Jazz Dance On The Road

I’m not Kerouac nor do I plan to play him on TV but for the next few months I’ll be on the road (sans Benzedrine).

I had mentioned I was looking for changes and they came whether I really wanted them or not.  It turned out to be a tumultuous month or so and I’m only now getting back on track with my blogging.

I have left New York City for now.  I came home for Thanksgiving (home is Maine – where the parents are).  I had hoped to make a detour to Seattle for a week but that has fallen through.  In any case I’ll be heading to Atlanta very soon, a prior layover in Boston is contemplated, to attend Swing & Soul (one of my favorite events from last year).

In Atlanta I will be working with Jo on our dance partnership and our routine.  We will be teaching at Sparx in Cleveland, Ohio come April and will perform a routine at Lindy Focus which is just after Christmas.  Living in entirely different sections of the country makes working together a rare opportunity and spending a significant chunk of time on that will be refreshing.

I hope to meet up with Terrence and work on my tap, explore Atlanta and teach a class or two locally for Down South Swing.

I’ll be looking for further travel opportunities come ’09.

If you are interested in privates, classes, having me visit your city, or just hanging out – contact me.

Tin Pan Blues Band – New Album “Hound’s Tooth”

Tin Pan Blues Band, one of my favorite old time jazz bands in NYC, is releasing a new album which claims to showcase their true street jazz self.  Hound’s Tooth.

"Galgo Azul" by Juan Perdiguero

I’ve busked a bit with Tin Pan in Central Park and it was an amazing experience.  When I worked in midtown I would take the bus up the twenty blocks and get off just to catch them for four or five songs during my lunch break.  These guys are exceptional musicians.  Jesse is their lead man on trumpet and vocals, Clifton on guitar, Rob on upright bass, and Stefan on reeds.  They can wail out heart-breaking tunes at a crawl or make it so hot and fast that you can’t help but dance.

I’ve got two of Tin Pan’s now old albums Alice McNulty and Early Jazz and Americana.  Of the two Early Jazz and Americana is my favorite but neither sounds like their street performances and that’s what Hound’s Tooth is promising.  I can’t wait to get my hands on it and I’ll shout out a review once I do.

In the meantime you can appease your ears over in the listening section.

Avalon – NYC Traditional Jazz Blog

My friend Eve Polich has just started a blog about the New York City traditional jazz scene with weekly event listings, venue reviews and more.

It’ll be very interesting to follow if you live in the NYC area or are visiting the city and want to see some of the best bands and hole-in-the-wall venues that no one really knows about.

Check it out at http://avalonjazz.blogspot.com/

Lindybloggers.com

Lindybloggers.com is live!

Camp Jitterbug Video Round-Up

Here’s the final video round-up of this years Camp Jitterbug out in Seattle.  Thank to Sean and Tonya for putting on such a great event and providing us with these high quality videos of the competitions.

Jump Session Show 2008 Trailer – As I mentioned in my post for Camp Jitterbug; the Jump Session Show is one of the few shows entirely dedicated to traditional jazz dances.  Here is this years composite trailer.

Jack and Jill Finals – I had the opportunity to participate in this years Jack & Jill and it was a really great competition.  High energy with a very responsive crowd.  Here is the video, although I would have liked to have it filmed from the front.

Solo Charleston Finals – I couldn’t wait for this video to come out and I’m thrilled that it is out.  I had such a great time with all of the other dancers in this competition, especially in the dance off between myself and Sharon.  Check it out.

And if you missed the Lindy Hop Couples Final video, check it out in this post.

What’d you think of the videos from this years Camp Jitterbug?  Leave a comment and let me know.