It's a Swingin' Christmas after all!

Brian Setzer Orchestra on stage @ the Count Basie

Vince and I love the Big Band music of the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's and we love to dance to Swing music.

It probably goes back to both of our parents. Growing up in Kansas City (Vince) and New Jersey (me), we both lived with parents who were big fans of Big Bands and they played their 78's on their stereos all the time. I guess it just got under our skins. Even though rock 'n roll ruled our musical worlds, Vince and I shared a soft spot for the music of the Big Band eras.  

 

dancing a wedding jitter bug with my Dad

We even had a jazz quintet and swing music at our wedding reception. Our first dance? I Only Have Eyes for You. The Sinatra / Count Basie arrangement of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

We thought we would have to put off any kind of live concert of Big Band Music while we were living in South Africa. Then my Bookworms Book Club friend Mary posted a notice on our group Facebook page about A Swingin' Christmas concert coming up at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City here in Joburg. 

Swingin'? Christmas? We're in, Daddy-O!

Wore a BSO tee shirt @ the Count Basie in 2012

Over the last few Christmases whenever The Brian Setzer Orchestra (BSO) came to town with their Christmas Extravaganza, we were there! Brian, a former Stray Cats rockabilly guitar phenom, and his rockabilly / swing fusion take on Christmas music was not to be missed! We saw the BSO whenever he appeared at the Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall in NYC and last year we saw them at The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. They blew the roof off the place. Somewhere up there the Count was smiling.

  

 

and we wore them @ the Lyric Theatre too!

Like the BSO, Johannesburg's Swingin' Christmas featured a full 17-piece big band. Directed by Adam Howard, the Johannesburg Big Band was formed in 2011 and they were excellent. They even had a rockabilly guitarist for the night named Martin Rocka who played a credible Jingle Bell Rock!

Let it Snow, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, All I Want for Christmas is You ... These songs are just sooooo nostalgic. It is tough not to get a little teary-eyed when they bring you back to Christmases of old.   

Especially I'll Be Home for Christmas. It never fails to tug on our heartstrings. Vince's Dad, who served as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II, never could listen to that song. And last night, one of the vocalists dressed as an American GI sat at a cafe table on stage while the band played it joining them for " ... if only in my dreams." Brutal! Especially this year, with our son Nick now a United States Marine himself and particularly when we won't be home with family and friends for Christmas.

revelers

I admit, my eyes did well up once during the band's rendition of The Christmas Song. The lead vocalist introduced the song with stories of his Christmas memories growing up in New York before singing "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ..." with the band. Behind them, scenes of New York at Christmas. Those are my memories too! I had to remind myself of the absolutely awesome plans we have for this Christmas when our son Alex comes to South Africa for the holidays. 

It'll be swingin'!