The Swingsations: News

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to our performance at The Strutter's Ball this past Wednesday night - we were well received and had a lot of fun. Shesha Marvin and Jonathan Stout are to be commended for keeping live swing music alive and well in Orange County. Stay tuned, we hope to be back soon.

I've been busy lately out at Disneyland, rehearsing a new show, "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee", based on the upcoming animated movie. It's quite a production, involving a parade with a large cast and using the Mark Twain riverboat. The show started last week, and I'll actually be performing in it tomorrow and on Wednesday, Nov. 11. In addition, I'll be appearing with the Royal St. Bachelors on Nov. 18 and on Nov. 21 ( in the afternoon ). If you're in the area come on by and say hi!

As I related in my last entry, there's live music on Wednesday nights in Orange, and now we'll be a part of it...on Nov. 18 we'll be appearing from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at the Strutter's Ball, located at the Women's Club at 121 S. Center St. It's run by Shesha Marvin and ocswing, and complete details can be found at www.struttersball.com, or the ocswing website.
Come on out and support live swing music in Orange County! We'll have Ralf Reynolds guesting on drums that night.
We hope to see you there!

Good news! Jonathan Stout ( of Campus Five fame ) will soon be producing live music every Wednesday night at the Women's Club of Orange (121 S. Center St., home of the Strutter's Ball). It will feature some of the best swing groups in the area, as well as special "all star" combinations. The Swingsations hope to be there soon, and I plan on being there on a regular basis. Stay tuned to www.ocswing.com for the start date and more details.

Hi everyone! I'm sorry it's been a while since I've written, but I tend to get busy with other matters this time of year. Between family and starting up my elementary band programs, time just seems to slip away.
The band has been doing a few private events, and we hope to be doing something for the public again soon. In the meantime, have a wonderful fall!

Many thanks to the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and the Queen Mary for another great weekend of music. We performed for a reception and did a four hour gig in the Observation Bar on Friday, and then returned for a four hour bar gig on Sunday. In between, I performed at the Art Deco Ball with Dean Mora's fine band. The crowds were large and very appreciative. Thanks again, everyone - we hope to be back again for our sixth consecutive year in 2010.

We had a great time last night performing on the Redondo Beach Pier - special guest guitarist Riner Scivally played especially well, and we were able to pay tribute in song to many famous jazz musicians on their centennial year (Lester Young, Ben Webster, Chick Webb among them). It looks like we'll be back next year, so stayed tuned!

In addition to my band and working with Dean and Jonathan, I've also had the privilege (and pleasure) of working with the fine musicians in New Orleans Square at Disneyland...I've been subbing there for three years on a fairly regular basis. You can see me performing with The Royal Street Bachelors (trio) and The Jambalaya Jazz Band ( six piece street group ). Look for me subbing with both groups this summer and throughout the year.

We want to extend a big thank you to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for allowing us to be part of their Fourth of July celebration at the Epicenter. What a well run event - the staff was so friendly and helpful. We hope to be invited back next year.