and any number of Basie and Louis Armstrong records, hard to pick just one.
Ryan Mascaro is a music and dance dork. Ryan likes to play
music for other dance dorks. He also likes to watch the girlies dance. Anyone got change
for a Fitty?
Albums I Love:
Eddie Condon - Dixieland All-Stars
Lionel Hampton - Muskrat Ramble
Chick Webb - Strictly Jive
Jimmy Witherspoon - The Spoon Concerts
Sidney Bechet - The Fabulous Sidney Bechet
Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Trio +1 w/ Clark Terry
Louis Armstrong - Best of the Hot Fives and Hot Seven Recordings
Monty Alexander - Live at Montreux
Duke Ellington - Recollections of the Big Band Era
Roy Eldridge - The Big Sound of Little Jazz
Count Basie - Complete Decca
A Few Songs I surprisingly never get sick of:
Ill See you in my Dreams (Any)
Oh, Lady Be Good (Artie Shaw)
Sweet Georgia Brown (Any)
Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! (Chick Webb or Red Norvo)
Topsy (Basie)
Travel On (Della Reese)
Honeysuckle Rose (Fats Waller)
Evenin (Basie with Jimmy Rushing)
Viper Mad (Bechet/Williams)
Moten Swing (Oscar Peterson)
Frenesi (Shaw)
Merry F***in Christmas (Southparks own Mr. Garrison)
Thain Maurer loves all kinds of
swing music, and prides himself on playing a wide range of music when he djs. He has been
spinning since 1999, and has enjoyed djing at events, competitions, and exchanges all
across the country. Thain currently lives in Austin, Texas and is Austins dj
coordinator.
Some random favorite songs:
Fats Waller The Minor Drag
Count Basie Blues in Hosss Flat
Lionel Hampton Ring Them Bells
Django Reinhardt Topsy
Sidney Bechet Egyptian Fantasy
Junior Mance Yancey Special
Artie Shaw Dr Livingstone, I Presume?
Oscar Peterson Mumbles
Nina Simone I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free
Duke Ellington Festival Junction
Meeshi has been studying, teaching and choreographing dance independently now for more than 10 years. He has studied a plethora of movement styles including West African, Brazilian, Cuban and modern dance, but it was the Lindy Hop that finally captivated his heart. Since 1996, Meeshi has studied extensively with some of the best Lindy dancers in the world, most notably Steven Mitchell, and his DJing has inspired dancers around the country! Meeshi runs two successfull venues in San Diego, The Firehouse (Thursdays) and CafeSavoy (Fridays). More information can be found at www.swingorama.com
Meeshi's 10 favorite albums (in no particular order):
Theolonious Monk Trio with Art Blakey (self-entitled debut album)
US 3 - Hand on the Torch
Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate - Swingville
Eddie Miller with the Johnny Varro Trio - Street of Dreams
Count Basie and Oscar Peterson - Satch and Josh
The Ken Peplowski Quintet - The Natural Touch
Jonah Jones - Jumpin' with Jonah
PeeWee Russell - PeeWee's Song
Galactic - Crazyhorse Mongoose
Jim Cullum Jazz Band - Live from New York
Jesse Miner is a Mpls-turned-San
Francisco DJ who spins at the 9:20 special. His essential selections, in his words:
"Showcase the variety of the music I most enjoy dancing to and DJing (as well as
listening). They don't necessarily represent the entire range of
my musical interests, but they do highlight a specific area. They each contain several
songs which I enjoy dancing to and DJing..."
Jesse's essential swing CD list:
Ernestine Anderson - Great Moments With Ernestine Anderson
Count Basie/Duke Ellington - First Time! The Count Meets The Duke
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues: The Best Of Jimmy Witherspoon
Ella Fitzgerald/Duke Ellington - Bluella: Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Blues
Harry James - Trumpet Blues: The Best Of Harry James
Buddy Johnson - Walk 'Em: Decca Sessions
Slim Galliard - Laughing In Rhythm: The Best Of The Verve Years
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Gatemouth Swings
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - Live In Swing City: Swingin' With The Duke
Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - Everybody's Talkin' 'Bout Miss Thing
Big 18 - More Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands"
Carmen McRae - Priceless Jazz Collection
Ray Charles - Best Of Ray Charles (Atlantic)
Joe Williams/Count Basie - Live at Newport 1957
Dinah Washington - Best Of The Roulette Years
Oscar Peterson/Count Basie - Satch And Josh
Mary Stalling - Manhattan Moods
George Gee and His Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra - Live and Swingin
Sailor Mike (Los Angeles) bio
coming soon...
Rob Moreland (Raleigh) bio coming
soon...
Daniel Newsome (Denver)
Do not miss this visit! Dan is a very popular nationally recognized DJ that we have been
try to bring to LindyGroove for years. Get a taste of the weekly music of the vibrant
Denver Lindy scene.
bio coming soon...
www.23skidooland.com
Patty Or has been an active member of
the Houston Swing Dance Society since 1998. She teaches Lindy Hop at Houston's SSQQ studio
and is one of the original founders of Houston
Swing Out, (a non-political playground for the Houston Swing Dance Community) She also
organizes the monthly Borders venue, the annual Harvest Moon Ball, and was on the
committee of the 1st Houston Lindy Exchange. Patty has traveled quite a bit over the
last 2 years during which developed her obession for collecting music and Exchange
t-shirts. She can be heard regularly at Borders and occasionally at Numbers, Black Swan at
the Omni Hotel, Cotton Exchange, and HSDS. She DJed at the Houston and Austin Lindy
Exchanges.
Patty's current Top 10:
Junior Mance (anything)
Dianne Schuur w/ Count Basie Orchestra
Betty Roche (Takin' the A Train)
Ella Fitzgerald (Bluella)
Diana Krall (Stepping Out)
Harry Connick Jr. (almost anything)
Early Count Basie
Carmen McRae (Concord Jazz Series)
Ernestine Anderson
Blossom Dearie (Verve 51)
Soundtracks from -
Majestic
Metropolis (Japanese Anime)
Mona Lisa Smile
When Harry Met Sally
Kissing Jessica Stein
Just for fun-
Earth, Wind, Fire
Al Green
Marvin Gaye
Sinead O'Connor (Am I not your girl)
Basie Beatle Bag
Paul Overton and Sharon Ashe have been teaching and performing Lindy
Hop in the Bay Area and around the globe for the past eight years. In that time they have
built an extremely successful swing dance program based on their unique and effective
style of teaching and have toured the U.S. and Europe spreading the joy of Lindy Hop. In
San Francisco Paul and Sharon regularly teach over two-hundred students per month and run
one of the largest weekly dance parties in town called the 9:20 Special. They have had the
good fortune to teach and perform at some of the biggest and most well respected dance
camps in the world including Swing Camp Catalina, Swing Out New Hampshire, and Herrang
Dance Camp in Sweden. Currently, they live happily in Oakland, California with their dogs
Boyde and Pete. www.paulandsharon.com
Great Moments with/Best of Ernestine Anderson
Count Basie & Joe Williams (Verve)
Slim Gaillard - Cement Mixer Putti Putti
Mary Stallings - Manhattan Moods
The Best of Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Barbara Morrison - I'm Gettin 'Long All Right
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra - Spirit of the Black Territory Bands
Dinah Washington (Best of) on Roulette
Betty Roche - Take the A Train
Basie's Golden '58 on Phontastic ("The best Basie!")
Jon Perry, one of the Arizona's best
swing DJ's, plays an assortment of music ranging from the sweet grooves of the Duke with
Ella, to funk with Lionel Hampton, to hip hop fusion of Jurasic 5. He has attended
numerous events and exchanges accross the country constantly taking notes of amazing music
from some of the best DJ's around. His musical selection influences come from Peter
Loggins of LA, Jesse Minor of San Francisco, Manu Smith of New York and Tom Frazier of
Rochester. Phoenix dancers used to be able to groove to Jon's music every Thursday at the
Bash on Ash, and he can now can be heard monthly at the Tuesday Bash on Ash and at
Jitterbugz.
Top 10 Albums:
Lionel Hampton - For the Love of Music
Coleman Hawkins - The Genius of Coleman Hawkins
Duke Elington & Ella Fitzgerald - Ella At Dukes Place
R&B of 1949 (2 disc compiliation)
Risque Rhythms
Count Basie - Atomic Basie
Eddie Thompson Trio - Ain't She Sweet
Count Basie & Milt Jackson - Best of the Big Bands Vol. 2
Claude Williams - Swingin' The Blues
Wycleff Gordon - Slindin' Home
Gene Harris - The Concord Years
Vegas Nick a.k.a. Nick Peterson,
has been lindyhopping for nearly four years. Having competed for the last three, he
recently placed first in the ALHC Pacific Regional Qualifier with his partner Shannon. He
currently DJs at Vegas' two local events, as well as having DJed at Tip and Mike's
SwingPit, AZ's New Year's Swing Jam, The Lindy Cruise, the Desert Lindy Dance Camp, The
Binge, Phoenix Exchange, and of course the Head DJ for SCX!
Top 10 songs you will most likely hear in Vegas:
1. I'm Outta Love - Anastascia
2. Speak Softly Love - Harry Connick Jr.
3. Let's Get Together - Duke Ellington
4. Jumpin' At The Woodside - Duke and Basie
5. Oh, What A Beautiful Morning - Lou Rawls
6. Frankie and Johnny - Sam Cooke
7. Bad Mood - Lonnie Gordon
8. Scotch and Soda - Lou Rawls
9. Baby, Workout - Jackie Wilson
10. Cry To Me - Solomon Burke
Abdel B. Présumé The man with
the music. Tampa (and arguably Florida's) leading swing DJ. He began DJing in 1999 and has
become one of the nation's most popular DJs. His music collection currently spans 9
decades and over hundreds of artists. Abdel's style focuses on being a conduit between the
dancers and the music, establishing connections between each of the songs that keep the
dancers anticipating each new development in an evening. By maintaining both a variety and
a flow of music, Abdel ensures that the dancers remain invigorated and excited, inspiring
them to adapt as at the music evolves over the course of an evening. You might have heard
him recently spun at Herrang 2005, ALHC 2005, Southern Bells Swing, WMNF 88.5 Radio &
Lindy Focus IV. http://www.abdelpresume.com
Some Favorite Songs (As of 1/2006)
Charlie Barnet - The Right Idea
Count Basie - Every Tub
Benny Goodman - Scarecrow
Buddy Johnson - Opus Two
Bunny Berigan - Troubled
Duke Ellington - Jubilesta
Lionel Hampton - Down Home Jump
Erskine Hawkins - Big Fat Sam
Johnny Hodges - Peckin'
Teddy Hill - King Porter Stomp
Andy Kirk - Mess-A-Stomp
John Kirby - The Turf
Jimmie Lunceford - I Need A Lift
Jim McVea - Jam Boogie
Lucky Millinder - Who Said Shorty Wasn't Coming Back
Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing
Stuff Smith - Onyx Club Spree
Tab Smith - Dee Jay Special
Artie Shaw - One Foot In The Groove
Buddy Tate - Two Left Feet
Fats Waller - The Yatch Club Swing
Chick Webb - Breakin' 'Em Down
Dickie Wells - Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
Teddy Wilson - Spreading Rhythm Around
The Big 18 - Swingtime IN The Rockies
Some Favorite Albums (As of 3/2003)
Ernestine Anderson Concord Jazz Heritage Series
Louis Armstrong 16 Most Requested Songs
Lavern Baker Lavern Sings Bessie Smith
Charlie Barnet Clap Hands, Here Comes...
Count Basie Atomic Swing
Count Basie The Best Of Early Basie
Cab Calloway King Of Hi-De-Ho 1934-1947
Natalie Cole Unforgettable With Love
Larry Clinton The Uncollected 1937-1938
Duke Ellington First Time Count Meets Duke
Benny Goodman Sing, Sing, Sing
Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Sides (Jazz Masters 46)
Erskine Hawkins Riff Time
Billie Holliday The Silver Collection
Illinois Jacquet Jumpin' At Apollo
Jimmie Lunceford Lunceford Special 1939-40
Renée Manning As Is (hard to find)
Lucky Millinder Back Beats
Oscar Peterson Night Train
Risqué Rhythm Nasty 50's R&B (Compilation)
Buster Smith The Legendary Buster Smith
Sam Taylor Swingstation
Chick Webb Strictly Jive
Ben Webster Cotton Tail
Cootie Williams Do Nothing Until You Hear...
Joe Williams The Best Of (Blue Note)
Favorite Albums by Category: (As of 3/2002)
Small Jazz Combos:
Erroll Garner - Jazz Portraits
The Three Sounds - Black Orchid
Bjork Guomundsdottir & Trio - Gling Glo
Eddie Thompson Trio - Aint She Sweet
Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk (Prestige)
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Boy Named Charlie Brown
Jazz & Big Band Vocalists:
Slim Gaillard - Laughing in Rhythm: Volume 1
Various - Pure Jazz (Verve)
Natalie Cole - Unforgettable: with Love
Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald - Blue Ella
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie - Ella and Basie
Ernestine Anderson - Concord Jazz Heritage Series
Jump Blues & Blues Vocalists:
Alberta Hunter - Amtrak Blues
Jazz Moods - Groovin The Blues
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Lou Rawls - The Legendary Lou Rawls
Clarence Gatemouth Brown - Gate Swings
Wynonie Harris - Bloodshot Eyes-The Best of
Big Band Jazz:
Count Basie - Count Basie At New Port
Count Basie - LIVE at the Sands (before Frank)
Ray Anthony Orchestra - Swingin' Back To The 40's
The Big 18 - Live Echoes Of The Swingin' Big Band
Buddy Johnson Orchestra - Swingin' the Blues
Cab Calloway - Are You Hep to the Jive
Current Swing Bands:
The Hotfoot Club - Don't Ever Say Goodbye
Yalloppin' Hounds - Ghetto Swing Extreme!
Lincoln Center Jazz Orch. - Live In Swing City
Lily Wild & Her Jumpin Jubillée Orch. - Insect Ball
Lavay Smith - Everybody's Talking' 'bout Miss Thing!
Yoko Noge & the Jazz Me Blues - Struttin' with Yoko
Tony Quach started DJing at Pointe 705 with Peter Flahiff who got him hooked on Jazz history and introduced him to his favorite piano player, Oscar Peterson. He has DJed at San Diego's Fire House, Café Savoy and for their 2002 New Years Exchange. Tony was an after-hours DJ at Swing Camp Catalina 2002 and is the house DJ at Lindy Groove.
Favorite Songs:
Moten Swing - Oscar Peterson
Blues For Pres, Sweets, Ben & All The Other Funky Ones - Oscar Peterson & Sonny
Stitt
I love Being Here With You - Diana Krall
My Love Is - Diana Krall
Easy Does It - Most Versions Especially Oscar Petersons
Perdido - Carmen McCrae
Sassys Blues - Sarah Vaughan
Moneys Getting Cheaper - Jimmy Witherspoon
Lets Fall In Love - Louis Armstrong And Oscar Peterson
C-Jam Blues AKA Dukes Place - Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington
Rif has been dancing Lindy Hop for 3 1/2
years, and DJing around Boston for over three years. For the last year, he's been DJing a
weekly jazz and blues show on WMBR 88.1 FM in Cambridge (catch it online
http://wmbr.mit.edu), and DJing and teaching lessons at MIT's weekly dance. He recently
competed at the North Atlantic Dance Championships with the Lindy group Hopology. He
enjoys playing and dancing to a wide range of music, from classic swing era recordings to
modern jazz.
Favorite Tunes:
Hard Times - Ray Charles/Hank Crawford OR Houston Person OR Jimmy McGriff
You Are My Sunshine - Bill Henderson w/Oscar Peterson OR Ray Charles OR Gene Harris
St. James Infirmary - Lou Rawls OR Junior Mance OR Doc and Richard Watson OR Benny Goodman
On The Sunny Side of the Street - Illinois Jacquet OR Billie Holliday
In A Mellow Tone - Oscar Peterson OR Betty Roche
D & E - Oscar Peterson
Under the Lowest - Nina Simone
Chilly Winds Don't Blow - Nina Simone
Blues Jam - Otis Spann
Sherry - Hank Crawford
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted - Junior Mance
Perdido St. Blues - Louis Armstrong
Imagine My Frustration - Ella Fitzgerald
Late Date - Ben Webster
Midnight Blues (Red Shirt) - Jimmy Witherspoon
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Nina Simone
Moten Swing - Count Basie
Smooth Sailing - Ella Fitzgerald
Duke Ellington - Back Room Romp (A Contrapuntal Stomp)
Favorite Albums:
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance and Barbecue
Kenny Burrell - A Generation Ago Today
Laverne Butler - Blues In The City
Johnny Hodges - Everybody Knows
Ernestine Anderson - Great Moments With Ernestine Anderson
Junior Mance - Harlem Lullaby/I Believe To My Soul
Hank Crawford - Heart and Soul
Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Plays the Duke Ellington Songbook
Jimmy Witherspoon - Singin' the Blues
Otis Spann - Best of the Vanguard Years
Ben Webster - Soulville
Jay McShann (w/Duke Robillard + Maria Muldaur) - Still Jumpin' the Blues
Lou Rawls w/Les McCann - Stormy Monday
Betty Roche - Take the "A" Train
Gene Harris - Best of the Concord Years
Joe Turner and Count Basie - The Bosses
Roy Rydbeck (Chicago)
Roy has been dancing Lindy Hop for 8 years and DJing for 6 years. Roy started his Lindy
Hop life in San Francisco and shortly thereafter moved to Tampa where he is a founding
member of the Tampa Bay Lindy Hop scene. In June of 2000 Roy moved to Chicago where he
continued dancing and DJing. In June of 2005 Roy moved back to where he started dancing in
San Francisco. Roy has DJed at WCLX2, WCLX3, WCLX4, WCLX5 , WCLX6. Black and Tan/02 and
05, LindyU, Fizz, StudioX and LBTL, Frim Fram, Lindy Groove, Friday Night Blues
(SF),SoFlex/02 through 06, LindyGras 03 & 05, SFLX05, CLX03, and 04, and the St.
Petersburg Swing Dance Festival. Roy likes to mix a variety of swinging music styles most
of what he plays tends to be groove, swinging blues, Big Band, and pre-45 small jazz
combo's.
Some of Roy's favorites:
Ray Brown Trio-Soular Energy
Roy Eldridge-Happy Time
Gene Harris and the Philip Morris Superband-World Tour 1990
Duke Ellingtong/Johnny Hodges - Side by Side
Duke Ellington-Dance Concerts California-1958 vol.2
Franz Jackson-The Fabulous
Budd Johnson-Budd Johnson and the 4 Brass Giants
Earl Hines - 1934-1937
Charlie Christian-Genius of Electric Guitar
Eddie Condon-Chicago Style
Lucky Milannder-Appolo Jump
Sam Price and his Texas Blusicians-1929-1941
Fats Waller-A Career Perspective
Count Basie-America's #1 Band
Earl Hines & Jimmy Rushing-Blues and Things
Louis Armstong-Tribute to Fats Waller
Syed Sadaqathullah spins at
various house parties and special events in Los Angeles. He is currently the backup DJ for
salsa nights at Club Zabumba in West LA. He enjoyed DJing for dancers at 'Funky Tuesdays'
in Herrang, Sweden and is excited to DJ for LindyGroove.
Some of the recommended songs and albums(not in any order)
Rock me baby --- Miss Mickey Champion
Love me or Leave me ---Nina Simone
Kansas city riffs ---Buster Smith
Frost Bite -- Albert Collins
It dont mean a thing ---Wycliffe Gordon
Special delivery Stomp --- Peter Davis and lindy hop heaven
Great Summit master takes ---Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington
Ella And Basie
Al Grey featuring Arnett Cobb and Jimmy Forest
James Brown (anything)
Jenn Salvadori and Justin Zillman,
from Orange County, CA have been dancing together since December of 1997. They are the
1999 Pacific Regional, American Lindy Hop Champions, organized the first Los
Angeles/Orange County Lindy Exchange and have DJ'd across America from Hawaii to New York
City.
Top Ten Favorite Songs... in no particular order...
1) Cottontail - Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
2) Stomp it Off - Jimmie Lunceford
3) Moten Swing - Bennie Moten
4) Moten Swing - Oscar Peterson
5) Frankie and Johnny - Sam Cooke
6) Stormy Monday - Gene Harris and Jack McDuff
7) Jimtown Blues - Fletcher Henderson
8) Lunceford Special - Jimmie Lunceford
9) Squatty Roo - Johnny Hodges
10) Swing Out - Henry Red Allen and his Orchestra
Doug Silton, began swing
dancing in 1992 and for the past seven years, he has been teaching, competing, and
performing internationally. Doug is a two-time American Lindy Hop Champion (2001 Strictly
Division and 2002 Classic Division) and is the co-founder of LindyGroove. You can find him
online at www.dougsilton.com
Top Albums (in no order)
1. Ernestine Anderson, Be Mine tonight
2. Kenny Burrell, Midnight Blue
3. Solomon Burke, The Very Best Of...
4. Sam Cooke, The Man Who Invented Soul (4 CD Box Set)
5. Mose Allison, Greatest Hits
6. Wycliffe Gordon, Slidin Home
7. Carmen McRae, Priceless Jazz Collection
8. All Aboard: The Beach Boogie Train
9. Paris Combo, Living Room
10. Lionel Hampton, For The Love of Music
11. Corner Pocket, Easy Does It
12. Shirley Scott, Legends of Acid Jazz
13. Saturday Night at Ducks
14. Hampton Hawes Trio, Vol. 1
Matt Smiley You might remember
Matt from such events as NADC and ALHC. Matt have a little confession: He's not
really a DJ, he just play one at Lindygroove. Matt really just an poor dance bum from
Washington DC. Matt can't write whole novel-length posts on swing forums about why some
music swings and why other music does not swing. Matt doesn't know anything about music
theory. Alls Matt know is what Matt like.
Top 10 Songs:
1. "After You're Gone" - Gene Krupa
2. "Down, Down, Down" - Count Basie
3. "Frenesi" - Artie Shaw
4. "This Bitter Earth" - Laverne Butler
5. "Cottontail" - Duke Ellington
6. Anything by Slim & Slam
7. "I Got Rhythm" - Django
8. "And the Angels Sing" - Artie Shaw & Helen Forrest
9. Anything by Cats & the Fiddle
10. "Easy Does it" - Basie
Manu Smith (New York) has been dancing Lindy Hop for 4 years. During that time he has performed with the award-winning Lindy Hop performance troupe, The Grit Grinders, has placed 1st in Dance Pros Summer Hummer Jack & Jill Contest, Midsummer Night Swing Jack & Jill, NADC 2002 Pro-AM and Strictly Lindy divisions and The Swing! on Broadway dance contest. He's made Lindy Hop appearances on CBS's Good Day New York, NBC's Garth Brooks Christmas Special and PBS's Swingin' With Duke with Wynton Marsalis. Manu teaches Lindy Hop at Dance Manhattan Dance Studios in New York and many workshops around the globe including the North Atlantic Dance Championships 2002 and the Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden. He has DJd many places and runs the Tuesday night Frim Fram Jam at the Swing46 Jazz & Supper Club in New York. You can find his web-master-handiwork at the premier Swing and Lindy Hop website catering to the United States' "Hard-Core Hep-Cat" community at www.yehoodi.com.
Top 10 Playlist (in no particular order)
1. Aaron Bell - Kumquat
2. Jo Jones - Jive at Five
3. Count Basie - Splanky
4. Carla Cook - The Way You Look Tonight
5. Slim & Slam - (Pretty much anything they play)
6. Basie & Peterson - Buns Blues
7. Cab Calloway - (All his hep-cat tunes)
8. Nat King Cole - (Too many titles to list)
9. Charles Earland - More Today Than Yesterday
10. Erroll Garner - That's My Kick
11. Ella, Ella, Ella!!! *one more for good measure
Slick Mike a.k.a. Mike Smith
(Boston)
has been a lindy hop DJ for over five years. He is one of New England's favorite DJ's and
is based in Boston where he DJs at the Monday Night Practice Session and is a house DJ for
Swing City. His other DJ credits include: Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden, North Atlantic
Dance Championships, Swingin' New England, New England Swing Dance Championships, Yehoodi
Y2, Yehoodi Y3A, Frankie Manning's 87th Birthday, and the Beantown Lindy Camp. He is also
a popular late-night lindy DJ at various lindy hop exchanges around the country. Mike
currently teaches Lindy Hop with Kerrin Flannagin through www.itsallswing.com. (Mike's song List coming soon)
Tonya Surface has been djing swing & jazz music for over 5 years and
enjoys djing for dancers. Tonya is currently one of the house dj's at the beautiful
Century Ballroom; Seattle's premiere swing venue. Also, Tonya was recently invited to dj
at the famous Paramount Theatre in Seattle. She has also dj'd in several cities including
Seattle, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Boston. She was a favorite in the Lindy
Summit dj battle, and is looking forward to djing the whole night at Lindy Groove in
Pasadena, CA!
14 favorite albums:
Duke Ellington: Masterpieces 1926-1949 (box set)
Count Basie: The Complete Decca Recordings
Charlie Barnet & his Orchestra: Make Believe Ballroom 1935-1939
Sidney Bechet & Friends: Compact Jazz
The Hollwood Sessions: The Capitol Jazzmen
Lucky Millinder: Jumpin' at the Savoy
Lester Young: From a Cool Perspective
Small Groups Boogie Woogie
Hadda Brooks: I've Got News For You
Benny Goodman & his Orchestra: The Harry James years Vol 1
An Anthology of Big Band Swing
Larry Clinton 1937-1938
Cotton Club Orchestra
The best of Harry James: Trumpet Blues
Ryan Sweeney a.k.a. DJ Britannica (San Francisco) has been
dancing and collecting jazz music for four years. He also doesn't like talking about
himself in the third person (doing so is only fun when speaking in incomplete sentences
and using a zombie voice - "Want...brains!" for example), but oh well. Come on,
what would a bio about Ryan be without something totally weird like that in it?
Anyway, at this point, he really doesn't have much else to say about himself, so thus
endeth his bio.
Ryan's top 10 list:
Jungle Nights in Harlem - Duke Ellington
The Hornet - Artie Shaw
A Viper's Moan - Willie Bryant/Mora's Modern Rhythmists
Four or Five Times - Jimmie Lunceford
Till Tom Special - Lionel Hampton
G. T. Stomp - Earl Hines
Wild Mab of the Fish Pond - Charlie Barnet
Queer Notions - Fletcher Henderson
Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
The Minor Goes Muggin' - Tommy Dorsey
Kevin Tamura has been a fixture in the Seattle lindy hop
community as a dancer, performer and DJ since 1998. He enjoys spinning a variety of swing
tunes from the 30s to contemporary jazz.
11 Favorite CDs (in no order):
Definitive Columbia Best Recordings - Count Basie
Newport - Count Basie
Genius of the Electric Guitar - Charlie Christian
Yes Indeed - Tommy Dorsey
Blanton Webster Band - Duke Ellington
...and His Mother Called Him Bill - Duke Ellington
Everybody Knows... - Johnny Hodges
Jumpin' for Joy - Teddy Wilson
Soular Energy - Ray Brown Trio Featuring Gene Harris
A Fine Romance 2 - Billy Holiday and Lester Young
15 songs I'm likely to spin lately:
Jumping on the Black and Whites - Teddy Wilson
Stormy Monday - Ernestine Anderson
Shiny Stokings - Gene Harris
Mirror Goes Muggin' - Tommy Dorsey
Feeding the Bean - Count Basie
Sometimes I'm Happy - Lester Young
Saboo - Erskine Hawkins
Pick Side - Billy Strayhorn
Such Sweet Thunder - Duke Ellington
King Porter Stomp - KC Band
Harlem Airshaft - LCJO
When the Quails Come Back to San Quentin - Artie Shaw
310 Blues - Johnny Hodges
Up-n-Adam - Lester Young
Back Room Romp - Widespread Depression Orchestra
Trager started DJ'ing in San Francisco in late 2000, offering the groove-centric City by the Bay some LA/OC flavor. Unfortunately, he got corrupted by the northerners, and now plays as much groove as soul and swing.
Top 10 Albums (in no order)
1. Oscar Peterson, Night Train (Verve)
2. Harlem Swings (compilation)
3. Decca Anthology of Big Band Jazz
4. Duke Ellington, 1938 (Chronological)
5. Basie, 1936-1938 (Chronological)
6. Gene Harris, Best of the Concord Years
7. Ray Charles, Best of Ray Charles (Atlantic)
8. Sam Cooke, The Man Who Invented Soul
9. Oscar Peterson Trio w/Clark Terry, Plus One (Verve)
10. Pretty Much Every Badass Who Played Jazz and Didn't Die Before 1960,
The Greatest Jazz Concert In The World (Pablo)
Top 15 Cuts You're Likely To Hear When I'm Spinning:
1. Black and Tan Fantasy (Ellington '38, LCJO, or Ellington/Armstrong)
2. You Are My Sunshine (Ammons, Ray Charles, Gene Harris, or Henderson/OP)
3. Moten Swing (Bennie Moten Orchestra, occasionally OP Trio or Basie)
4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Sam Cooke)
5. Blues for Jezebel (Gene Harris)
6. Exactly Like You (Sam Cooke, Woody Herman, Basie, Simone, McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans or
Harris/Brown)
7. Night Train (OP Trio, once in a while LCJO)
8. Daytrain (OP Trio)
9. Carioca (Artie Shaw)
10. Get the Mop (Henry "Red" Allen -- both half and full speed versions)
11. Minka (Spike Jones)
12. Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie (Barnet or Norvo. I don't have Basie yet)
13. Blues for Stephanie (George Gee or Monty Alexander)
14. Corner Pocket (Ellington/Basie, Basie, or Corner Pocket)
15. One Mint Julep (Ray Charles, Junior Mance, or Ernestine Anderson)
Rayned Wiles Started dj'ing the
practice dance at the Avalon Studio in Baltimore in the mid 90's. Then started a swing
night with friends first at the 94th Aerosquadron in College Park MD and then at K2 Dance
in Beltsville MD. Subsequently started dj'ing at weekend events, dance camps, and National
competition events such as the Southwest Lindy Fest, Beantown, and the North Atlantic
Swing Dance Championships. Continues to dj at local and national events. Upcoming events
include Swing Fling in DC, the Harlem Jazz Festival in New York City, and Summer Hummer in
Boston.
top 10 playlist:
Songs:
One O'clock Jump
Roll 'Em Pete
Duke's Place/C Jam Blues
Lullaby of Birdland
Blue Monday Blues/Going to Kansas City
On The Sunny Side of the Street
Moten Swing
Shining Stockings
For Dancers Only
I Wanna Little Girl
Night Train
Albums:
Count Basie Complete Decca
Count Basie Jazz Profile
Ernestine Anderson Concord Jazz
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella
Jimmy Witherspoon, The 'Spoon Concerts
Johnny Hodges, Everyone Knows Johnny Hodges
Duke Ellington, The Duke: The Columbia Years
Jimmy Lunceford, Rhythm Is Our Business
Harry James, Trumpet Blues
Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart_Slim & Slam, 1938-1939.
Various Artists, Swinging at the Savoy: Home of Happy Feet 1937-45
Lionel Hampton, Tempo and Swing
Shana Worel started
playing and listening to jazz in her early teens and was thrilled when she found a hobby
that took advantage of her love of this music. She teaches several weekly lindy hop
classes and DJs at the Hootenanny in Boulder, CO. She has played at several national
events including: Boston Lindy Exchange, Montreal International Swing Dance Festival, Bill
Cameron's New Year's Extravaganza, the San Francisco Lindy Exchange, and the Denver Lindy
Exchange.
Some favorite albums:
Best of the Nat King Cole Trio (Vocal Classics 1942-46)
Lionel Hampton - Tempo and Swing
Diana Krall - All for You
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance and BBQ
Ella Fitzgerald - First Lady of Song
Dizzy Gillespie - School Days
Slim Gaillard - Laughin in Rhythm
Bill Henderson - Please Send Me Someone To Love
Oscar Peterson - Night Train
Julius Yang For some reason everyone
thinks Julius knows a lot about jazz. We regret to inform you that it is all book
learning. He does not listen to his miniscule jazz collection nearly enough. When he DJs
you and he will undertake a voyage of discovery together because he doesn't know what the
hell he's playing either.
10 randomly selected albums:
1. Count Basie Proper Box
2. Lester Young Proper Box
3. Teddy Wilson, His Piano and His Orchestra (with Billie Holiday)
4. Laverne Butler, Blues in the City
5. Artie Shaw, Concerto for Clarinet
6. Gene Krupa, Drummer Man
7. Lavay Smith, One Hour Mama
8. Maxine Sullivan, Tribute to Andy Razaf
9. Ella and Louis
10. Sweet and Lowdown Soundtrack
10 other randomly selected albums:
1. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
2. Lorraine Feather, New York City Drag
3. Karrin Allyson, Collage
4. Getz/Jobim/Gilberto, Getz/Gilberto
5. Gene Harris, A Little Piece of Heaven
6. Bud Powell, Bud Plays Bird
7. Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, Krupa and Rich
8. Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall 1938
9. Benny Carter, Further Definitions and Additions to Further Definitions
10. Lester Young, Complete Verve Sessions
Ben Yau and Sheri Kang, from
Pasadena, CA, both started dancing during the Spring of 1998 and met (and started
partnering) since the Summer of 1999. Together, they took third at the 2000 American Lindy
Hop Championships (American Showcase) and fourth at the 2000 World Lindy Hop
Championships. Their goal is to promote the goodwill and joy of swing dancing through both
their teaching and social dancing. Their website: http://www.one2swing.com
CURRENT FAVORITE SONGS
Moten Swing (just about any version, but preferably Oscar Peterson)
Easy Does It (Oscar Peterson)
C-Jam Blues
Night Train (Back To The Future soundtrack)
My Baby Just Cares For Me (Nina Simone)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
For Dancers Only
Shiny Stockings
Shout And Feel It (Swing Kids Soundtrack)
It Had To Be You
Shesha and Terra teach Classic Style
Swing Dance workshops around the country and host, teach, and DJ at their three Swing
Dance Clubs in Southern California. For the last 5 years they have been teaching many
forms of swing, as well as Shesha's 100 Famous Hat Tricks. They performed in Audrey
Wilson's Hot Stomp and Rhythm and then toured with Hop Star. In addition, they have
trained in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap Dance, and Crowd Pumping.
Shesha and Terra coined Classic Style Swing, an eclectic mix of many swing influences.
They also created and choreographed the Memories Dance Team and currently lead their Lindy
Hop Bomb Squad in Orange County. They run and own Classic Swing Studios and
http://www.swinginfo.com. They host, teach, and DJ at The Lindy Stop in Orange, 705 in
Hermosa Beach, and The Swing Out in Carlsbad.