The Episode Where the Koreans Bring It

March 28, 2011 at 10:20 am (Dance, Lindy Hop, Video Highlights)

I was going to post this right quick on the Facebook Page for Wandering & Pondering, but then I realized that I had more to say than a quick blurb.

This is the final for the Strictly Lindy Hop competition at the Korean Lindy Hop Championships during Camp Swing It. The 2nd couple here just kills it with the sequence starting at 2:40 that brings the judges to their feet. Read the rest of this entry »

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Behind The Dance: Frida & Skye at ALHC 2005

March 8, 2011 at 12:19 am (Dance, Lindy Hop, Video Highlights)

John White over at Black Belt Lindy just posted the second part of an analysis of Frida Segerdahl & Skye Humphries’ 1st place performance from the Classic Division of the 2005 American Lindy Hop Championships. This reminded me of a comment I tried posting to another blog talking about the same clip, but for some reason never got through. (I just checked and the whole blog is gone now)

I thought I’d dust it off, shine it up real nice, and post it if only because it still kinda amazes me how much people obsess over this particular performance. I mean, it’s good, but it really wasn’t meant to be much of anything.

The first thing that strikes most people is how much this looks like a social dance. That’s because it is. At least half of it. Let me back up a bit. Read the rest of this entry »

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Rhythm Method

March 4, 2011 at 12:12 am (balboa, Dance, Lindy Hop, Music Review, Video Highlights)

I still don’t have a whole lot of time to devote to a long form blog post that I’ve been thinking about.  I have been updating the Facebook page on a daily basis, even multiple times a day. Its just an easier and quicker way for me to share random things I come across or that people send to me.

However, I don’t want to neglect the blog so I thought I’d keep with the drumming theme from last week and spotlight my favorite swing drummers of today. I’ve been telling myself that this would make for a great analysis of jazz drumming, but that will have to wait for another day when I have more time.

I’ll start off with Brooks Tegler, who The Jam Cellar just happens to be bringing to Glen Echo this weekend. Fancy that. I uploaded a few videos of him leading his big band the last time he played for us, but I wanted to spotlight him with a small group simply to go with the other videos I’m posting.  I found this great video of him and the Midiri Brothers re-creating a Benny Goodman Quartet version of the blazing “Runnin’ Wild.”  The video quality is a little blurry, but that won’t stop you from hearing Tegler swinging it so hard that he’s unfazed by losing his hi-hat midway through. It’s also interesting to note that the MC points out that Tegler is playing on a vintage drum kit from the 1930’s.

Next up is my perennial favorite band, The Boilermaker Jazz Band featuring Rich Strong on drums. I took this video myself when they played Glen Echo last October.  They’re here performing a hot version of “Lady, Be Good.” Read the rest of this entry »

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