Formed in 1995, The Swingsations are dedicated to preserving and swinging the best Classic Jazz, Swing and Novelty tunes of the 1920's to the 1940's. Led by trumpeter and vocalist Jim Ziegler, the band has performed throughout Southern California, delighting audiences with their hot and happy rhythm.
Performance credits include:
Nightclub appearances at the Derby (2004 -08) and the Argyle Hotel ( 2003 - 04 )in Los Angeles; jazz festivals ( including the 1996 Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, 1997 Sun Valley, Idaho and the Big Bear Lake Festival of Jazz, 1998 - 2000 );numerous park concert appearances including Lakewood, South Pasadena, Temecula, Alhambra, La Palma, and Whittier, CA just to name a few. The group has also performed on television, providing music for the "Weekend Entertaining" show on the DIY Network in October 2005. The group's two recordings, "Swing That Music" and "Swingers and Novelties" are both selling well on Cdbaby.com.
The group's members are Phil Krawzak on tenor saxophone and clarinet; Tom Hynes on guitar; Lee "Westy" Westenhofer on string bass and vocals; and Bryan Taylor on drums. Fine musicians all, they work together to create a terrific swinging ensemble.
Our playlist runs the gamut from classic swing era tunes to dixieland favorites, as well as fun novelty numbers from the great vocal groups of the era ( The Spirits of Rhythm, Slim and Slam, etc. ). So if you like music that will lift you up and help you forget your troubles, why not not make it a "swingin' affair" with The Swingsations!