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| The George Gee Swing Orchestra takes a Swing at Kickstarter As New York City bandleader George Gee says, "Swing Makes You Happy" and that's the title of the George Gee Swing Orchestra's Kickstarter campaign to fund a double CD of new music. The campaign runs through December 12th on Kickstarter.com. When their goal is reached the recording process begins in New York and continues until the final CD is ready in May of 2014. Says Gee "The GGSO is making this CD to honor the swingin' BIG BAND sound and its creators, as well as give voice to modern, yet eminently danceable compositions featuring the arrangements and original writing by the band's highly-regarded Music Director and Trombonist David Gibson." The band aims to record their new music and continue the tradition of swingin' big bands. "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that SWING." So said Duke Ellington, one of America's greatest composers, in 1932. That "SWING" is both a groove and a spirit that is felt deeply by Gee's musicians and audiences alike. "George Gee is no doubt the torchbearer of the Big Band tradition for future generations" said NEA Jazzmaster and Count Basie arranger Frank Foster. Gee credits legendary bandleader, Count Basie, with the inspiration for his decision to start his own band and the spirit of Basie remains the foundation of the group. As a composer/arranger, Gibson counts Foster among his primary influences, which also include, Thad Jones, Gil Evans and Slide Hampton. According to Gibson "This is an extremely swinging band full of great jazz improvisers. They understand and love the essence of swing, but also bring a wide variety of stylistic approaches." The band's resumes include Billie Holliday, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Benny Goodman and many others. The group can be found every Tuesday night at SWING46 Jazz & Supper Club in New York City, where one can witness what swing looks like in the movement of the dancers crowding the floor. The late Frankie Manning, an original Savoy dancer and main force behind the 1990s resurgence of Lindy Hop, said the George Gee Swing Orchestra is "…the swingin'est band in the LAND!" Pledges for Swing Makes You Happy! on Kickstarter.com will fund The George Gee Swing Orchestra's double CD of swingin' Big Band music, highlighting original compositions and arrangements by the band's music director, David Gibson. Help the band preserve their contributions to swing history by making your pledge before December 12th to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/georgegee/swing-makes-you-happy. For more than three decades, the George Gee Swing Orchestra has been doing their part to keep fingers snappin' and toes tappin' with its happy music for happy people. write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |