Thursday, May 31, 2007

Olle Thunströms kvartett feat. Karl Olandersson

Upcoming concert

Karl Olandersson, trumpet player. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Tomorrow, Friday, Olle Thunströms kvartett will play at After Work Jazz at Hotel Uppsala (located at Kungsgatan/ St. Olofsgatan).

The band consists of Olle Thunström (tenor saxophone) Daniel Lantz (piano), Kenji Rabson (bass) and Daniel Olsson (drums). This evening they will also feature Karl Olandersson (trumpet). The band starts at 17.30.

There is no entrance fee and you can buy food and drinks while you listen to the band.

The photo of Karl Olandersson is taken by me at the his concert at Katalin earlier this spring and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to licence the photo.

Have you been to After Work Jazz before? What do you think? Tell me.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra: Graduation concert

A couple of days ago I mentioned the Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra (UUJO) when they played at Botan Brass & Fireworks. Actually it's not one orchestra but two, one consists of the students that take the course in big band music and the other is made up of more experienced jazz musicians.

Tonight, the student version of the orchestra gives their graduation concert at Musicum ( Kyrkogårdsgatan 4) at 19.00. There is no entrance fee.


Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra at Botan Brass & fireworks. Ulf Johansson Werre conducts. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

The photo shows Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra at Botan Brass & Fireworks. Far right you can see Ulf Johansson Werre who leads the orchestra.

The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to licence it.

Have you heard the Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra? What do you think? Tell me.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Last Dekadans for the season

Tonight it's the last Dekadans for this season. Swing dj Trina will spin swing tunes for your dancing and listening pleasure.

I want to thank Frida, Emelie and Rebecka for coming up with the idea to have a weekly dance at Västgöta nation and the stamina to pull it together every week.

It's been wonderful to have the opportunity to dance to so many djs that bring their own style of swing music. It's a treat to have such variety of music.

The following picture shows swing dj Fatima Teffahi from last week. The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. contact me if you want to licence it.

Swing dj Fatima Teffahi. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.
I'm looking forward to next season. Thanks again for all your work.

Take at look at all blog posts about Dekadans.

What do you think of Dekadans? Tell me.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Botan Brass & Fireworks: Ulf Johansson Werre

Botan Brass & fireworks. Ulf Johansson Werre conducts. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

The previous week has been full of activity since the whole city has been celebrating the 300th anniversary since Carl von Linne (aka Carolus Linnaeus) was born.

The festivities ended yesterday in the Botanical garden in Uppsala where several orchestras played music, both swing and other sorts of music.

One of the jazz orchestras that played was Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra, which is led by the great jazz musician Ulf Johansson Werre. Uppsala University actually has a course for those who want to study big band music history as well as learn to play in a jazz orchestra. The orchestra played Count Basie classics as Shorty George and Splanky.

The grand final of the night was a performance of "Botan Brass & Fireworks" composed by Ulf Johansson Werre. 80 or more musicians played the piece that was synchronized with a firework. The firework matched the music and was truly spectacular. The music gave associations to Star Wars and "2001: A Space Odyssey". Wow. I hope they do this more often.

Take a look at a video clip of the performance of Botan Brass & Fireworks.

The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Were you at Botan Brass & Fireworks? What did you think of it? Tell me.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Louis Armstrong - Swingin' on Nothing

Swingin' on Nothing is one of my favorite swing songs. This video clip show Louis Armstrong and his orchestra playing Swingin' on Nothing together with singers George Washington and Velma Middleton.



In the clip George and Velma dances together and it looks like some kind of jig trot. Velma Middleton also dances by herself (in her own style).

What do you think of Louis Armstrong and his orchestra playing Swingin' on Nothing? Tell me.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Frankie Mannings Birthday: Buy his book TODAY!

Today is Frankie Manning's 93rd birthday. Frankie is one of the most influential swing dancers through history. To celebrate his birthday people all over the world are coming together to give him a great gift: to make his new book "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop" a best seller at Amazon.com by buying his autobiography today, May 26th.

Read more about the campaign and about Frankie Manning.

Buy your copy of "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop"!

Buy the book TODAY: Frankie Manning: Ambassador of lindy hop

Congratulations Frankie!

Did you buy a copy of the book today? Tell me.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Harlem Hot Shots won the semi final in Talang 2007 on TV4

Harlem Hot Shots won the jury's vote in semi final in the talent show Talang 2007 on TV4 last friday. Here is a video clip from the semi final with Harlem Hot Shots number, done to the song Bill's Bounce by Bill Elliott.



This Friday, there will be the last semi final, where the last contestants in the final will choosen. Be sure to tune in next Friday to vote for Harlem Hot Shots. I've heard from my sources that they will add some extra flavor.

Also, check out their lindy hop number in the preliminary round.

What do you think of Harlem Hot Shots number in the semi final in Talang 2007 on TV4? Tell me.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Frankie Manning's stories

I've heard several stories that lindy hop legend Frankie Manning have told when he have visit Herräng Dance Camp. He has visited Herräng so many times, so put together it's probably a year of his life that he has spent there.

In this video clip Frankie Manning tells the stories about his best dancing nights. One is when there were a Battle Of the Bands between Chick Webb och Count Basie at the Savoy ballroom and the other one is when he did the first aerial (air step) in the history of lindy hop.




If you like to read more of Frankie Manning's stories, you should buy his new autobiography "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop".

There is a campaign to make Frankie's book a best seller at Amazon.com. Buy your copy of the book on May 26th.

Do you know more about this video clip? What do you think of this video clip with Frankie Manning's stories? Tell me.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Frankie Manning: "Dancing keeps you young"

Dancing keeps you young, says lindy hop legend Frankie Manning in this video clip from when he was 81 years young. Just look at him dancing, that's what I want to do as well when I'm 81. Now, more than ten years later Frankie is still going strong, so follow Frankie's advice:


"Anybody out there who is not dancing should start."



On Saturday May 26th Frankie celebrates his 93rd(!) birthday and a great gift would be to make his new autobiography "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop" a best seller at Amazon.com. Buy your copy of the book on May 26th. Join the campaign.

Wow. 93 years and still young. Dancing and laughing a lot seems to be the way to stay young.

Can anyone tell me who the woman that Frankie is dancing with is?

Does dancing keep you young, just like Frankie Manning says? Tell me.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Fatima Teffahi: Swing dj at Dekadans tonight

Lindy hop taster lesson at Dekadans. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without permission.
Tonight, Fatima Teffahi will be the swing dj at Dekadans. Fatima lives in Stockholm and is a member of the swing dance show troupe The Harlem Hot Shots.

Fatima was the first disc jockey I heard that played the song Sympathique by the band Pink Martini. A great song with french lyrics. In the music video below you can learn some french words in the song lyrics. Learn more about Pink Martini.

Before the dance there will be a taster lesson in lindy hop that starts at 19, after the lesson ends at 20 you can stay and dance until 23.



The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Have you heard Fatima Teffahi dj before? What do you think? Tell me.

Monday, May 21, 2007

George Gee & Jump, Jivin' Wailers - If Dreams Come True

George Gee & Jump, Jivin' Wailers : If Dreams Come True. Cd cover

I just wanted to tell you that one of my favorite bands, George Gee & Jump, Jivin’ Wailers has released a new cd called "If Dreams Come True". You can listen to the songs at cdbaby.com or at George Gee's page at MySpace. I'll probably write more about this cd later, for now, just check it out.

What do you think of George Gee & Jump, Jivin’ Wailers and the new album "If dreams come true"? Tell me.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Lindy hops the Atlantic

Exactly 80 years ago today at May 20th in 1927 Charles Lindbergh started his historic solo flight across the Atlantic ocean from New York to Paris which took 33.5 hours. When he landed some newspaper exclaimed "Lindy hops the Atlantic".

A while after (according to the stories I've heard) there was a reporter visiting a ballroom in New York, and he asked the dancer "Shorty" George Snowden what he was doing. "I'm doing the Lindy hop" Snowden answered. Thus the name of the dance was born.

You can see a replica of Charles Lindberghs plane "Sprit of St. Louis" in Balboa park in San Diego.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Grand Swing Party tonight

Grand entrance. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson.

Don't miss Grand Swing Party tonight!

Four swing djs: Emelie, Trina, Patrik and Henrik (Thats me!) will entertain you with the best swing music. Dance lindy hop, balboa, foxtrot or whatever the music tells you to do.

I got some new great music that I'm exited to play for you.

Entrance fee 50 kr (30 kr if you're dressed in white tie attire for the spring ball).
Grand is located at Trädgårdsgatan 5, Uppsala. Time: 20-01.

Welcome!

If you got any requests what you'd like me to play, tell me.

The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want licence the photo.

Friday, May 18, 2007

TV4 Talang: Harlem Hot Shots dances Lindy Hop

Tonight it's the semi final in TV4's talent show Talang 2007. One of the contestants are the famous swing dance show group The Harlem Hot Shots.

Watch their performance in the preliminary round in the competition where The Harlem Hot Shots performed a dance number to Bugle Call Rag. You can see Hanna Zetterman, Mattias Lundmark, Åsa Palm, Daniel Heedman, Sakarias Larsson and of course Frida Segerdahl.



Vote for them so that they go on to the final, so we get more exposure of lindy hop in Sweden. Hopefully they'll win the first prize of one million kronor. Watch them tonight in Talang 2007 at TV4 20:00.

[Update: They won the jury's vote and will be going the the final in two weeks! Be sure to vote for them then.]

If you were inspired by them to learn lindy hop, you can take classes by The Harlem Hot Shots at their own dance studio in Stockholm: Chicago. If you live in Uppsala, get in touch with Swingkatten.

What do you think of The Harlem Hot Shots performance in the video clip? Do you know what version of Bugle Call Rag they are using? Tell me.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Interview: Cynthia Millman: co-author of "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop"

Book, autobiography: Frankie Manning: Ambassador of lindy hop

The autobiography by Frankie Manning: Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop has just been released. Cynthia Millman is co-author of the book and I was curious about her so I did an interview with her to find out more about her and the process behind writing the biography.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? What do you do for a living? When did you start dancing?

I loved dancing as a kid, but didn’t start training until age 12, after seeing a ballet demonstration. Since then I’ve explored many, many forms of classical, modern, and ethnic dance, but once I discovered swing dancing in the mid 1980s, that was it. I have a master’s degree in dance and dance education, and taught dance (mostly to children) and performed (on and off) for 25 years. Somewhere in there, I made a career shift. I earned a master’s in library science, and have been a children’s librarian for the last fifteen years, currently at The Town School in Manhattan.

When did you first meet Frankie?

I first met Frankie at a dance in 1986, which I describe in the book’s introduction. I didn’t really get to know him until I began performing with the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers in 1990. It was while hearing his stories at dinner after rehearsals that I first realized what an interesting life he had lived, and how gifted he was at describing his experiences.

How would you describe Frankie Manning to someone who doesn’t know him?

Frankie Manning was one of the main creators of the lindy hop at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom during the 1930s. His choregraphic innovations, especially the air step and synchronized ensemble routines, helped catapult the lindy from ballroom to stage and screen. Frankie’s choreography for and performances as a lead dancer with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers helped popularize the lindy and disseminate it across America and around the world. With the demise of the Swing Era, Frankie took a “temporary” job in the Post Office . . . and ended up working there for 30 years! His rediscovery by a new generation of swing dancers and his professional comeback were a driving force in the swing dance revival that began in the 1980s and is still going strong. Today, at 93, Frankie has a packed teaching schedule and travels constantly to share with others the joy that swing dancing has brought him. An inspiration to us all, Frankie is as beloved for his marvelous personality as he is for his vital role in American dance history.

Frankie is one of my favorite people in the world, and collaborating on his autobiography was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

How come you started to write the book about Frankie Manning?

In 1987, I interviewed Frankie Manning for an article about the swing dance revival for a small local newspaper in Manhattan. I subsequently interviewed him for a master’s thesis project, an extensive exhibit on the history of swing dancing (which showed at swing dance events in New York City, Herrang, London, and Toronto), and for articles in Dance Magazine and The International Encyclopedia of Dance. In 1993, Frankie and I began doing educational presentations on lindy history that included lecture, interview, demonstration, and video clips. Around this time, I realized that I was completely enchanted by the history of swing dancing and asked Frankie if we could do a book together. Happily, he said yes.

Frankie Manning dancing with Cynthia Millman at CAN'T TOP THE LINDY HOP! during a birthday dance on the occasion of his 80th birthday party in New York City, 1994. Photographer: Timothy Swiecicki.
Frankie Manning dancing with Cynthia Millman at CAN'T TOP THE LINDY HOP! during a birthday dance on the occasion of his 80th birthday party in New York City, 1994. Photographer: Timothy Swiecicki.

What is your favorite story from the book?

I love all of Frankie’s stories, but the one that stands out for me is when he danced with Betty Grable at a USO show in New Guinea during World War II. In addition to being a fun story, I feel that it illustrates so much of what Frankie is all about: his ability to make the best of a bad situation with incredible pluck and humor; his use of dance to connect to individuals and audiences; his love of entertaining people and lifting their spirits with his dancing; his professionalism as an entertainer; his respect for musicians; his personal charm; and his ability to disable racial prejudice at a time when it was so deeply entrenched in and so openly a part of American culture.

I also find his story about Sergeant Montgomery very moving. It’s one of the first stories I ever heard Frankie tell, and I’ll never forget hearing it that first time.

Now that the book is done, do you have any other subjects that you would like to write about?

As a children’s librarian, I have quite a few ideas for children’s books. I’m also interested in doing some articles on holistic health practices and meditation. And I’m considering some other research projects in the swing dance area.

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

Just that I hope everyone enjoys reading about Frankie Manning's life. Part of why we were able to get a publisher was because we could demonstrate to Temple University Press that there was an extensive international audience for Frankie’s story. Thinking about sharing the book with all of you helped keep us going during the lengthy process of getting that rich, long life into the pages of a book.


Thank you, Cynthia Millman, for taking time to answer the questions!
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about the book.

Update: Read my book review here.

Order Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop at Amazon.com. Maybe join the campaign to make the book a best seller?

What do you think of this interview? Got other questions for Cynthia Millman? Tell me.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Swe-Dukes: Concert photos

Anders Gahnold (baryton saxophone). Swe-Dukes at Grönvallsalen. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

The jazz band Swe-Dukes played yesterday at Grönwallsalen in Uppsala. Swedukes concentrate on music by Duke Ellington. Grönvallsalen is an auditorium located at the university hospital and these kind of concerts is intended for patients, relatives, staff and jazz lovers in general.

Ulf Johansson Werre (trombone), Bosse Broberg (trumpet). Swe-Dukes at Grönvallsalen. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Swedukes consists of Bosse Broberg (trumpet), Ulf Johansson Werre (trombone), Ulf Lindsjö (saxophone), Anders Gahnold, (barytonsaxophone), Daniel Lantz (piano), Curt Andersson (bass), Gus Dahlberg (drums) and Karin Hallin (song).

Daniel Lantz (piano). Swe-Dukes at Grönvallsalen. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

The band played C Jam Blues (which is called Dukes Place when someone sing the lyrics), Echoes From Harlem, Don't Get Around Much Anymore. As a dancer I of course appreciated their version of Stompy Jones. Since the auditorium is made for lectures and education there is no place to dance but later on I found some members from Swingkatten swinging out just outside the open doors to the auditorium. It would be great to hear and dance to Swe-Dukes at a better location (with regard to acoustics and light).

Ulf Johansson Werre and Bosse Broberg were great (as always) and I really liked the sound of the rhythm section (particularly Curt Andersson on bass).

The photos are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want licence the photos.

Were you at the concert? What did you think of Swe-Dukes? Tell me.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Swing dj Patrik at Dekadans: Photo

Swing dj Patrik at Dekadans. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Since there is no dance at Dekadans tonight, here is a photo from Dekadans last week of swing dj Patrik Öhrström. One song I really liked from his set was Big Shoe from the Duke Ellington/Johnny Hodges album "Side by side".

The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want licence the photo.

Where you at Dekadans last week? What did you think of the music? Tell me.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Koop: Come to me feat. Harlem Hot Shots

When you dj, you are often looking for songs that will create a certain feeling or mood on the dance floor. You try to find songs that match that feeling or will lead you along a path towards that mood.

Today it's Sunday, so I'm trying to come up with a blog post that gives you a relaxed Sunday morning feeling. Here is a song that is softly swinging that may get you up from your bed. Come to me by Koop.



This music video for the song "Come to me" by Koop is directed by Marcus Söderlund and was shot at the Beatelund mansion at Ingarö outside of Stockholm Aug 1-2 2006. The song is from their album "Koop Islands"

In this video you can spot several members of the swing dance show group The Harlem Hot Shots doing lindy hop and charleston.

This seems to be a great place to have a party. Location and decoration is important to me when I throw a party. Good music and great people are the most important things but it has to look great as well. Small details can really make a difference.

What do think of this video clip with Koop performing Come To Me? Were you an extra at the video shoot? What was that like? Tell me.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Watch the Birdie - Hellzapoppin

Usually you will hear the song Watch the Birdie sung by Anita O'day but it first appeared in the movie Hellzapoppin'. Here is a video clip from Hellzapoppin' with Watch the Birdie, the song is sung by Martha Raye.



Before I knew about this clip I always felt like there where something more to the story than what was told in the lyrics, now having seen the clip from Hellzapoppin' (1941), the lyrics make perfect sense.

In this clip there is lindy hop dance sequence where Betty (Martha Raye) dances with Dean Collins. When experienced lindy hoppers think of Hellzapoppin they mostly think of another famous dance sequence from this movie with Frankie Manning, Norma Miller and Al Minns and the rest of the dance troupe Harlem Cangeroos. Therefor I thought it would be nice to show some other swing dancing from that movie.

The Anita O'day version of Watch the Birdie is a great one (Gene Krupas Orchestra is playing), but be careful when you are djing it if you got a lot of beginning dancers on the dance floor because it has some tricky breaks in it.

And while we are talking about birds and photography (well, kind of...), I must show you a cartoon that is played at every Christmas Eve on Swedish television at 3 o'clock. It, together with some other cartoons, has been shown for 30 years, it's a modern tradition.



What do you think of Watch the Birdie (both the Hellzapoppin' and Anita O'day version)? Tell me.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Wingy Manone - Vine Street blues

Often you just hear about the really big names in the jazz world like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald but the are other musicians from that era that also should be discovered. One of those musicians is trumpet player Wingy Manone.

Here is a video clip from a soundie from 1943 where Wingy Manone plays Vine Street blues together with singer Ann Lee.



Wingy Manones moment of jazz fame is that he came up with a great riff in the melody Tar Paper Stomp. While you may not have heard about Tar Paper Stomp, the riff is used as the main riff in "In the Mood" that was made famous by Glenn Miller.

Check out the discussion thread on swingdjs.com about Wingy Manone.

What do you think about this video clip with Wingy Manone playing Vine Street blues? Tell me.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Phontrattarne Grand Show Premiere Tonight

Singer Ivar, Phontrattarne. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.
The big band Phontrattarne is having their premiere of their Grand Show at Reginateatern tonight. The show is played between the 10th and the 17th of May. Some of the shows are sold out so be sure to get some tickets while they are available.

Saxophone solo, Phontrattarne. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Here is some photos of members of Phontrattarne that I took when they played at Uppsala Winter Camp. The photos may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want licence the photos.

Will you go to the Phontrattarne Grand Show? Have you already seen it? What do you think of it? Tell me.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Buy Frankie Mannings biography on May 26th

The living Lindy hop legend Frankie Manning has released his biography: "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop" (co-written with Cynthia Millman). Since Frankie Manning is having his 93rd birthday at May 26th, there is a campaign to give him a great birthday gift, making his book a bestseller at Amazon.com.

The plan is to have as many people as possible to order Frankie Mannings biography at Amazon May 26th, so it will be on the charts and hopefully thereby get many more peoples attention.

Manu Smith has put together a promotion video about the Frankie Manning bestseller campaign.


You can read more about it at the Frankie Mannings website or at the Yehoodi discussion boards.

Will you participate in this campaign and order "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy hop" on May 26? Tell me.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Swing DJ Patrik at Dekadans

Wall painting at Västgöta nation in Uppsala. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Tonight a new swing dj, Patrik, will dj at Dekadans. I don't know anything about him except that he is from Stockholm. It will be interesting to hear what kind of swing music he will play. It's always fun to get a new perspective on swing music, to hear what other dj's choose to present to the dancers. Hopefully there will be some new great swing songs that I haven't heard before.

When you're not dancing at Dekadans, take a moment to admire the great wall paintings in the room. The paintings are done on large canvases that fastened directly on the wall (no frames). They picture all the towns in the province of Västergötland. The picture above shows the town Lidköping. The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Is there any kind of swing music that you would like to hear at Dekadans that haven't been played there so far? Tell me.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Hey Mr Jesse: Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five

It's so pleasant to know that in the beginning of each month I know exactly what I'll be blogging about and that is of course the fabulous podcast Hey Mr Jesse. Here is what I wrote about this show earlier.

The thing that makes this podcast great is that Jesse Miner och Manu Smith each episode invites a swing jazz musician and interviews them. This time they interview Jonathan Stout, the band leader of Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five. This might be the best interview so far. If you haven't listened to the podcast before, now is the time to do it.

Besides being a musician, Jonathan Stout is also a swing dancer and he talks about what makes swing music danceable. He gives music examples of different ways to play swing music and how that affects the dancing. One thing he mention is "dancing to the music", which means that if you listen to the music and are interpreting it, the music gives you huge clues about what moves to do.

One of my favorite expressions is: "The music made me do it". That happens when you have this great dance with a great dance partner and you feel absolutely compelled to do a certain movement because it totally fits to the music. Nothing else would have made sense. Both you and partner smile and say: "Yeah, we nailed that one". That's a total connection between you, your partner and the music. It's like the music is standing beside you with a big sledge hammer and say (in the most friendly but firm voice). "Make that move, or else...".

I think the interview is educational both for dancers and musicians.

Jesse Miner mentions a lot of other stuff also, like the upcoming Frankie Manning biography: "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop" and the new documentary Anita O'day: The Life of a Jazz Singer.

Check out everything in the show notes for episode number 17 of Hey Mr Jesse.

Download the May episode of Hey Mr Jesse. (50 MB, mp3)

What do you think of the Hey Mr Jesse podcast? Tell me.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Count Basie Orchestra - Corner Pocket

Every now and then people come up to me and ask:


"Hey, what's the name of this song, I've heard it a million times, but I can't remember the name."

I think there are some songs that you should make an effort to learn their names just because they are classic swing songs.

One of those classic swing songs is Corner Pocket. Here is a video clip with the Count Basie Orchestra performing Corner Pocket.

They have a great full big band sound. Great solos! I really like Sonny Payne on drums.

If you want a Count Basie cd that has Corner Pocket I recommend "April in Paris", a reissue that actually has two versions of the song.

A classic album that also have great versions of "Magic". Good stuff! If you are collecting Count Basie you should get this cd.

What do you think of Corner Pocket by Count Basie? Tell me.


Saturday, May 5, 2007

Olle Thunström kvartett: Concert Photos

Olle Thunström (tenor saxophone) at After Work Jazz. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me about licencing.
Yesterday there was After Work Jazz at Hotel Uppsala (located at Kungsgatan). Olle Thunström kvartett was playing. The band consists of Olle Thunström (tenor saxophone) Daniel Lantz (piano), Niklas Fernqvist (bass) and Ali Djeridi (drums). This evening they also featured Karl-Martin Almqvist (tenor saxophone).

Karl-Martin Almqvist (tenor saxophone) at After Work Jazz. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me about licencing.
I thought that the best song of the concert was their version of Charlie Parkers "Billie's Bounce".

Ali Djeridi (drums) at After Work Jazz. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me about licencing. The photos is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to licence the photos.

Were you at the concert with the Olle Thunström kvartett? What did you think? Tell me.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Olle Thunströms kvartett: After work jazz

Niklas Fernqvist on bass. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Today it's time again for After Work Jazz at Hotel Uppsala (located at Kungsgatan). This time it's the Olle Thunström kvartett that's playing. The band consists of Olle Thunström (tenor saxophone) Daniel Lantz (piano), Niklas Fernqvist (bass) and Ali Djeridi (drums). This evening they will also feature Karl-Martin Almqvist (tenor saxophone).

The band starts at 17.30. There is no entrance fee and you can buy food and drinks while you listen to the band. They will play bop jazz in a Wayne Shorter style but also some jazz standards (like Autumn leaves) and blues.

The photo of Niklas Fernqvist is taken by me at the Nkiru concert and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to licence the photo.

Have you been to After Work Jazz before? What do you think? Tell me.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Right now the Tribeca Film Festival is going on and one of the movies that has it's premiere there is a documentary about jazz singer Anita Oday called: "Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer".

Take a look at the trailer for the documentary at Anita O'day's official website. If you're at the Tribeca Film Festival you can see the film on Friday and Sunday.

Anita O'day passed away in the end of last year. She will be remembered as a great jazz singer. What I admire about Anita O'day is her marvelous phrasing, one outstanding example of her phrasing can be heard on the following video clip from the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 where Anita O'day sings Sweet Georgia Brown in three different styles .



I especially like the way she presents the line in the lyrics that goes: "I don't lie... much".

The video clip is from the documentary "Jazz on a Summer's Day" from 1960 by Bert Stern.

You can compare her version with the other versions of Sweet Georgia Brown that I've posted.

What do you think of Anita O'day? Tell me.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

How to play swing bingo

Swing bingo. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Two weeks ago we played a game at the club Dekadans called swing bingo.

The idea is of course to get five numbers in a row and the way you get your numbers goes like this: Every dancer draws a paper with a number from a hat. The numbers are from zero to nine. If you don't have a lot of paper, you tell the participants to look at their paper and remember the number and return the paper to the hat.

The dj puts on a song and you dance with someone, after the song is over you ask the other person what what number they have and you mark all the squares on your paper where the last digit is the same as your partners.

Then you change partner and dance another song and hope that this person has a different number. Repeat until someone shouts BINGO!

This is a great way to mix the dancers and encourage them to dance with someone they haven't danced with before.

The photo is taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to licence the photo.

[Below is some links to Dean Martin cds. My association chain went like this: bingo -> game -> Las Vegas -> Rat Pack -> Dean Martin].

What do you think of swing bingo? What other games could you do at dances? Tell me.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Phontrattarne at Norrlands nation: Valborg tradition

Concert by Phontrattarne in front of Norrlands nation at Valborg. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

Yesterday was Valborg in Uppsala, also known as Walpurgis night. At Valborg we celebrate the arrival of the spring and I would estimate that at least 80000 people are out on the streets celebrating.

Uppsala has a lot of traditions this day: breakfast pick nick by the river, raft racing in the river, lunch pick nick in some park, a great ball at the castle and many many more traditions. If you try to do everything I guarantee that you will be exhausted.

One of my favorite traditions that I hardly ever miss is the outdoor concert by Phontrattarne in front of Norrlands nation just after 3 pm. Great energy, good music and dancing in the street. What more could you ask for?

Concert by Phontrattarne in front of Norrlands nation at Valborg. Copyright: Henrik Eriksson. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission.

If you want to see more of Phontrattarne (of course you want), you should see their Grand Show at Reginateatern between 10th and 17th of May.

The photos are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want licence the photos.

Did you see Phontrattarnes concert yesterday? What did you think about it? Tell me.