MUSIC
GORDON WEBSTER
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
One of the most active and versatile musicians on the scene, Webster maintains ongoing collaborative relationships with a diverse array of jazz/blues and lindy hop luminaries, and is an associate member of one of the most popular traditional jazz bands on the U.S. lindy hop scene, the Cangelosi Cards.
For more information visit www.gordonwebsterswings.com.
Solomon Douglas Swingtet
Solomon Douglas (Seattle, WA) is a beloved dance teacher, musician and bandleader, known and respected throughout the worldwide swing dancing community. From September to December of 2006, he toured the United States and Japan as a member of the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. He now spends most of his time on the road, working as a freelance musician and dance instructor.
His Swingtet (an 8 or 10 piece orchestra) specializes in the great instrumental big-band music of the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. The three existing CDs by the band, Swingmatism (2006), Live at the Legion (2009), and Ain't No School Like the Old School (2010) demonstrate its wide-ranging versatility: the band plays old-school swing, New Orleans hot jazz, blues, swinging bebop, and the swinging big-band music of the 1950s Count Basie orchestra.
Solomon's bands have played at countless exchanges, camps, workshops, and other events in North America, Asia, and Australia since 2000. His experience as a swing dancer and dance instructor gives him an understanding unique among musicians of the music that swing dancers and blues dancers like to dance to!
For more information visit www.solomondouglas.com.
The Careless Lovers
The Careless Lovers are assembled from a group of swing dancer musicians, inspired by the streets and clubs of New Orleans, New York City, and anywhere that hot jazz combos have been laying down swinging rhythms, past and present. The desire of the band is to play a mix of traditional jazz, blues, and swing era tunes and stylings with an attitude that's acoustic, fresh, and dirty. With an infectiously danceable rhythm, The Careless Lovers are bringing the spirit and joy of jazz culture to the streets of Seattle.
The Careless Lovers are a party-to-go made up of energetic young musicians, playing trombone. Guitarist Michael Faltesek is the voice of the Lovers, leading the band in old-timey melodies and group call and response.
Click here for more information and check out this great video of The Lovers: