The 950 Local/Express
At the start of 2019 I put together a swing band called The 950 Local. This is an 8-piece band that plays music specifically for swing dancers and Lindy Hoppers. We have played at The Mustang Bar and the Duke of George and a few other venues around Perth. This band has also expanded to The 950 Express which is a 15-piece big band version of the smaller band.
You can follow these bands on Instagram at @the9fifty.
The 950 Express has been playing a monthly residence (the last Thursday of the month) at a new venue in Fremantle called Freo.Social. This night, called Freo.Speakeasy, is a night dedicated to learning swing dancing and dancing along to the swinging repertoire of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford and Benny Goodman. We will be back starting January 23.
We finished our year at the Quarry Amphitheatre playing our 11th year of Jazz on the Rocks. Here is the great swinging tune Deed I Do from Ella & Basie featuring Lucy Iffla on vocals.