[Dixielandjazz] John Petters and Swing Dancers.

[David Richoux]

Yes indeed!

One thing that makes a good band great for the dancers is the  
awareness of the bandleader (and all of the band) to the dance floor  
activity - so many times I have seen the dancers really get in the  
groove and then the song ends too soon because "well, that's the way  
it was arranged."

If the dancers are rockin' - keep it going a few more choruses! Take  
another solo, do some trades, 2 or 3 ensemble outs, whatever it takes!  
If the band starts out in 3/4 time for a song and the dancers are  
having fun with the waltz, don't immediately switch to 4/4 "because we  
are a jazz band - not some cheap Lawrence Welk Orchestra!" Look up  
over your music stands (if you have them) and really see what is going  
on out there on the floor.

On the other hand, if the dancers are running out of gas, and that  
does happen - don't expect them to be on the floor for the "full 10  
rounds" on each song...

Dave Richoux

On Jul 19, 2009, at 9:49 PM, Stephen G Barbone wrote:

>> john petters <jdpetters at btinternet.com> wrote:
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFBhTndx0fQ
>>
>> Just uploaded this video of my 'young' Swing band playing for young
>> people at the Goodnight Sweethearts Dance in Hertford, UK in  
>> February.
>> Sound not too good due to a very lively acoustic and the noise of the
>> dancers - but it does demonstrate that young audiences will go for
>> swinging music in a big way if played with a give it one attitude.
>
> Bravo John.
>
> Great rendition, great to see the young people swing dancing, GREAT.  
> This is what the music is all about, eh? Those of us who play for  
> swing dancing in the USA can't help but salute you. I even saw Jim  
> Fryer taking swing dance lessons last month at a swing dance gig I  
> played with him. No flies on him. And the young ladies. . . . . sigh.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone