Shuffle Projects

Swinging Projects for Lindy Hop & Balboa Dancers

Ted Wilson

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #93: Moonglow

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I'm a big admirer of Benny Goodman's small group recordings from 1935 to 1939. He recorded with different group sizes and what I like is the relaxness in the songs, there is so much joy of play hearable.

The sound is full and often, you get the feeling, there were many more musicians involved than actually were.

Most of the recordings were done as a quartet, with Gene Krupa on drums, Teddy Wilson on piano and Lionel Hampton on vibes.

Please note, that two of the musicians (Wilson and Hampton) were black. It was quite uncommon at that time to have mixed orchestras. In fact, Benny Goodman was hesitating for a long time to perform with black musicians on stage because of race discrimination.

Moonglow (or Moon Glow) was recorded by the quartet in 1936 and there are two existing takes. Take two is a tad faster than take one and is our song of the week. The same tune was a number one hit two years before, recorded by Goodman's freshly organized permanent performance orchestra.

Moonglow is a quite slow Lindy Hop tune, which suits perfectly to the winter season we have right now in Europe. Imagine, it's cold outside and you are attending an afternoon swing event. You drink some hot tea, eat a piece of cake and dance to this song.

I recommend “The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings” for every swing dancer and music lover, it's one of the best compilations I've ever bought. The remastering is softly and respectfully done without damaging the original sound feeling.


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #93: "Moonglow" (Take 2) by Benny Goodman QuartetTitle: Moonglow (Take 2)
Artist: Benny Goodman Quartet
Recorded: 1936
Album: The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings
Tempo: 114 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to prelisten and/or buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes CH/EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de — Amazon.com


What do you think about Benny Goodman's small group recordings? Let us know 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.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #77: A Viper’s Moan

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Willie Bryant (30.08.1908-09.02.1964), born in New Orleans, grew up in Chicago where he tried to learn trumpet, with little success. In 1926 he made his first steps in show business as a dancer in the Whitman Sister's Show.

For several years, he performed in vaudeville and in 1934 he appeared as a singer with Bessie Smith in the show Chocolate Revue.

In late 1934, Willie Bryant formed his big band and from 1935-1938, they had six recording sessions. Among his sidemen were at times: Ted Wilson (piano), Cozy Cole (drums), Johnny Russell (tenor sax), Benny Carter (trumpet), Ben Webster (tenor sax), Eddie Durham (trombone, arrangements), Ram Ramirez (piano) and Taft Jordan (trumpet, vocals). Bryant sang on 18 of the 26 recorded sides.

After breaking up the big band, Bryant became an actor, MC and DJ.

In 1945 he recorded as R&B singer, from 1946-1948 he led another big band and recorded two numbers. In 1949 he hosted an all-black television variety show and in the 1950's be was best known as regular MC at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

A Viper's Moan

A Viper's Moan was written by Willie Bryant and is a laid-back tune. The rhythm section with piano, guitar and drums (with percussion elements) is solid swinging while the horn section almost is whimpering (or moaning, as the title says).

Some of the solos are played in a typical call and response concept. Bryant himself is talking – not singing – throughout the song, and one time he is also introducing the soloists.

For the non-native English speakers: A viper is in American English another word for marijuana smoker… I guess, the song's title and sound picture makes sense now 🙂

A great song for Lindy Hop dancers and for Balboa beginner classes. I love it!


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #77: A Viper's Moan by Willie BryantTitle: A Viper's Moan
Artist: Willie Bryant
Recorded: January 4, 1935
Album: The Complete Jazz Series 1935-1937
Tempo: 150 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa



Click the link to downoad the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon.de ･ A'zon.com ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001MT2NXK” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ eMusic


Do you like this song? Do you like the series? Please leave a comment!

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


If you are interested in swing DJ’ing or just in regular music tips
then sign up for the brandnew DJ Chrisbe's resources emails!

Related Posts & Songs:

Launch Of DJ Chrisbe’s Swing DJ Resources Email List
Song of the Week #76: “Wabash Stomp” by Roy Eldridge
Song of the Week #75: “Blue Lester” by Lester Young
Song of the Week #74: “Black Coffee” by Careless Lovers
Song of the Week #73: “Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai” by Andy Iona & His Islanders

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #40: Piano Stomp (Shine)

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Frenchie Balboa Festival (FBF) is over! Another great Balboa weekend with great dances and great music.

If you would like to improve your speed in Balboa dancing and especially shuffling, here is my song of the week which will be a challenge for sure.

This is one of the fastest song I've ever danced to: A breathtaking version of Shine with 300 bpm!!

Lionel Leo Hampton (20.04.1908-31.08.2002) was one of the swing giants, he was the first jazz vibraphonist, but also pianist, percussionist, band leader and actor.

1936 he was discovered by Benny Goodman, shortly afterwards he played and recorded with Goodman, Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa as the Benny Goodman Quartett. Six weeks after he officially joined Benny Goodman.

In 1937, he started recording regularly as a leader for Victor with specially assembled all-star groups that formed a who's who of swing.

Source: allmusic.com

Lionel Hampton Piano Stomp (Shine)

Title: Piano Stomp (Shine)
Artist: Lionel Hampton
Recorded: 1937
Tempo: 300 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

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