Full Name: Nathaniel Charles Gonella Lived: March 7, 1908 – August 6, 1998 Summary: English jazz trumpeter, bandleader and vocalist best known for his work with the band he formed in 1935, the Georgians, with whom he played during the
A Mellow Bit of Rhythm: Andy Kirk and the Twelve Clouds of Joy
Andrew Dewey Kirk (May 28, 1898 in Newport, Kentucky – December 11, 1992 in New York City) was an American jazz saxophonist and tubist, who was best known as the bandleader of the Twelve Clouds of Joy, a band based in Kansas
Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner (born born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. A blues shouter is a term for a blues singer capable of singing and projecting their voice
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
Last August, the 9:20 Special held a “Pro-Am” contest, in which “amateur” dancers paired with local teachers (the “pros”) and competed in a Strictly format. Nathan and I both participated; I ended up dancing in the first heat, while Nathan
Trumpet Man: Harry James
Harry James (born Henry Haag James, 1916-1983) was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He was one of the most popular bandleaders of the first half of the 1940s and he continued to play with his orchestra until just before his
Tuxedo Junction: Erskine Hawkins
Erskine Hawkins was a jazz trumpeter and bandleader from Birmingham, Alabama. He earned the nickname as “the Twentieth Century’s Gabriel” through his flamboyant playing style and ability to hit high notes. As a boy, Hawkins first learned to play drums,
Fletcher Henderson
A few weekends ago, some of you may have heard about (or attended!) Boogie by the Bay, a swing dance weekend in Burlingame. The event primarily caters to West Coast Swing dancers, but the organizers make sure to include some
Chick Webb: Lindy Hopper’s Delight
Have you ever witnessed a jam? Not the mellow birthday or out-of-towners kind of jam, but the kind where a circle will suddenly clear on the dance floor and couple after couple will take turns in the spotlight, showing off
King of Swing: Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman (1909-1986) was an American jazz musician, clarinetist & band leader, often referred to as the King of Swing. He led one of the most popular, successful and iconic big bands of the Swing Era. His band is also
Moten Swing(s)
Audrey and I recently taught a musicality workshop at the 9:20 Special in San Francisco in which we asked students to get familiar with the melodies and structure of some quintessential pieces of swing music — in order to better