If you are a Balboa dancer, then this tune is familiar to you. Maybe you don't be aware of the title or the artist but I'm sure you have heard it countless times on the dance floor.
It's “Swingin' In The Promised Land” by Edgar Hayes & His Orchestra.
Edgar Hayes
Edgar Junius Hayes (May 23, 1904 – June 28, 1979) was an African-American pianist, arranger and bandleader. He never became a major name but he worked steadily throughout his long career.
Hayes graduated with a music degree from Wilberforce University.
From 1931, he played and arranged for six years for the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, which was taken over by Lucky Millinder in the meantime.
During 1937-1941, Hayes led his own orchestra including sidemen such as Kenny Clarke among others. In the spring of1938, they toured through several countries of Europe and Asia.
An interesting fact is, that Hayes' band was the first to record Joe Garland's composition “In The Mood” on February 17, 1938 for Decca. This tune became a swing classic, when Glenn Miller recorded it more than a year later.
In the same session, Hayes recorded their most popular title “Stardust” which became a surprise hit.
He disbanded the orchestra and moved to California in 1942, where he formed a quartet called his “Stardusters” and played throughout the 1940s, then he performed mostly solo into the 1970s.
Swingin' In The Promised Land
Because of the tempo, it's also often used for Balboa competitions.
[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B001VJYIES” locale=”de” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512AjY3VsUL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B001VJYIES” locale=”de”]Swingin' In The Promised Land[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Edgar Hayes & His Orchestra
Recorded: November 14, 1938
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B001VK5MMO” locale=”de”]Complete Jazz Series 1937 – 1938[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 233 bpm
Dance: Balboa
Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ･iTunes US･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001VJYIES” locale=”de”]Amazon DE[/easyazon-link] ･Amazon US･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001VDS0C0″ locale=”uk”]Amazon UK[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic
What do you think about this song? 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.
Related Songs:
Song of the Week #143: “Splanky” by George Gee Swing Orchestra
Song of the Week #142: “Zormpas' Story” by The Speakeasies' Swing Band!
Song of the Week #141: “Summit Ridge Drive” by Billy Jack Wills & His Western Swing Band
Song of the Week #140: “Port Of Rico” by Illinois Jacquet
Song of the Week #139: “Blues Skies” by Cyril Blake
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