SwingDJs

Perhaps a little counter to the present line of thinking but try decreasing the level on the computer and the input level on the PA. Try to do most of the amplification with the main volume on the PA. I have the Turtle Beach, it's great, a little weak in the mid tones but the overall output is too h...

Hell, I can do better than that. I'll give you an exact date and place: January 16th, 1938, Savoy Ballroom, New York, New York. It's the first one I'm programming into my time machine when it comes in the post. I'd be at Carnegie Hall for the Goodman concert the same night. Wouldn't miss the Honeys...

Does the music played by other DJ's also sound muddy? Is it a problem with one or both of the speakers, what about if you change the right and left around? If not of that remedies or isolates the problem, it's likely the sound system, I never liked the sound out of the passport we the U of S had a c...

Great interview! I hadn't caught a show in a while, I think I picked a good one.

The rhythm and blues drumming book sounds really interesting. Daniel needs to write a similar book on early swing and jazz drumming.

That's good to hear (and very un-Microsoft like). Perhaps it will actually be released this year like the press is predicting. Microsoft has really impressed me lately with they way they build software. It seems like they are finally listening smart people instead of junior code hackers and marketee...

With a sparse few exceptions, it fits the the erroneous premise the Bill Haley was around before Louis Armstrong. I think there are some decent selections and it's a fairly broad survey of jazz but the randomness of the selections detracts from the appeal. Having some sort of theme to the order like...

That someone couldn't recognize a trumpet. It took me some time before I could recognize the different saxes and trombone was tough. I can understand missing the difference between a cornet and a trumpet. Not recognizing the difference between brass and reeds is like not being able to tell the diffe...

That's a little extreme, but I know what you're saying. I've found big band swing to be the most accessible form of jazz to the untrained ear. It just takes exposure to great stuff from orchestras like Basie or Lunceford. The rhythm is infectious and the wall of sound that a big band can create riva...

The computer occupies that space. It also performs the role of television.

That's exactly it. We have a local Jazz DJ who I'm sure doesn't know that Jazz existed before WWII. She'll often incorrectly use the term "hot jazz" to mean cool jazz or perhaps "good" jazz. Whenever I get in a discussion with a ballroom dancer or non-dancer about what kind of mu...

I just listen through my computer, it has an older Soundblaster Live audio card. Usually I'll use my Sennheiser HD457 headphones to listen when I care about audio quality. I'll use my crappy computer speakers if it's just for background noise. I don't really have the space or ability to make use of ...

There's still lots of stuff on iTunes that's protected. Anecdotal evidence suggests more than 50% is still protected, some albums are available in both formats. Since Amazon still hasn't started selling mp3's in Canada, the iTunes announcement is good news for me. I'd still prefer Amazon, I think th...

I'm not a musician so I'm quite dumb when it comes to understanding the technical aspects. I rely more on the intuitive, it works for me. I've tried to intellectualize what a swing rhythm is but I think swing is very ephemeral and contextual. I've read several descriptions of what a swing rhythm is,...

mr. e, are you asking your question as a DJ or as a scene organizer? I don't think it's the DJ's place to teach anything about music structure. We should choose good music to help dancers "develop an intuitive understanding". The challenge to what you're asking is that it's a foundation of...

With vocals, Alex Pangman's " Melancholy Lullaby " I'll second West End Blues. Bessie Smith "Them's Graveyward Words" Chris Barber "Basin Street Blues", probably a few other versions of the same. For a really haunting clarinet, check out Monty Sunshine "Hushabye&qu...