Category: Music

Big fan of Cats and the Fiddle; they had a crazy good feel to everything they did and a very recognisable sound.  Their faster tempo songs are where it’s at and this one (Killin’ Jive) is usually faster than depicted here but I HAD to go with this clip.  It’s a live performance and there’s nothing...

I’ve been playing the hell out of this lately; it’s just so damn good and goofy as hell at the same time.  Instrumentally fantastic to dance to but playful and full of quirky character at the same time.

Man, this is one sweet song.  I love the charming “chug” as it rolls forward, I love the vocal interjections and I love the overall laid back feel of this number.  Effortlessly playful and a dream to dance to.  Turn it up and chill as you listen to the sounds of 1935.

MAN is this a swingin’ song.  I love it, it just builds and builds and makes you lose your mind over how cool it is.  Or maybe that’s just me, I’m really into this stuff.  Lucky Millinder’s orchestra was extremely popular back in the day and even had a stint at the Savoy Ballroom.  It’s...

I went through a big stage (I say big but maybe it was only around six months) where I’d just go nuts when this song was played.  If this was on it was an absolute guarantee I was on the floor and LOVING IT.  The musicality is inspiring but, Man, any song that has a...

There’s a lot to love in Benny Goodman’s repertoire but this one has always stood out to me.  Partly because I’d heard it a lot when I was new to Lindy Hop and partly because I’d remembered it from the Disney cartoon clip (I’d seen it on a Sunday night Disney show; one of the...

A powerful, driving song from Chick Webb; I love it.  Chick’s band was the house band at the Savoy Ballroom (the “birthplace of Lindy Hop”) and played a big part in the history of our dance.  Try not to be too mesmerised by the terrible graphic.

And all time favourite of mine.  This song has such a cool and smooth feel to it and it’s a pleasure to dance to.  I had a wonderful conversation with Frankie Manning about this song; he loved it for its swingin’ feel and made a point to play it in a lot of his classes.

I don’t like to play favourites but if I did have a favourite Swing song, and I’m not saying I do but IF I did…it would be this one.  Basie’s in fine form, the song is brimming with inspirational musicality to play with on the dance floor and it’s just a damn cool tune.  Click...