Interested in Swing Music?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Our DJing philosophy is to play a large variety of music, everything from “classic” swing of the big band era (and before, even), to small jazz combos, to our infamous last sets, where anything has, and does, goes.
Swing Dance Music Recommendations
The following will all be links to posts in this blog — posts that I have yet to write, as I believe the best way to have a more searchable music information is through that route. So, stay tuned as this page gets updated. THANKS!
The Essentials – these eight albums will get your collection off to a great start. You get a mix of classic big band, lounge, and modern (danceable) jazz ensembles. Most swing DJ’s will own these albums.
Really Swingin’: Frankie Manning’s Big Band Favorites
Oscillatin’ Rhythm: Great Swing Hits in Hi-Fi
Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 5: Wild Cool & Swingin
Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 15: Wild Cool & Swingin, Too!
Are You Hep to the Jive?
Live in Swing City
For Dancers Only: A Lindy Hop Compilation Jazz/Essential.
Big Band Swing – many dancers enjoy the music originating at the same time as the Lindy Hop, the classic BIG band sound heard back in the 30’s/40’s.
Begin the Beguine
Swingin’ Away
Live Echoes of the Swinging Bands
The Very Best of Frank Sinatra
The Andrews Sisters
More Charlie Barnet
Local Bands – Support the local swing scene by going out to see our talented bands such as:
* Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
* Stompy Jones (formerly known as Swing Session)
* Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums
and much more!
Local events can be found listed in the SwingTalk forums
Jazz and Blues – the modern Lindy Hopper has over 100 years of jazz from which to choose from to express his/her musicality. From the high energy swingin’ sounds of the big bands, we move to a collection of smaller jazz combos and blues music.
The Best of the Concord Years
Jazz Me Blues
Night Train
Count Basie Encounters Oscar Peterson
That one song – many times we buy a cd only to find it contains one or two good songs — what a disappointment. However, at other times, we will buy a cd JUST for that ONE song. And if there happens to be some other gems, they’re just bonus! These are songs where people have come up to ask: “What was that song you just played?”
The Essential Dinah Washington: The Great Songs – Dinah Washington. That One Song. Contains one of my favorite songs, Baby, You Got What It Takes. There’s also a great version of Christopher Columbus. -Dave
Soulcall – Nnenna Freelon. Jazz/That One Song. Dancers have been coming up to ask me about this cool version of “Straighten up and Fly Right”, a terrific a capella version rendered by Freelon, and backed by the gospel group, Take 6. -Dave
Last Songs – at the end of the day, often we’ll put on a non-swing song, but hopefully one that’s danceable nonetheless. Music is so diverse it’s no surprise that there are other genres to which we can dance to and enjoy.
La Revancha del Tango
“Pata Pata” – Miriam Makeba.