Music
Bands:
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
One of the most active and versatile musicians on the scene, Webster maintains ongoing collaborative relationships with a diverse array of jazz/blues and lindy hop luminaries, and is an associate member of one of the most popular traditional jazz bands on the U.S. lindy hop scene, the Cangelosi Cards.
Tin Pan sounds like Tom Waits and Ray Charles hanging out on Bourbon Street. Roxana Robinson of the New York Times says: “The singer lowers his trumpet and leans back against the wall, belting out another song, eyes shut, heart open. A strong, bluesy voice full of heart. We all feel it.” And the singularity of their sound, coupled with the sheer pleasure of it, has earned the band a multitude of exposure, with some seemingly strange bedfellows. “We played a campaign event for (New York City) Mayor Bloomberg, we’ve played the Guggenheim…and we’ve played supporting for MC Hammer. It’s sort of surreal,” notes Jesse. Playing around 230 shows per year, mainly in New York, the band lives out their commitment to enliven through sharing this music.
DJs:
Alain Wong
Alain loves to dance. And he loves swinging jazz music. One day, he realized he could combine both together. That – day – was – wonderful. Alain has DJ’ed at many events in the North-East, notably at the Montreal Lindy Hop Exchange, the Albany Chill, The Lindy Compound in Rochester, The Dovercourt House in Toronto, the Québec Swing Rendez-Vous, the Boston Tea Party and the Canadian Swing Championships. Although he likes to think people invite him for his exceptional musical taste, he concedes that it may just be an excuse for them to gawk at the guy who swung out in the Gmail/Youtube video. Or to ask him to swivel like he did in a couple’s routine with Max Pitruzzella.
Camille Fontanella
Camille has been dancing since she was a wee girl and swing dancing since 1998. While living in California prior to moving east, she participated in numerous Lindy Hop performance groups, and, once she’d moved to New England in 2001, began teaching Lindy Hop classes. When not on the dance floor, Camille (aka “C-Jam” when she DJs)is an avid collector of Swing Era jazz and has DJ’d throughout the region since 2003. In 2001, Camille co-founded CrazyLegs, a Lindy Hop performance group, as a means to spread her love of the dance. In 2002, she helped found the not-for-profit Lindy League of Western Massachusetts for the promotion of Lindy Hop events. Camille is well known for her clarity in teaching solid basics, lead/follow technique, connection and innovative and energetic dancing.
Chris Oksanen
Chris is an avid music collector and music listener of many years. He has a fine collection of jazz and blues and enjoys seeking out stimulating and fun music for dancers. He gives thoughtful consideration to song selection, the musical tastes of the dancers, and toward maintaining positive energy and excitement on the dance floor. His djing style leans toward jazz with a groovy soulful quality and blues (and any music that feels great to dance to). Chris is a Connecticut dj and swing/blues dancer of approximately ten years.
Dan Repsch
Dan is a Philadelphia native whose obsession with music has been life-long. He’s taken to DJing because he loves sharing his music, inspiring other dancers, and guiding the energy of a dance. He’s constantly challenging himself to bring new material to his fellow dancers and works hard to offer a variety of music in his sets that stays true to the roots of the dance. He loves all styles of music and his sets tend more toward vintage-style jazz and blues, but he can bring the funk if the dance calls for it.
Dan was a primary instructor and DJ at Penn State until his graduation, and since his return to Philadelphia has become a regular DJ for Philly’s many weekly dances. Dan has traveled to teach and DJ at exchanges and dances across several states on the east coast, and is always looking for the next travel opportunity.
Dhruv Bhargava
Dhruv loves the site of dancers tearing it up. He loves to see lindy hoppers swing the heck out and to see the happy, pulse-y energy driving people to go all crazy and silly and do that Charleston thing. He loves it when they get down and ham it up with the sounds of sweet Soul music, or groove it to mellower tunes. In other words, he wants you to dance and will make sure his music gets you to the dance floor and keeps you there! His tunes can be raw, electric, sweet, joyful, chill or sad and blue, but he aims for them to always be immensely danceable.
Over the last year you may have heard him spin tunes at Montreal’s Cat Corner Exchange, at the American Lindy Hop Championships, at CTLX, at the inaugural Blue Moon Ball in Hartford, CT and regularly at the Frim Fram Jam in New York City and naturally, all over CT.
Helene Horowitz
Helene started Djing as a guest at Vinnie’s in 2005 with a tribute to New Orleans. Since then you may have seen her Djing at Vinnies, Frim Fram, Yale Swing and Blues, and CTLX. Her favorite music is from New Orleans, and recent New York City bands. Helene will defintely play music that will make you happy to be dancing, and looks forward to sharing some songs with you.
Julie ‘Sapo’ Andja
A new Dj on the northeast corner of your map. Sapo is most enjoyable at a late night and most appreciated at house parties as some Montreal, Waterloo and New Haven CT people will tell you. She’s all about that moody, groovy stuff and her favorite thing is to try and stretch it till the sun comes up (or a neighbor). Has Djed at Montreal Bagel N’ Blues, Mystic Blues III, Frankie’s 95th (Frankie Forever with Kim Nalley blues late night), Melting Pot (CT) and Carnaval Swing de Québec.
Wil Reed
Wil has been dancing and DJing for over ten years. He has DJed for all over New England as well as Beantown Lindy Hop Camp, Providence Swings, and Waterfire in Rhode Island.
And more to come…