Swing dance photography by Bryant Gover

If you have been following this blog, you know that I like to do jazz photography and that almost every picture on this blog is made by me. I also like to do dance photography (mostly swing dances like lindy hop and balboa) but so far I haven't shown you much of it. Maybe that'll change later on, anyway, now on to the subject that I wanted to talk about.

Last summer at Herräng Dance Camp I met another swing dance photographer: Bryant Gover. Bryant Gover has been all over the world at dance camps and other dance events taking photos. He has released a book called "A moment in the swing-out" with swing dance photography and if you are going to the Herräng Dance Camp this summer (it starts today!) you can have a look at (and buy) his book. This edition contains just photos but later editions will include the stories behind and around the pictures.

Bryant Gover has also submitted a guest post to the blog Digital Photography School (maintained by Darren Rowse*) called "Dance Photography - Capturing Movement" where he shares how he works when he takes photographs of dancers.

I think the most important thing when it comes to take great dance pictures is timing. Like any other kind of action photography you have to to anticipate the peak moment and that is much easier if you know both how swing and blues music is structured and if you know how to dance. It's about knowing as much as possible about the subject you are shooting.

(*BTW Darren Rowse also has a blog called Problogger, which is a great resource if you're a blogger like me).

Do you have any favorite swing dance picture? Tell me.

The Treniers - It Rocks! It Rolls! It Swings!

Here is a video clip with The Treniers called "It Rocks! It Rolls! It Swings!". As the title says the song is at the border between swing, jump blues and early rock 'n' roll.

I just love bands that get a little animated and give the audience also a visual experience along with the music. Check out the moves that these crazy cats make. Dancers, here are moves to steal!


The Treniers were an American musical group led by identical twins Cliff and Claude Trenier [Wikipedia]. The group appeared in the film "Don't Knock the Rock". This is definitely music that makes you want to dance too.

What do you think of The Treniers? Tell me.

Summer Jazz & Blues at Parksnäckan

There is going to be a lot of jazz and blues in Parksnäckan in Uppsala this summer. Besides the official program sponsored by the city council, there are going to be concerts arranged by jazz promoter Björn Sjödin.

Tonight the band Good Morning Blues is going to play. The band has been playing together for 40(!) years.

Other upcoming concerts are:

• July 12th - Öhman & Jansson VSOP
• July 26th - Good Evening Everybody by Peter Lind and the Cabaret Band
• August 2nd - Lars Erstrand Four
• August 9th - Solskensorkestern
  

In the official program you should see:

August 22nd: Svante Thuresson with Induss & Lagerberg Great Sweet Orchestra

The photo of Björn Sjödin is taken by me at the Swedish Swing Society concert at Katalin. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license it.

Parksnäckan: Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers

Tomorrow Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers will play at Parksnäckan in Uppsala at 19:30 (50 kr). They are a good rhythm & blues band that has a touch of swing. The band invites you to join them on the stage and dance socially. Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers played at Parksnäckan last summer and it was a success.

This is the last big thing before everyone disappears for their summer vacations and all swing activities moves to the Herräng Dance Camp. Why not come down tomorrow and share your summer plans?

Emma Sannervik (bass), Anders Söderberg (song).

You can read at long article about the band in Uppsalatidningen nr 25 (pdf, 8 MB) at page 24 (in swedish).

BTW, talking about Herräng Dance Camp, I think Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers could be a great live band there in the first weeks when there are a lot of boogie woogie dancers there. I think they would really enjoy the music and the energy.

The photo is taken by me at Sweet Emma & the Mood Swingers concert at Katalin. The photo may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license it.

Have you seen and heard Sweet Emma & the Mood Swingers? What do you think of them? Tell me.

Al Norman has rubber legs in Happy Feet from The King of Jazz

Here is a video clip from the film King of Jazz where "rubber legs" Al Norman dances to Paul Whiteman's band performing the song "Happy Feet".

What an amazing display of cool footwork! He does wacky dance moves with such style and grace. After him comes a long chorus line with girls which you don't see novadays (unless you go to Las Vegas), really nice syncronization.



The King of Jazz was released in 1930 and also features Bing Crosby. Wikipedia has more information about the movie.

If you like this video clip you should also check out Melissa Mason dancing to the song Dinah.

What do you think of this video clip from "King of Jazz"? Tell me.

Summertime: Ray Brown Trio

Today it's Midsummer nights eve, which is a big holiday here in Sweden. What could be better fitting for today than to feature a version of the song Summertime. Summertime was written by George Gershwin for the opera Porgy and Bess in 1935.

In this video clip Summertime is performed by Ray Brown Trio which consists of Jeff Hamilton (drums), Gene Harris (piano) and of course Ray Brown (bass).



Great stuff. Both sweet, dramatic, groovy and swinging. Make sure you catch the bass riff that starts at 3:40 from the end (since YouTube videos counts down). Man, if I were a bass player I would steal that directly.

What do you think of Ray Brown Trio performing Summertime? Tell me.

Wham, Sam! - Louis Jordan

It's time for some more more jump blues. Here is a video clip with a song called "Wham, Sam! (Dig Them Gams)" with Louis Jordan. In the clip one woman does some authentic jazz steps (like boogie down) with great stylings.



Learn more about him at the official Louis Jordan website or at Wikipedia.

What do you think of Louis Jordan singing "Wham, Sam!"? Tell me.

Swing Dancer Magazine: June Edition

The June edition of Swing Dancer Magazine is now online.

It features an article by David Graybill about how to organize and promote dance events that has several kinds of swing dances at one time. Noelle Gray writes about the levels you go through as you become a better swing dancer. There is also an interview with Mary Ann Nunez who appears in this video clip with the Dean Collins Lindy Hoppers from 1983 (provided by Peter Loggins).



Editor Christina Oppold has also written a review of Frankie Manning's autobiography: "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Swing".

What do you think of the June edition of Swing Dancer Magazine? Tell me.

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross sings vocalese

Vocalese is a certain kind of vocal jazz. It's similar to scatting but when you scat you use nonsense words or syllables to imitate the instruments where in vocalese you use lyrics to imitate. The masters of vocalese where the vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross consisting of Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross.

Look at this video clip of them sing "Every day I have the blues".

They have taken the arrangement from Count Basie and instead of trumpet, trombone and saxophone they are now singing those lines. The phrasing is still the same as the instrument players would have done it but it's just song.

I can really recommend their album "Sing a Song of Basie" where they do vocalese versions of Count Basie arrangements. They sing songs like "One O'clock Jump", "It's Sand, Man" and "Down For Double". Highly recommended if you like vocal jazz.

What do you think of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross singing "Every day I have the blues"? Tell me.

Ella Fitzgerald sings Sweet Georgia Brown in Stockholm

Take a look at this great video clip with Ella Fitzgerald singing Sweet Georgia Brown in Stockholm 1966. A fantastic up tempo delivery of Sweet Georgia Brown, this is Ella Fitzgerald at her best. This is why she has been called "The first lady of jazz". Enjoy!


Oow! It's hot. So much energy. If that didn't make you move your feet, I don't know what will.

Take a look at other versions of Sweet Georgia Brown that I've blogged about.

What do you think of this video clip with Ella Fitzgerald singing Sweet Georgia Brown? Tell me.

Social Dancing in America: Contents of volume one 1607-1900

Earlier this year I did a interview series with author Ralph G. Giordano who recently published his book Social Dancing in America: A History and Reference Volume 2 Lindy Hop to Hip Hop, 1901-2000.

Here is the interview:
[Part 1: How come you wrote a book about social dancing in America?]
[Part 2: Which dances do you write about in the book? ]
[Part 3: Can you share some interesting facts about Lindy hop?]
[Part 4: Do you include Balboa in the book?]
[Part 5: Tell me about the next book you're writing]

I made a suggestion to the Uppsala City Library to buy both volumes of the book and yesterday they became available. Yey!

There is so much material in these books and I just have read small bits and pieces but it seems to be really good books. What I like about them is that Ralph Giordano describes the social context where the dances were danced. That gives a new perspective to know more about who danced in what kind of places and why they did it.

I have already written about the table of the contents for the second volume and for completeness I'll post the table of the content for the first volume as well. While the second volume might be more directly interesting to readers of this blog, I think you also would be interested in knowing more about the dances that came before swing dances, because they are in a way all connected (at least in a social context).

Table of contents: Volume One “Fair Terpsichore to the Ghost Dance”


Chapter 1: The Minuet, Puritans, and Anti Dance Reformation: 1607 – 1740
Pre-Renaissance:
- Black Hat Dance, Ancient Civilization through 1500 (Tibet)
- Choral Dancing, earliest civilization through 1500
- Ring Around the Rosy, mid-14th century through 20th century (Europe)
- St. Vitus, Middle Ages, (Europe)
- Tarantella, mid-14th century through 20th century (Italy)
- Basses Dansés 14th century to early 16th century (Europe)
o Carole,
o Estampie,
o Farandole,
- Branle, 1400 to 1550 (Europe)
Renaissance:
- Allemande, 16th and 17th century (France)
- Ballo, 1450 to mid-1500s (Italy)
- Courante, mid-1500s through 18th century (Italy and France)
- Fandango, 17th century through 19th century (Spain)
- Galliard, late 16th century to early 17th century (Italian and French)
- Gavotte, 1580 to mid-1700s (France)
- Pavane, 1500 to 1600 (Italy or Spain)
- Sarabande, late 16th century (Spain)
- Volta, mid-1500s (Italy)

17th century to early 18th century:
- Contredanse, 1680 through 19th century (France)
- English Country-Dance, 1650 through 19th century (England)
- Pueblo Circle Dance, 10,000 B.C. through 17th century (North America)
- Maypole, early 1600s through 19th century (England and Ancient Times)
- Minuet, early 1600s through 18th century (France)

Chapter 2 : The Virginia Reel, George Washington, and the Waltz: 1740 – 1820
- American Colonial Minuet, 177o to 1820 (France)
- Big Circle Dances, 1800 through 19th century (England)
- Breakdown, mid- 1700s to early-1800s (African)
- Clog Dancing, early 1700s to 1800s (Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, and French Canadian)
- Contra Dancing, 1770 through 18th century (France and England)
- Cotillion, 1760 through 19th century (France)
- English Country-Dance, 1650 through 19th century (England)
- Hornpipe, 1700 to 19th century (England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland)
- Jig, 16th century through 19th century (Ireland and Scotland)
- Quadrille, 1800 through 19th century (England)
- Rigaudon, 1700 to 19th century (France or Italy)
- Square Order Shuffle, 1770s (England)
- Viennese Waltz, 1776 through 19th century (Vienna, Austria)
- Virginia Reel, early 18th century through 19th century (England)

Chapter 3: The Buffalo Dance, Cotillions, and the Polka: 1820 – 1865
- Buffalo Dance, 1800s (Mandan and Sioux)
- Dancing the Slaves, 1607 to 1820
- The Galop dance 1800 through 19th century (Europe)
- Polka, 1844 through 19th century (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
o Mazurka
o Polka Mazurka
o Redowa
o Polka Redowa,
- Ring Shout, (African tribal)
- Schottische, 1844 to 1900 (Bavaria sometimes “Schottisch”)
- Waltz, 1834 through 19th century (German)
o Boston Waltz
o Spanish Waltz (Europe and Mexican Folk)
o Waltz à Deux Temps
o Waltz à Trois Temps

Chapter 4: The Ghost Dance, the Cakewalk, and the Two-Step: 1865 - 1900
- Cakewalk, 1890 to 1905 (African American)
- Cancan, 1890 to 1910 (France)
- The German, 1870 to 1910 (France)
- Ghost Dance, 1870 to 1893 (Native American Indian)
- Square Dance Calling, 1870 through 20th century (American vernacular)
- Two-Step, 1890 to 1910 (American vernacular)

Have you read the books? What do you think of them? Tell me.

Harlem Hots Shots in Talang 2007 Final

The Harlem Hot Shots didn't win the final of the talent show Talang 2007 on TV4. Too bad. But then again, performing three times on prime time tv is great exposure both for the dance company itself and for lindy hop in general. Here is the Harlem Hot Shots performance in the final of Talang 2007.



In the introduction of the video clip you can see them dancing and showing of some of their costumes at their dance studio "Chicago" in Stockholm. There was a live band playing Bugle Call Rag, does someone know who was in the band?

If you want english translations of what is said, check out these discussion threads at Yehoodi and White Heat.

Watch their previous performances in the auditions and in the semi final.

What do you think of Harlem Hot Shots performance in the final of Talang 2007? Tell me.

Playboy Jazz Festival 2007

This weekend The Playboy Jazz Festival will be held at the Hollywood bowl where you can see artists like The World Famous Count Basie Orchestra, Dianne Reeves, Etta James and the Roots Band and many more jazz and blues artists.

It would be so much fun to go to Hollywood to attend this, make some interviews, take photos of the legends and report back to you, but it won't happen this year, so:

"Mr Hefner, if you would like me to dj an after hours swing and blues party at the Playboy mansion next year, send me some plane tickets and I'll be there!"

I'm going to see if I can listen to the jazz concerts from the festival on the radio station KJAZZ instead. KJAZZ seems to be a really good jazz and blues radion station.

Are you going to the Playboy Jazz Festival? Have you been there? Tell me.

The Sweetest Sounds at Ulva Kvarn

Yesterday the duo "The Sweetest Sounds" played at Ulva Kvarn, just outside Uppsala. Just as the name suggests they play jazzy easy listening music. Viktoria Colonna sings not only songs in English and Swedish but also in Spanish and French. The songs comes from various time periods and Daniel Lantz makes them light and soft and sometimes groovy. Together they make a beautiful combination.



You have more chances to see them at Ulva kvarn this month: Sunday June 17th at 14.00 and Tuesday June 19th at 18.00. No entrance fee. Ulva kvarn has really beautiful surroundings and a cafe.

All photos are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license them.

Have you heard The Sweetest Sounds? What do you think of them? Tell me.

Hey Mr Jesse: June edition

The June edition of the podcast Hey Mr Jesse is now available. [Download (40 MB, mp3)]

While all things they mention are good stuff, I think the best parts of the show are the interviews. They have a clip from the Philadelphia Lindy Exchange 2007 DJ Summit where several swing dj's talk about how they structure a set. Great stuff, I probably will get back to you with more comments about that later on.

Jesse Miner och Manu Smith also does a mini interview with band leader Gordon Webster and play a really good slow blues song from his new cd "Blues Till Dawn".

They give some more info about things already mentioned in this blog like:

• The Frankie Manning book launch
• Buddy DeFranco
• George Gee's new album: If Dreams Come True
• The Puppini Sisters

It nice to have topics covered from a slightly different angle.

Also they feature a comment from my swing dj colleague here in Uppsala: Jonas Pettersson regarding the last shows interview with Jonathan Stout and how he broke down the information about different kinds of swing rythms.

Read the show notes for Hey Mr Jesse - June edition to see everything they talk about in the show.

If you're interested, read what I written before about previous Hey Mr Jesse shows.

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

Carling Family Music Video with The Harlem Hot Shots

The Herräng Dance Camp is approaching fast and a couple of days ago I was reminded of that by photographer Jeremy P. Lawrence who was there last year doing a lot of dance photography.

Among the things he photographed was still images of a music video shoot of the Carling Family Band together with the Harlem Hot Shots. The video itself was shoot by Jan Forsell and directed by Chester Whitmore.

Photo by A. Jeremy P. Lawrence. The photo may not be used elsewhere without his permission. Contact him if you want to licence the photo.

Watch the music video!

The place where they dance is 'dansbanan' (a.k.a. The Dance Banana) behind 'Folkets hus' in Herräng.

What do you think of this video clip with the Carling Family Band and Harlem Hot Shots? Tell me.

Puppini Sisters sings Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

In this video clip Puppini Sisters sings a blazing fast version of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. The song was made famous by the Andrews sisters in the 1940's as it appeared in the movie Buck Privates.



What do you think of the Puppini Sisters singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy? Tell me.

My Baby Just Cares For Me

If you think of the song "My Baby Just Cares For Me", you'll most likely associate it with singer och pianist Nina Simone. Her version of the song has made such an impression that many people think it was her composition. But in fact the music was written by Walter Donaldson and the lyrics by Gus Kahn in 1930. They also wrote another song that Nina Simone used to perform: Love Me Or Leave Me.

Here is a video clip with the group Cotton Club Singers that has made a version of "My Baby Just Cares For Me" that stays close to Nina Simone's version but they have added some harmony singing.



I really like the "jazz club feeling" in how this video is shot. The group is from Hungary, learn more about the Cotton Club Singers at their website.

Also interesting (maybe more) is what the song sounded like by contemporary bands in the 1930's. Here is a sound clip with "My Baby Just Cares For Me" with Harry Hudson's Band with Sam Browne on vocals.



What do you think of the video clips? Tell me.

Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers: Photos

I'm in the process of sorting through the photos from last weeks concert and dance at Rhythm & Jive Jamboree with Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers at Katalin and All That Jazz.

Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers had great energy and played good rhythm & blues songs. If you want to see them again, they are playing at a concert at Parksnäckan June 27th.

Here are some photos from the concert. All photos are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license them.

Emma Sannervik (bass).

Magnus Ottner (guitar).

Fredrik Hammarström (piano).

Were you at the Rhythm & Jive Jamboree with Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers? What do you think of the band? Tell me.

Anita O'Day: Honeysuckle Rose

Here is a video clip with another example of Anita O'Day's fantastic phrasing when she sing Honeysuckle Rose (1956) with the Buddy DeFranco Quartet.



At your own risk: Have you ever listened closely to the lyrics of Honeysuckle Rose? It's full of double meanings. A fair warning: if you have done this once, you will loose your innocence.

What do you think of the video clip where Anita O'Day sings Honeysuckle Rose? Tell me.

Uppsala Dansfestival at Flustret

Tomorrow a dance festival starts in Uppsala: Uppsala Dansfestival. It's located at Flustret and our swing dance organisation Swingkatten will be part of it tomorrow night, where we will play swing music upstairs at night from 21 to 02.

You will be hearing good swing dj's that has performed all season at Klubb Dekadans:

• Dj Gunnar
• Dj Trina
• Dj David
• Dj Patrik
• Dj Emelie
• Dj Henrik (me!)

There will also be taster classes in lindy hop, balboa and charleston. Around 22:30 there will be a dance performance featuring lindy hop, salsa and swedish bugg.

For more details about the dance festival, check out Swingkatten's website.

Welcome!

Ella Fitzgerald: Lady Be Good & Mack the Knife

In this video clip from 1961 Ella Fitzgerald sings something you don't hear every day: a ballad version of Lady Be Good. In fact all versions I've heard up 'til now has been uptempo. Very nice and sweet, sometimes strings can be too sweet but once in a while it's ok.

Ella Fitzgerald continues with Mack the Knife and picks up the pace. Now it's really swinging! I dig the piano playing (does anyone know who plays?)



What do you think of Ella Fitzgerald singing Lady Be Good and Mack the Knife? Tell me.

After Work Jazz Photos

Here is some photos from the Friday After Work Jazz concert with Olle Thunströms kvartett. All photos are taken by me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license them.

My favorite song from the concert was "I remember Clifford" (written by Benny Golson in memory of Clifford Brown) .







Where you at the concert? What did you think of it? Tell me.

Rhythm & Jive Jamboree at Katalin

Tonight it's Rhythm & Jive Jamboree at Katalin and all that jazz. The performers this night is the Sweet Emma & The Mood Swingers which plays high energy rhythm & blues with a touch of swing, Slaptones which will play rhythm & blues/ rockabilly and last but not least Svante Grundberg who will dj och show vintage clips from the 1930s-1950s. There will be place to dance there, so go and check them out.

I think it's going to be a great evening. It all starts at 21 o'clock and costs 130 kr.

Have you heard any of the bands before? What do you think? Tell me.

Harlem Hot Shots dances in TV4 Talang final

Tonight, the swing dance show group The Harlem Hot Shots will perform in the final of the talent show Talang 2007 on TV4. The competition is fierce so be sure to vote for them, so that they can win the first prize of one million swedish crowns.

In the final they will add some extras and one lindy hopper from Uppsala might be seen in the background. I'm also told that there will also be a live band performing the song they will dance to.

Watch Talang 2007 at 20 o'clock tonight on TV4. Vote for lindy hop!

Video clips with Harlem Hotshots: semi final and audition round.

Have you followed Talang 2007 on TV4? What do you think of Harlem Hot Shots chances of winning? Tell me.