A Challenge...

Everything about the swinging music we love to DJ

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BigCash
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A Challenge...

#1 Post by BigCash » Fri Dec 19, 2003 2:14 am

Ok, so I realize this isn't fair.

Yes I live in New Orleans.
Yes, there are 100's of bands I get to the pleasure of listening and dancing to every night of the week.

But...

I'll tell ya, I really enjoy finding local artists and sharing them with the dance community. I'd like to see some other's really take an interest in their local musicians and spread them around. It did my heart good to hear Kermit Ruffins' 'Wake up Neesie" and George French's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" up in the woods of New Hampshire at 4am, (thanks Jessie). And they both got a huge kick out of me telling the story once I got back.

Not only does it help their pocketbooks, I think it helps raise awareness and appreciation of NEW music. Just look at Barabara Morrison's latest run for one example.

So here's the challenge. I'd like to see a list of at least 5 local band's CDs (THAT ARE STILL ALIVE AND PLAYING), that you'd reccomend.

Here's mine:

Bob French: 'Three Generations'
Kermit Ruffins: 'Big Easy' or '1533 St. Philip Street'
Kimberley Longstreth: 'Chic Singer'
The New Orleans Jazz Vipers: 'Live at the Spotted Cat'
John Boutte: 'At the Foot of Canal Street' or 'Jambalaya'

All are available online at www.louisianamusicfactory.com (RealAudio music samples are there as well)

Next...?
Actively asserting my will upon others since 1970!

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funkyfreak
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#2 Post by funkyfreak » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:27 am

Two most well known bands to the scene:

Boilermaker Jazz Band - Panama
(hear clips) (see website) (buy CDs) although their newer releases aren't online for sale

Roger Humphries Big Band - Don't Give Up
(hear clips) (see website) (buy CDs)

Little Known bands:

Dixie Doc and the Pittsburgh Dixieland All-stars - Don't Give Up (hear clip / see website)

Ernie Hawkins - Blues Advice (hear clips) (see website) (buy CDs & limited Vinyl)

And one eclectic selection for the hell of it:

No Bad Ju Ju - Live!
(hear clips) (see website) (buy CDs)

-FF

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gatorgal
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#3 Post by gatorgal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:10 am

Actively pouting in the confines of South Florida....

I only have two folks I can contribute to this thread...

1. Abbe Samuels: Thrill Me Again or Lindy Friendly (both recorded at the first to SoFlex's...). I like "Thrill Me Again" a bit more. You can contact her at abbes12@aol.com for info.

2. Karen Capo: her current CD, Midnight Siren does not do her justice. She is amazing live. She told me earlier this week that she's working on a new CD that's got something more for dancers. She asked me for suggestions for a track list, so I feel a bit honored. If you want more info on her, email her at jazsiren@juno.com.

Keith, I will take the lead of your challenge to look for more artists in my area instead of bitching that there aren't any here.

Tina 8)

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Serg
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#4 Post by Serg » Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:33 am

I can add one big hitter to Tina's list:

Kevin Mahogany, recently moved to South Florida! Ha!!!

also

The Tom Willis Quarter. Great stuff but does not have a CD.

Serg

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Greg Avakian
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#5 Post by Greg Avakian » Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:58 am

Philly Stinks.

We have lots of great musicians like drummer Micky Rooker, saxman Bootsie Barnes, Alto sax Tony Williams, Organist Joey D. (who doesn't really live in Philly anymore), Pianist Don Gibson -but none of them play for dances. The only organization that hires bands picks the lamest crap. Laurie and I often go out toclubs and hotels to hear good jazz. Fortunately NYC is not far away and I await Shorty Dave's answer to this question...

We do have City Rhythm Orchestra, but they often ruin a show by playing zoot suit riot.

I envy you all.

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gatorgal
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#6 Post by gatorgal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:06 am

Unlike Serg, I can't honestly count Kevin Mahogany since the man just moved here. :)

I should also clarify my earlier post. There are plenty of musicians in South Florida, they just don't play for dancers. Like Greg, I envy others with access to musicians that will play for dancers.

Tina 8)

Roy
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#7 Post by Roy » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:37 am

Chicago:

Jazz or Jazz/blues:
Franz Jackson: The Fabulous (live)
Yoko Noge: Yoko meets John, Struttin with Yoko
Sam Burkhardt: The Chicago Swing
Chicago Metropolotin Jazz orchestra: Labor of Love
Burgess Gardner Orchstra: no cd's released
Thomas Gunther Trio: Working on a CD now
John Burnett Orchestra: Swingin in the wind city

Burgess Gardner's big band in my opinion is one of the best big bands anywhere. they are far too expensive for dance gigs and usually play at the Hambree house which is close to the southern tip of chicago(119th st) far away from the reach of most Chicago dancers. Barbara Morrison when in town always wants them to play with them.

blues:
Take your pick, the best still alive:

Buddy Guy
Koko Taylor
Son Seals
Billy Branch
Lurrie Bell
Eddy Clearwater
Pinetop Perkins



My favaorite blues player is Billy Branch, a very entertaining harmonica player and vocalist
Last edited by Roy on Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.

mousethief
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#8 Post by mousethief » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:42 am

I weep for Dallas...

James Gilyard
The late, great Big Al Dupree (not really good for dancing though)

Kalman

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gatorgal
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#9 Post by gatorgal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:08 am

Roy wrote:Chicago:

Yoko Noge: Yoko meets John, Struttin with Yoko
I've had the fortune to see and talk to her twice in South Florida. Very talented and a very fun lady.

Tina 8)

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AlekseyKosygin
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Location: Jersey, Home of the Lion, the Lamb and the Brute...

#10 Post by AlekseyKosygin » Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:37 am

Greg Avakian wrote:Philly Stinks.

We have lots of great musicians like drummer Micky Rooker, saxman Bootsie Barnes, Alto sax Tony Williams, Organist Joey D. (who doesn't really live in Philly anymore), Pianist Don Gibson -but none of them play for dances. The only organization that hires bands picks the lamest crap. Laurie and I often go out toclubs and hotels to hear good jazz. Fortunately NYC is not far away and I await Shorty Dave's answer to this question...

We do have City Rhythm Orchestra, but they often ruin a show by playing zoot suit riot.

I envy you all.
yea Greg Philly I have yet to hear a good live swing act from Philly...Luckily Harlem Renaissance Orchestra is only an hour and a half from me...They are probably THE best big band I've seen in my life...

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wheresmygravy
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#11 Post by wheresmygravy » Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:52 am

mousethief wrote:I weep for Dallas...

James Gilyard
The late, great Big Al Dupree (not really good for dancing though)

Kalman
Forgive my fellow Dallasite for allowing you to think of Dallas a wasteland for danceable music.

Here are some to be considered:

Sandra Kaye and The James Gilyard Ensemble
- What will I tell my heart
Arlington Jones - The Author and The Source
(mostly non-danceable except track "Sounds Like True Religion")
Eric Scortia - Vital Organ
(Hammond B-3 Baby!)
Anson Funderburg and The Rocket w/ Sam Myers
- Change in My Pocket
(Guitar / Harmonica Blues)
Robin Bank$ - Honestly
(Vocal / Guitar Blues; Fave Track - Don't You Love Me Like That)

R.I.P. Big Al.

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Mr Awesomer
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#12 Post by Mr Awesomer » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:05 pm

Mora’s Modern Rhythmists: “My Favorite Band,” “Mr. Rhythmist Goes to Town ,” “Call of the Freaks,” “Goblin Market”
The Eddie Reed Big Band: “Hollywood Jump”
The Eddie Reed Quintet: “While the Music Plays On”
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five: “Jammin’ The Blues”
Josh Colazo and His Feetwarmers: “The Secret Records of Kid Colazo” (okay, so this isn't actually a CD out in the public.)
The Dream Team: “Live At The Lindy Binge” (available soon.)
Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra: “Swing Fever,” “Calling All Jitterbugs,” “Swingin' the Century,” “Live at the Hollywood Palladium”

Bands that need to record:
Wendy Rea and Her Famous Players
Rhythm Rascals
Bonebreak Syncopators
The Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra

Bands w/recordings I’ve yet to hear:
Barbara Morrison: I’m not sure what albums feature her Los Angeles crew.
Brother Red: “Kickin’ It,” “The Organizer”
Red and the Red Hots: “Getting’ Around”

Bands w/recording I DON’T recommend:
Royal Crown Revue: “Kings of Gangster Bop,” “Mugzy's Move,” “Caught in the Act,” “The Contender,” “Walk on Fire”
There is also a band here called Pete Jacobs Wartime Radio Review that has a couple CDs, but they are such a horrid group.

This is all off the top of my head though, I know I'm missing a bunch of stuff.
Reuben Brown
Southern California

mousethief
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#13 Post by mousethief » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:35 pm

What about THe New Morty Show?

Kalman

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lindyholic
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#14 Post by lindyholic » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:36 pm

There's a group here in Victoria called The Flying Saucers. Unfortunately, they don't have a CD, but they are awesome and they really swing. There are lots of other groups too that are great, they mostly play hot jazz, and I love it, but I forget a lot of their names because they seldom play except for big events.

Harrison
www.lindyhopper.ca, Canada's Swing Site.

coreyj5
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#15 Post by coreyj5 » Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:11 pm

We have the 52nd street revival and I know they have a cd, but I don't know if they have a website.

So are they going to have the Dream Team cd by the next Lindy Binge? :)

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