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.