Here are your musicians for DCLX 2023: Swing Your Heart Out!
Bands
The Craig Gildner Big Band
Craig Gildner, a dynamic band leader, male vocalist, guitarist and pianist — can never get enough of the music called swing. Craig, a musician blessed with perfect pitch, finds that the pulse of an upright bass, accompanied by the open hi-hat cymbal rhythms, syncopated saxophones and trumpets are what make him smile.
Keenan Mckenzie & the Riffers
Hailing from Durham, NC, Keenan McKenzie & the Riffers are a swing band specializing in original music and tight arrangements from the 1930s and ’40s. Featuring a 3-horn from line, the band’s signature sound was originally developed for Keenan’s debut album, Forged in Rhythm. Since then, the Riffers have played dance events across the US, including Lindy Focus, School of Hard Knox, I *Heart* Balboa, and Flying Home. For DCLX, the band will feature Laura Windley on vocals.
Taryn Newborne & the Real Deal
Born in Memphis and raised in Atlanta, vocalist Taryn Newborne is rooted deeply in the soil of a rich musical heritage. She has often said that she loves music so much, it hurts her feelings. Taryn has had guest appearances with The Glen Miller Orchestra, Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders, Paul Cosentino and the Boilermakers, Gordon Webster, and more.
Chelsea Reed & the Fair Weather Band
Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five are at home at swing dances, jazz clubs and concert halls alike. They have played renowned Philadelphia venues and travel the country year round to perform at music festivals and Lindy and Blues exchanges and workshops. When not composing, the band loves exploring the roots of jazz and finding creative ways to interpret forgotten songs. Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five draw upon the intensity of powerhouse vocalists, the ingenuity of 20th century composers, and the soul of the dance floor. They are silly, passionate people who love playing this music. And that’s all there is to it.
The Scott Silbert Big Band
DC legend Scott Silbert is a multiple woodwind player and arranger who leads his own big band right here in the National Capital Region. Scott’s first album as leader, Introducing the Scott Silbert Big Band: Jump Children, features some of the lesser performed big band works of the 1930’s and 40’s, and is now available on both CD as well as a complete digital download—you should check it out before coming to hear them play at DCLX 2023.
Mint Julep Jazz Band
With their little big band lineup of 4 horns, rhythm section, and vocalist, the Mint Julep Jazz Band recreates the hot jazz sounds of the 1920′s, 1930′s, and early 1940’s through arrangements based on original recordings from the jazz age and swing era and original tunes inspired by that time period. The Mint Julep Jazz Band is based out of Durham, North Carolina and is led by trombonist Lucian Cobb and vocalist/swing DJ Laura Windley, who have put their collective knowledge and love of swing music together to create an ideal dance band for swing dancers. Conceived in the fall of 2011, the Mint Julep Jazz Band formed to fulfill the musical needs of a thriving local swing dance community in the Triangle area of North Carolina, drawing its musicians from the educators and former students of North Carolina universities with vibrant jazz programs.
Jon Tigert’s Hangover Jam Band
We absolutely loved the jam band at DCLX 2022. Jon Tigert’s Hangover Jam Band is coming back for an afternoon dance! Jon Tigert is a beloved dancer, teacher, singer, drummer, band leader, emcee (and, if you’ve seen his Instagram profile, shameless self-promoter and space enthusiast who also likes cats). Last year’s jam band featured DCLX attendees as singers and musicians who kept us dancing under Jon’s engaging leadership. This year’s jam band might feature…you! More information is coming soon!
Gordon Webster & Friends
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
The Craig Gildner Big Band
Craig Gildner, a dynamic band leader, male vocalist, guitarist and pianist — can never get enough of the music called swing. Craig, a musician blessed with perfect pitch, finds that the pulse of an upright bass, accompanied by the open hi-hat cymbal rhythms, syncopated saxophones and trumpets are what make him smile.
Keenan Mckenzie & the Riffers
Hailing from Durham, NC, Keenan McKenzie & the Riffers are a swing band specializing in original music and tight arrangements from the 1930s and ’40s. Featuring a 3-horn from line, the band’s signature sound was originally developed for Keenan’s debut album, Forged in Rhythm. Since then, the Riffers have played dance events across the US, including Lindy Focus, School of Hard Knox, I *Heart* Balboa, and Flying Home. For DCLX, the band will feature Laura Windley on vocals.
Taryn Newborne & the Real Deal
Born in Memphis and raised in Atlanta, vocalist Taryn Newborne is rooted deeply in the soil of a rich musical heritage. She has often said that she loves music so much, it hurts her feelings. Taryn has had guest appearances with The Glen Miller Orchestra, Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders, Paul Cosentino and the Boilermakers, Gordon Webster, and more.
Chelsea Reed & the Fair Weather Band
Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five are at home at swing dances, jazz clubs and concert halls alike. They have played renowned Philadelphia venues and travel the country year round to perform at music festivals and Lindy and Blues exchanges and workshops. When not composing, the band loves exploring the roots of jazz and finding creative ways to interpret forgotten songs. Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five draw upon the intensity of powerhouse vocalists, the ingenuity of 20th century composers, and the soul of the dance floor. They are silly, passionate people who love playing this music. And that’s all there is to it.
The Scott Silbert Big Band
DC legend Scott Silbert is a multiple woodwind player and arranger who leads his own big band right here in the National Capital Region. Scott’s first album as leader, Introducing the Scott Silbert Big Band: Jump Children, features some of the lesser performed big band works of the 1930’s and 40’s, and is now available on both CD as well as a complete digital download—you should check it out before coming to hear them play at DCLX 2023.
Mint Julep Jazz Band
With their little big band lineup of 4 horns, rhythm section, and vocalist, the Mint Julep Jazz Band recreates the hot jazz sounds of the 1920′s, 1930′s, and early 1940’s through arrangements based on original recordings from the jazz age and swing era and original tunes inspired by that time period. The Mint Julep Jazz Band is based out of Durham, North Carolina and is led by trombonist Lucian Cobb and vocalist/swing DJ Laura Windley, who have put their collective knowledge and love of swing music together to create an ideal dance band for swing dancers. Conceived in the fall of 2011, the Mint Julep Jazz Band formed to fulfill the musical needs of a thriving local swing dance community in the Triangle area of North Carolina, drawing its musicians from the educators and former students of North Carolina universities with vibrant jazz programs.
Jon Tigert’s Hangover Jam Band
We absolutely loved the jam band at DCLX 2022. Jon Tigert’s Hangover Jam Band is coming back for an afternoon dance! Jon Tigert is a beloved dancer, teacher, singer, drummer, band leader, emcee (and, if you’ve seen his Instagram profile, shameless self-promoter and space enthusiast who also likes cats). Last year’s jam band featured DCLX attendees as singers and musicians who kept us dancing under Jon’s engaging leadership. This year’s jam band might feature…you! More information is coming soon!
Gordon Webster & Friends
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
DJs
DJs will be announced soon!