Archive for August, 2007

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Watch George Lloyd, one of the original Savoy dancers

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

Here is one of my favorite clips of swing dancing on Youtube. George Lloyd is one of the original dancers at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. You can see him dancing here with Margaret Batiuchuk. I love the sliding feet!

Posted in Wicked dance videos | 2 Comments »

My Top 5 Duke Ellington songs for swing dancing

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

Following last week’s top Count Basie songs, here are my top 5 favorite Duke Ellington tunes

  1. Favorite slow: “Black and Tan Fantasy” 110 bpm - Okeh Ellington
  2. Favorite midtempo: “C Jam Blues” 180 bpm - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band
  3. Favorite fast: “Rockin’ In Rhythm” 215 bpm - Ellington ‘55
  4. Favorite fast jam: “Main Stem” 210 bpm - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band
  5. Favorite all around: “Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’” 120 bpm - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band

I actually have one more favorite. “In a Mellotone” 161 bpm off the album Blues In Orbit.

Let me know what you think of these songs, and which Duke Ellington song you think should have been on this list.

Posted in About jazz music | 1 Comment »

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