Balboa

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

23.07.2012 by Chris

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 Force. He organized a service band and began performing at military camps and war-bond rallies. He also hosted a weekly radio series called «Sustain the Wings«. In 1943, he had two more Top Ten hits in the charts.

In June 1944, he took his band to Great Britain and performed for the troops and did radio broadcasts.

On December 15, 1944, Glenn Miller was to fly to Paris to play for the troops there. His plane disappeared over the English Channel. Neither the crew, nor passengers, nor the plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.

Jeep Jockey Jump

The song was written by Jerry Gray and celebrated all of the soldiers driving across the battlefields in the famous four-wheel vehicles.

Some songs are particularly suitable or attractive for choreographies. Go on YouTube, type in the title of our song of the week and you know what I mean.

There are several versions with different tempos available.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B004LBW5AW» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VH5KYzMPL._SL160_.jpg» width=»157″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBS790″ locale=»us»]Jeep Jockey Jump[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Glenn Miller & The Army Airforce Band
Recorded: 1944
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBW5AW» locale=»us»]The Lost Recordings[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 184 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBTF9Q» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBS790″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBCCIM» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about this version? 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.

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

15.07.2012 by Chris

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 great hit with Cherokee, a tune written by Ray Noble and arranged by trumpeter Billy May. It was the beginning of the height of his popularity which lasted from 1939 – ca. 1942.

But also his recordings from 1942 – 1949 were quite successful. In 1947, he started to switch from Swing to Bop. Eventually, he lost interest in music and retired in 1949.

Not a big deal for him, he was already a millionaire when he was born. He returned into music business from time to time, though, but never full time anymore.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B000WAUI96″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RO8UN8bvL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B000WAUI9Q» locale=»us»]Cherokee[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Charlie Barnet
Recorded: 1939
Tempo: 177 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0053ZN9K0″ locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B000WAUI9Q» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0053ZCCOY» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link]

What do you think about this version? 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.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #123: Russian Rag

09.07.2012 by Chris

Tuba Skinny from New Orleans are very productive, at least recording wise. Every year since 2009, they are releasing a new album.

After «Tubaskinny» in 2009, «Six Feet Down» in 2010 and «Garbage Man» in 2011, Tuba Skinny just recently released their brand new album «Rag Band».

We don't learn that much about the fourth album 😉

Our newest album «Rag Band» is done!
After many many months of recording and re-recording, we are happy to say our new album «Rag Band» is finally complete. Thanks for your patience!

The short statement on Tuba Skinny's website.

They recorded the album in October 2011 and April 2012 in the Holy Cross, New Orleans with the help of Cassidy Holden. «Squeeze Me» (Track 14) was recorded live at the Spotted Cat.

Russian Rag

When you listen to this album, then you feel put back in time. That's how it must have sounded many decades ago in New Orleans. Good to know that there are still bands cultivating the traditional New Orleans sound!

One of my favorite tunes from «Rag Band» is «Russian Rag». I like the harmony and the breaks. And I'm a big fan of Erika Lewis› authentic vocals! Not an easy song for dancers, though.

Tuba Skinny are: Todd Burdick – Tuba, Ryan Baer – Banjo/Guitar/Harmonica/Vocals, Barnabus Jones – Trombone/Guitar/Banjo, Shaye Cohn – Cornet/Piano/Fiddle, Robin Rapuzzi – Washboard/Bass Drum, Erika Lewis – Vocals.

Special Guests on the album: Jon Doyle – Clarinet/Tenor Sax, Ewan Bleach – Clarinet, John James – Dobro, Sam Doores – Bass Drum, Cassidy Holden – Bass Drum.

Artist: Tuba Skinny
Released: June 23, 2012
Album: Rag Band
Tempo: 202 bpm
Dance: Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa

Buy this album! It's USD 10 or more.

Do you like to dance to New Orleans Jazz? 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 #121: New Orleans Twist

25.06.2012 by Chris

Have you ever heard the name Gene Gifford before? If not then there is nothing to feel bad about it.

Harold Eugene «Gene» Gifford (May 31, 1908 – November 12, 1970) was a white American banjo player, guitarist and arranger and was nearly unknown during the swing era.

Gifford grew up in Memphis Tennessee where he played banjo in high school. He performed with territory bands before he toured Texas with his own band. Then, he worked with the band «Blue Steele», where he switched to guitar, and others.

In 1929, he arranged for Jean Goldkette and gained some attention. In the same year, Gifford became a member of the Orange Blossoms, evolving shortly after in the Casa Loma Orchestra.

At the beginning, he was the chief arranger, played guitar and banjo in the band. In 1933, he gave up actively playing and focused on composing and arranging. His compositions and arrangements gave the Casa Loma Orchestra its own personality: «Smokey Rings», «Casa Loma Stomp» and many others are the titles of memorable tunes by him.

Gene Gifford just led one recording session of his own, resulting in four sides in 1935 for Victor.

In 1939, he left the band and started to arrange for top bands and for radio. During 1948-1949, he returned to the Casa Loma Orchestra, now known as Glen Gray's Orchestra.

On a part-time basis he was still writing and teaching music, but most of the time in the following two decades, he was working as a radio engineer.

New Orleans Twist is one of the four songs, he recorded under his own name. A vivid tune for Balboa and Lindy Hop dancers.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B000Y2LY36″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zGCZJ0PCL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B000Y2LXTG» locale=»us»]New Orleans Twist[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Gene Gifford
Recorded: 1935
Tempo: 207 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
[easyazon-link asin=»B001SF67DK» locale=»de»]Amazon[/easyazon-link]

What do you think about this version? 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.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #119: Traffic Jam

11.06.2012 by Chris

The All Balboa Weekend in Cleveland, OH just ended. On Sunday night we had a special event going on: a DJ'ed Battle of the bands.

Three DJs were spinning a set of just one artist. First Django Reinhardt, followed by Artie Shaw and finally Chick Webb. I was the Artie Shaw DJ and played one hour of his best tunes.

Finally, the audience decided who won the battle. And you know what? Artie killed it!

So, our Song of the Week is of course one by Artie Shaw. It was the last title of the set and it's quite fast.

Traffic Jam

In the same year, Shaw appeared in the movie Dancing Co-Ed and played a slightly slower version of Traffic Jam.

I'm pretty sure you have heard this great song before. Traffic Jam is a classic and it often gets used for performances and competitions. If you don't own it, buy it.

Title: Traffic Jam
Artist: Artie Shaw
Recorded: June 12, 1939
Tempo: 272 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

What do you think about Traffic Jam? 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.

Balboa

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

Jeep Jockey Jump

Related Songs:

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

Cherokee

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #123: Russian Rag

Russian Rag

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #121: New Orleans Twist

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #119: Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam

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