Search Results for: chrisbe song of the week balboa

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

18.09.2012 by Chris

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. They made four recordings that are considered early bebop jazz.

In the late 1940s, he put together an R&B-oriented group, Tiny «Mac» Grimes and the Rocking Highlanders.

Tiny Grimes was active up until his death, playing his swing/bop transitional style and recording as a leader for different labels.

Source: allmusic, wikipedia

I Found A New Baby

This version was recorded for the famous «The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions».

I'm a big fan of electric guitar jazz. I love Grime's melodic playing and my favorite part are the melody lines top down starting around 3:57.

DJs, please consider the song length of 5:21 minutes.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B00150I4U2″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vnpVZVYEL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B00150G1N4″ locale=»us»]I Found a New Baby[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Tiny Grimes
Recorded: 1974
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B00150I4U2″ locale=»us»]Some Groovy Fours (France, 1968-1974) (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions)[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 204 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001R769TQ» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B00150G1N4″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001LXAQ8Q» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

Do you like this tune? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #131: Tabby The Cat

03.09.2012 by Chris

Stanley Newcomb «Stan» Kenton (Dec. 15, 1911 – Aug. 25, 1979) was a white pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of original and often controversial bands.

Kenton grew up in California and learned playing piano as a teenager. Throughout the years, he performed with various territory bands, theater groups and dance bands. His early influence on piano was Earl Hines.

In 1940, Kenton formed a rehearsal band, later named «Artistry in Rhythm» after his theme song, and in the summer of 1941, they were playing regularly at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa Beach, CA, and were gaining a strong following.

Like Jimmie Lunceford, Kenton loved screaming trumpets and thick-toned tenors. He admired the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, but he wanted to go in another direction.

During 1941-1942, he made his first recordings, but they didn't sell well.

The orchestra struggled for a couple of years. In late 1943, the orchestra began its 25-year association with Capitol by recording the hit «Eager Beaver». Singer Anita O'Day and tenor saxophonist Stan Ketz were with the orchestra for a brief moment.

Tabby The Cat

From that period is our song of the week. Although it was never Stan Kenton's goal to lead a band that played swing for dancers, this tune works great for dancing.

A nice, relaxed song with the typical «sharp» Stan Kenton big band sound!

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B0050LKMQQ» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61jbqJt-KwL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKOH8″ locale=»us»]Tabby The Cat[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Anita O'Day with Stan Kenton & His Orchestra
Recorded: 1944
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKMQQ» locale=»us»]Great Big Band Singers – 25 Song Collection[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 132 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004YX5QJY» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKOH8″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004YXQ5GM» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about the this song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

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

27.08.2012 by Chris

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

Paul Gonsalves at Newport Jazz Festival 1956 — Paul Gonsalves. Photograph: Paul Hoeffler/Redferns

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 between “Diminuendo” and “Crescendo”. Duke agreed and Gonsalves soloed for nearly 26-28 choruses (depends on the source) bringing the people to crying out and jumping on their chairs.

A few years later, Duke Ellington almost gave up his orchestra due to slackening demand in big band music, but then there was this legendary performance that rejuvenated Duke's career.

Sources: Wikipedia, Citypaper

Live at Newport Jazz Festival 1956

The story of a riot, that was almost created… 27 choruses solo… a platinum blond woman dancing… watch the clip!

And here is the full track, at least audible: 14 minutes and 14 seconds.

I really love that song! There is so much energy in there and you hear the musicians cheer Paul and pushing him even more. How I wish to have seen this performance with my own eyes.

Don't forget, it was in 1956, the same year when Elvis Presley and Rock 'n› Roll became big! And Duke Ellington and his band brought big band music back on the radar.

DJ'ing Diminuendo And Crescendo in Blue

It's obvious, that you only can play this song at special occasions. 14+ minutes is far too long for a DJ'ed song for dancers.

Here is how DJ Kyle Smith does it. For example, he plays that song every year at the All Balboa Weekend, dedicating it to Sylvia Sykes. So, he announces the song, the length of the song and that it's totally okay to switch partners during the song. That way, you can decide yourself if you prefer dancing or having a drink.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B0013DDOCO» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61f7UoaU7ZL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B0013CRKRA» locale=»us»]Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue (Live)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Duke Ellington
Recorded: 1956
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B0013DDOCO» locale=»us»]Ellington At Newport 1956[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 196 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004A08JLS» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0013CRKRA» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001GTIY8Y» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

Are you a lover or a hater of that tune? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

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

20.08.2012 by Chris

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 Sam Taylor, pianist Bennie Payne, guitarist Danny Barker, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Cozy Cole, and others.

I highly recommend to watch the Cab Calloway documentary «Sketches» (1 hour).

At The Clambake Carnival

The song starts at 1:33. The sound quality is poor but you get the idea ;).

Because Cab Calloway isn't singing in that song, it's not so obvious that it's by him and his orchestra.

«At The Clambake Carnival» is a lightly swinging tune with a simple base rhythm. Therefore it's also very suitable for (Balboa) beginner classes.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61P9HsPO1DL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]At The Clambake Carnival[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Cab Calloway
Recorded: 1938
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us»]New York 1937-1938, Vol. 2 Disk B[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 191 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001S6TSO4″ locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001FJFP9Q» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about Cab Calloway's music? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

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30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge: Your Favorite Live Band

03.08.2012 by Chris

Every Friday for thirty weeks, I will write about a topic from the list of the «30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge«.

Here is…

Week #4: Your Favorite Live Band

That's easy and I don't have to think about it:

Gordon Webster

In my eyes, there is no other band out there right now which brings such an energy onto the dance floor right from the start of the concert like Gordon Webster and his band (in different formations: Gordon Webster 7, Gordon Webster Sextet, feat. Naomi Uyama, feat. Steven Mitchell).

I have seen Gordon several times at different events and different locations and it's always like that!

No idea, how they do it.

At the end of the night, the dancers get crazy and the band gets crazy. The energy and the inspiration is going back and forth like a ping-pong game.

If you haven't seen them live, you're missing out on something.

And if you don't have his CDs, you're missing out on something again.

Posts about Gordon Webster on this blog

And don't forget to check out Gordon Webster's website.

<< Last Friday: #3 A description of your favorite partner (and why they’re your favorite)

>> Next Friday: #5 Your favorite Lindy Hop variation dance (charleston, balboa, shag)

Search Results for: chrisbe song of the week balboa

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

Tiny Grimes

I Found A New Baby

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #131: Tabby The Cat

Tabby The Cat

Related Songs:

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

Diminuendo In Blue And Crescendo In Blue

Live at Newport Jazz Festival 1956

DJ'ing Diminuendo And Crescendo in Blue

Related Songs:

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

At The Clambake Carnival

Related Songs:

30 Week Lindy Hop Challenge: Your Favorite Live Band

Week #4: Your Favorite Live Band

Gordon Webster

Posts about Gordon Webster on this blog