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| Black Swan Classic Jazz Band |
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Print Profile |
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| Dixieland, Ragtime, Early Jazz Styles, Old-Time Gospel |
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Black Swan is a fun, artistic group that was established in early 1989 as a hot dance band that specializes in the performance and preservation of Dixieland, early jazz styles, ragtime and old-time gospel music. The band loves the hot jazz music of the 1920's and features the sizzling talents of vocalist Marilyn Keller. The ensemble also sports top-notch trumpet, clarinet, trombone, tuba, piano, banjo and drum instrumentalists.
They have performed at numerous festivals and community events in Oregon, Montana, Arizona, Washington, Missouri, Iowa, California and British Columbia. They have performed for small intimate gatherings, in large halls and festival stages, and work hard at keeping the dance floor full, "cutting a rug".
Black Swan delights in entertaining as well as educating its audiences with authentic renditions of the music of noteworthy early jazz figures such as Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller, Turk Murphy, Eubie blake, Scott Joplin and others.
They perform entire shows which feature the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller, Ragtime, or Old-time Gospel.
The main players include vocalist, Marilyn Keller, John Bennett on piano, Ernie Carbajal on trumpet, Ron Leach on drums, Steve Matthes on clarinet, Lew Chapman, trombone, and leader and tuba player, Kit Johnson.
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HOAGY CARMICHAEL SHOW
In the beginning episode of Ken Burns' jazz series, viewers were mesmerized by the incredible performance of the young Louis Armstrong playing a very familiar tune? Hoagy Carmichael's Star Dust. It is not surprising that Ken Burns selected this segment to begin his monumental jazz series, for it is not only one of Louis Armstrong's finest performances on film, but the song Star Dust is perhaps the most well known and beloved in all American popular music. Hoagy Carmichael has left us a rich legacy of songs that have become standards for performers of jazz and popular music all over the world.
In honor of Hoagy Carmichael's (1899-1981) centennial, The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band put together a collection of wonderful Hoagy Carmichael tunes with commentary about Hoagy's career in a Hoagy Carmichael Tribute. Besides the well known standards Star Dust, Georgia on My Mind, and Up The Lazy River, this special set includes rarely heard gems such as Boneyard Shuffle (an early Hoagy tune from 1926), New Orleans (1927) and Manhattan Rag (1929- Hoagy's only ragtime composition).
Hoagy wrote many of his own lyrics and also collaborated with many of the finest lyricists of his day (Johnny Mercer, Mitchell Parish, Ned Washington, Frank Loesser). Our own Marilyn Keller gives her special vocal treatment to several great Hoagy tunes such as Small Fry, Rockin' Chair, The Nearness of You, Washboard Blues, Serenade to Gabriel, the oh so familiar Heart and Soul, the uplifting Jubilee, and the rollicking Old Man Harlem. The humorous Lazybones and western flavored Ole Buttermilk Sky get colorful treatment as well. Each of the tunes is presented in a special Black Swan arrangement providing a varied and interesting program, which showcase the members of the band in settings ranging from beautiful ballads, to the hilarious (Hoagy's arrangement of Barnacle Bill the Sailor), to high energy show-stoppers. Of course no Hoagy Carmichael set would be complete without his first published song Riverboat Shuffle (1924 - originally called Free Wheeling) written for his good friend Bix Beiderbecke and the Wolverine Orchestra.
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FATS WALLER SHOW
Black Swan Classic Jazz Band presents COOKIN' WITH FATS, a special concert (also available on CD) featuring the music of the great FATS WALLER.
Are Your Feet's Too Big? Feelin' Black and Blue? Is your event Lookin' Good But Feelin' Bad? Is life just generally Fat and Greasy?
You'll be Keepin' Out of Mischief Now with the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band and a special program featuring the music of FATS WALLER.
Favorites like Ain't Misbehavin', Honeysuckle Rose and Jitterbug Waltz are effectively mixed with rarely heard Waller gems such as Cash for Your Trash and songs by other composers made popular by FATS.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What was the first published song by Fats Waller?
ANSWER: Squeeze Me... written when Fats was only 15 years old!
All of the tunes in COOKIN' WITH FATS have been specially arranged by the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band to provide a program of HUMOR, HOT JAZZ, BALLADS, NOVELTY TUNES, VARIETY and GREAT MUSIC!!
Fats was the 'master' jazz pianist of his day, and the Black Swan's own 'master', John Bennett, captures the Waller wizardry in a number of piano features. Vocalists Marilyn Keller, John Bennett and Steve Matthes (clarinet) bring out the CHARM, SLY WIT, and DOUBLE ENTENDRES of the clever Waller vocals. The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band ensemble led by trumpeter Ernie Carbajal and driven by drummer Ron Leach SWING like the best of Fats' jazz groups. Coupled with leader Kit Johnson's (tuba) announcing and commentary on the life and music of Fats Waller, COOKIN' WITH FATS provides a great evening (or afternoon) of EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT and HOT JAZZ!
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RAGTIME SHOW
RAGTIME, CAKEWALKS, MARCH TWO-STEPS and similar favorites from the late 1800s through 1915 are the featured selections in Black Swan Classic Jazz Band's RAGTIME SHOW.
John Bennett has long been recognized as one of the premiere Pacific Northwest rag time pianists and often performs for YOUNG AUDIENCE concerts and other occasions. His talents take center stage throughout the show as a soloist and as the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the full ensemble.
With over three hours of arrangements by John, Kit Johnson (tuba) and Steve Matthes (clarinet), the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band has ample music for feature sets at a Dixieland festival or a full night's concert. You will enjoy music by SCOTT JOPLIN, TED SNYDER, JOSEPH LAMB, ROBERT HAMPTON, JELLY ROLL MORTON, GEORGE GERSHWIN, WILLIAM KRELL, TURK MURPHY, WILLIAM BOLCOM, CHARLES JOHNSON, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER O'HARE and others.
Ragtime favorites such as Maple Leaf Rag, Ragtime Dance , Frog-i-more Rag and Eccentric Rag are intermixed with rare gems like Levee Revels, St. Louis Tickle, Ragtime Nightmare, Chevy Chase, Junk Man Rag, Old Virginny Barbeque and more. You will hear the first published ragtime tune (Mississippi Rag ) as well as rags written in the 1970s (Old Adam). Many of these time proven classics were recorded in 2003 on Black Swan's CD, Ragtime Revelry.
Plenty of informational tidbits are provided along the way to satisfy historians and casual listeners alike. This is a WONDERFUL way to round out the program for your next event!
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GOSPEL SHOW
The Black Swan Classic Jazz Band now offers a program of gospel music that Dixieland fans and members of your church congregation can enjoy. Kit Johnson works closely with local clergy to provide a show that is entertaining and appropriate for your group and venue.
Our gospel show is designed to be all-inclusive, with appropriate remarks by Marilyn, a preacher's daughter who lives the spirit. We can also work in conjunction with a service provided by your chosen spiritual leader.
You'll hear favorites like In the Sweet By and By, Fifty Miles of Elbow Room and others. Sing along on classics like When the Saints Go Marching In, Battle Hymn of the Republic or Down by the Riverside. Enjoy medleys of tunes like Deep River, Roll Jordan Roll, Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, and Wayfaring Stranger. Listen to more recent popular hits such as Get Happy or This Train. You can even enjoy ragtime selections, including William Bolcom's Old Adam and Joplin's Solace. Or just set back and listen to Marilyn's rich contralto on Amazing Grace or Precious Lord.
Our unique arrangements include vocal features by Marilyn Keller, a vocalist with a rich tradition in gospel music. You'll also hear entertaining medleys and, as always, hot jazz! Ernie Carbajal leads the way on trumpet, reminding us of Gabriel and his horn. Steve Matthes' old-time revival tunes, and John Bennett's and Kit Johnson's medleys round out the show. "Amen", says brother Ron.
Let our experienced Dixieland artists provide religious worship, great fun and family entertainment for your next gospel program.
Note from brother Lew: "Gospel shows are just as effective in the afternoon and evening...don't feel compelled to start at 8am..., please!"
Many of these selections have been included on Black Swan's two multi-denominational gospel recordings: Feel the Spirit (2007) and A Joyful Noise (2000).
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Also see MARILYN KELLER
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, Northwest Artist Management, All Rights Reserved
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