SwingDJs

So I don't know how many of you can relate to this, but here in Denver, we've run a very popular Tuesday groove night (225 people/night average) for many years... Thats well and good, and I enjoy spinning for them and I enjoy the social atmosphere.

But as more and more people here are travelling, they are becoming more interested in old school / pre-war / energetic stuff etc. (yay!) So we made our Thursday a vintage night. Lots of newbie friendly music as well as lots of tradiational swing, dixieland, copious amounts of Basie, Ellington, etc.

Its a great night, but a lot of the groove dancers have a hard time making the jump. I wanted to suggest but also solicit a few suggestions for "post groove" music. Stuff that groove dancers can enjoy as they perhaps learn some new vocab and get a feel for older stuff, but also keeps the vintage vibe going.

Here are a few of my suggestions

Sunny Side of the Street, Lionel Hampton (The Lionel Hampton Story)
Charlie Barnett, Afternoon of Moax
Charlie Christian, Rose Room (Charlie Christian Story)
Charlie Christian, Six Appeal (Charlie Christian Story)
Benny Goodman, Christopher Columbus (Birth of the Swing)
Django Reinhardt, I can't give you anything but love (most versions)
I'm crazy bout my baby, Loius Armstrong (Satch plays Fats)
Vipers Dream, Django Reinhardt (Django in Rome)
Midnight in Moscow, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen (It's Trad, Dad)
Pent up in a Penthouse, Fats Waller (a Handful of Keys)
Sweet Lorainne, Metronome All-Stars (Summit Meetings)
Duke Ellington, Perdidio (Anthology)
Sidney Bechet, Joshua at the Battle of Jericho (The Blue Note Years)

Any other stuff that has that groove "burn" but also embodies the qualities of classic swing?

St Louis Blues - Benny Goodman

Jivin With Jarvis' - Lionel Hampton

I think that there are many Benny Goodman songs that would would do it:

"Bedlam" - (all from the JSP set)
"Crazy Rhythm"
"He Ain't Got Rhythm"
"I'm Living in a Great, Big Way"
"Scarecrow."


Also:

"The Rocks" - Mary Lou Williams, Story 1930-1941
"Harlem Air Shaft" - Ellington, Essential Masters of Jazz: Duke Ellington (Proper)
"Jamin' the Blues" - Duke Heitger, Rhythm Is Our Business
"Lopin'" - Basie, RCA-Victor set
"San Jose" - Basie, Proper set
"Japanese Sandman" - Earl Hines, from 1934-1937
"Two O'Clock Jump" - Harry James (no recommendation, as I got it from a cheap comp.)
"How Big Can You Get, Little Man?" - Lucky Millinder, Apollo Jump
"Swingin' the Blues" - Basie, Decca set.

dude, im not sure if your song selections would 'encourage' groove dancers to dance. off the top of my head, I know that "Scarecrow" is N O T a 'groove' friendly song. far from it.

Kyle wrote:dude, im not sure if your song selections would 'encourage' groove dancers to dance. off the top of my head, I know that "Scarecrow" is N O T a 'groove' friendly song. far from it.

Going straight from groove to "Scarecrow" would not encourage them, I agree. I was thinking more long-term - that some of those would be songs to work up to, after people had gotten somewhat more comfortable with the basics.