SwingDJs

Hello Everyone,

this bulletin board was highly recommended by a Chicago DJ, and thank you for letting me be a part of it.

I have recently formed my own new Swing Dance Club here in Milwaukee - BREW CITY HOPS. I am highly dedicated to spreading the love and joy of Lindy Hop, along with Charleston, Shag, Bal, Blues, etc. Our regular regular swing venue plays a lot of Neo-Swing, and Rockabilly, which is why I have decided to break away and pursue real swing music; music thats actually worth dancing to. So, along with the responsibility of managing this new club, I realize that I will have to pursue becoming a DJ, at least here. My degree in music (albeit classical) has certainly helped me progress very quickly since I first set foot on the floor last June, so I'm sure my background will allow me to be a halfway decent DJ as well.

So, I ask any of you willing to share: Please recommend your

5 ESSENTIAL TUNES TO LEARN TO DANCE TO

Thanks,

Adam - brewcityhops@yahoo.com, Mystere88@yahoo.com

Here's a list of some random slower stuff I like for teaching newbie Lindy Hop, I can rattle off a lot more than 5 and I rotate my teaching music frequently so it doesn't get too overplayed.

Flying Home No. 2 - Lionel Hampton
Lean Baby - Billy May
Apollo Jump - Lucky Millinder
Tain't What You Do - Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb's Band
Corner Pocket - Count Basie

If I'm just teaching basic triple swing, I'll lean more toward early Rhythm & Blues music.

I do use a lot of Ella Stuff: Smooth Sailing - Shiny Stocking - Deed I do

Or Like it is From erroll Garner
Blues my naughty sweetie gives to me from sidney Bechet

Moten Swing - Oscar Peterson trio
Exactly like you - Nina Simone

and a lot more

Off the top of my head I would recommend:
Duke Ellington - Tuxedo Junction
Frank Sinatra - They can't take that away from me
Bobby Darin - Beyond the Sea
Downchild Blues Band - Caldonia
B B King - Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

One song that I really enjoy is a live version of
Tin Tin Deo by Soul Bossa Trio

Thanks so far, Everyone.

I know everyone here could rattle off 100 songs, but if I get a mix of answers with their top 5, I actually have a small chance in heaven of acquiring this music. Please keep the posts coming!!

Thanks, Adam

Since there are so many possibilities, these five could almost be random.

"All the Cats Join In" - Benny Goodman
"Sent for You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today)" - Count Basie
"Are You All Reet?" - Cab Calloway (There's a big break toward the beginnning. I think you could use that to teach a lot of stuff.)
"Topsy" - Count Basie (A bit fast, but I think that can be a fun challenge.)
"Krum Elbow Blues" - Duke Ellington

(moderators, should this perhaps move to "swingin' music"?)

five classic swing slow things i like for lessons:

cow cow boogie (ella mae morse & freddie slack, boogie woogie hits, 108)
organ grinder's swing (jimmy lunceford, jimmy lunceford and his orchestra, 120)
splanky (count basie, atomic basie, 121)
spinnin' the web (chick webb, strictly jive, 124)
all right, o.k., you win (basie/williams, count basie swing, joe williams sings, 133)

I would fore warn you that whatever people dance to in class is likely what they will stick too. So, while it's easier for dancers to learn at slower tempos, they will tend to stick to that tempo. So, I would recomend teaching at various tempos to various era's of swing music. Things with easy to hear and simple Rythms

Moving to "Swinging Music".

Jesse Miner
SwingDJs Moderator

Thanks so much everyone! I have my work cut out for me.

I think some of my favorites right now may be:

Fly Me to the Moon - Sinatra/ Basie
The Sandwich Song "That's What I Like?" (24 Bar Blues) - Tori Amos
Ain't Misbehavin' - Louis Armstrong (Hollywood Swing)
Topsy - Manhattan Transfer (Swing)
Black Bottom Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton
Moondance - Van Morrison

Here are some of my MUST pick during my nights:

For me formidable: Chales Aznavour
Cheek to cheek: Fitzgerald & Armstrong
Jump Jive and Wail: Louis Prima
Boogie woogie Bugle boy: Andrew sisters
Diminuendo in Blue: Duke Ellington
Love me or Leave me: Nina Simone

These are only a few but I hope it will help you.

Good Luck

Some of my favorites:

Lindy Hopper's Delight - Chick Webb
The Ball Game - Sister Wynona Carr (on "Baseball's Greatest Hits")
On Revival Day - LaVern(e) Baker
Sugar Foot Stomp - Benny Goodman
A Viper's Moan - Willie Bryant OR Mora's Modern Rhythmists


Good luck with your new swing club!

What Roy said.

A beginner's first instructor has an overwhelming say in shaping their tastes and preferences.

1. One O' Clock Jump, Count Basie
2. Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Duke Ellington
3. Swing That Music, Louis Armstrong
4. Splanky, Count Basie

and, just because I had to dance to it every friggin week for two years,

5. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Louis Jordan

Suffering makes you stronger.