DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #135: Moten Swing

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Bennie Moten Moten Swing

Bennie Moten (Nov. 13, 1894 – April 2, 1935) was a fine ragtime-oriented pianist who led the top territory band of the 1920s, an orchestra that really set the standard for Kansas City jazz. Moten formed his group (originally a sextet) in 1922 and in 1923, they made their first recordings. During 1926-1932, Moten’s Orchestra recorded for Victor and, although none of his original musicians became famous, the later additions included his brother Buster Moten on occasional jazz accordion, Harlan Leonard, Jack Washington, Eddie Durham, Jimmy Rushing, Hot Lips Page, and (starting in 1929) Count Basie. The most famous Bennie Moten [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #134: I Ain’t Got Nobody

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DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #134: I Ain't Got Nobody by Lew Stone

I have to warn you: this is a damn hot version of I Ain’t Got Nobody Lew Stone Lew Stone (June 28, 1898 – Feb. 13, 1969), born in London UK, was an extremely popular bandleader, arranger, and pianist throughout the 1930s. Beginning in 1927, he was as a freelance arranger for numerous bands for four years. In 1931, Stone joined Roy Fox‘s orchestra as a arranger and pianist, playing at the Monseigneur Restaurant. Stone took over the leader’s position when Fox needed to rest because of illness. He turned the band into the most popular one in London. Stone continued to [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #133: I Found A New Baby

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DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #133: I Found A New Baby by Tiny Grimes

It’s time to introduce another version of my all-time favorite song “I Found A New Baby“. Tiny Grimes Lloyd “Tiny” Grimes (July 7, 1916 – March 4, 1989) began his musical career as drummer and worked as pianist. As one of the earliest electric guitarist, he started playing the electric 4-string tenor guitar in 1938. Two years later, he joined The Cats and the Fiddle as guitarist and singer. During 1943-1944, Grimes was part of a classic Art Tatum Trio which also included Slam Stewart. After leaving Art Tatum, he started recording under his own name. In September 1944, he led a session including Charlie Parker. [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #130: Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue

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Duke Ellington Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue

Our song of the week is a legendary one. As a (Balboa) dancer, you love it or you hate it, there’s nothing in between. I belong to the group of lovers. What is so special about this song you may ask. Well, read further Diminuendo In Blue And Crescendo In Blue Duke Ellington wrote “Diminuendo In Blue” and “Crescendo In Blue” in 1937. The songs were recorded individually on opposite sides of a 78 rpm record and they were performed as separate pieces until 1951. At the Birdland club in that year, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves asked Duke for a solo [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #129: At The Clambake Carnival

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Cab Calloway At The Clambake Carnival

Cabell “Cab“ Calloway III (Dec. 25, 1907 – Nov. 18, 1994) was one of the most famous black stars in the 1930s-40s. He was a (underrated) vocalist, performer and bandleader of one of the most popular African American big bands during that era with the Cotton Club as his home stage. Cab Calloway was known to hire the best musicians and pay them top wages. He was convinced that when he had top sidemen it made him look good. His sidemen included such great musicians as trumpeters Doc Cheatham, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones, tenor saxophonists Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Illinois Jacquet, Ike Quebec and [...]

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30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge: Your Favorite Lindy Hop Variation Dance

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30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge on Shuffle Projects

Every Friday for thirty weeks, I will write about a topic from the list of the “30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge“. Well, I’m too late this week, it’s Saturday. Never mind! Here is Week #5: Your favorite Lindy Hop variation dance (Charleston, Balboa, Shag) If you are a regular visitor on this website then you already know the answer. My absolute favorite is: Balboa Meanwhile, I would even say Lindy Hop is my favorite Balboa variation dance, I have become that addicted to that dance . My first contact with Balboa was in 2000 (or 2001, I’m not sure anymore) at Herräng [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #125: Jeep Jockey Jump

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Glenn Miller Jeep Jockey Jump

Glenn Alton Miller (March 1, 1904 - Dec. 15, 1944 (missing in action)) dominated popular music from the spring of 1939 to the fall of 1942 and was during that relatively brief period the most popular bandleader in the U.S. In 1942, at age 38, he decided to join the army which was now also involved in World War II. He was too old to be drafted but after months of negotiations, he got accepted on September 10. On September 27, he played his final gig with his civil band which he broke up afterwards. Captain (later Major) Glenn Miller was transferred to the Army Air [...]

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #124: Cherokee

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DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #124: Cherokee by Charlie Barnet

I often get asked what is a typical Balboa song. Well, I guess all the experienced Balboa DJs among us have discussed that topic a thousand times. The question should probably be, is there something like a typical Balboa song? I don’t wanna discuss that here in this post. All I can say right now is, that in my opinion, there are songs that work better for Balboa than other ones. This song of the week is for sure one of the “work great for Balboa” group. Cherokee Charlie Daly Barnet (Oct. 26, 1913 – Sept. 4, 1991) had a [...]

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