Weekend Schedule || Classes || Competitions || Evening Events HAL’S DEVILS HAL SMITH (drums, leader) As a teenager, Hal heard drum legends such as Ben Pollack and Nick Fatool in person. Over the years, Hal has mastered the art of vintage jazz drumming. He took lessons from Jake Hanna and learned from listening to recordings of Big Sid Catlett, Jo Jones, Dave Tough, Zutty Singleton, Ray Bauduc and others. He has played with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, Banu Gibson and New Orleans Hot Jazz, Dukes of Dixieland, Soprano Summit, Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band and dozens of traditional jazz groups, including the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Climax Jazz Band, Silver Leaf Jazz Band, South Frisco Jazz Band, Gremoli and the Boilermaker Jazz Band. As an all-star, Hal has performed with—among others—Maxine Sullivan, Bud Freeman, Scott Hamilton, Dave McKenna, Doc Cheatham and Art Hodes. As a bandleader, Hal’s groups have played a variety of styles, from New Orleans to swing. His best-known combo was the Roadrunners, featuring clarinetist Bobby Gordon and vocalist Rebecca Kilgore. Currently, Hal leads a popular band that includes Anita Thomas, Carl Sonny Leyland, Katie Cavera and Mike Earls—“Hal’s Angels.” (This band name inspired Albert Alva to suggest a "mirror image" name for the trio: "Hal’s Devils"). Hal also works with the Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, the Butch Thompson Trio, Blue Largo Blues Band, Bob Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band, the Campus Five and various swing combinations throughout Southern California. He has made over 160 recordin" "Club Date"). He is the assistant director of America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society in San Diego and teaches drums at the annual AFCDJS Adult Jazz Camp in January. In addition, Hal is a contributing writer for Mississippi Rag, American Rag, the Jazz Rambler, Just Jazz (U.K.) and the Bulletin of the Hot Club of France. CHRIS DAWSON (piano) Chris graduated from the jazz department of the University of Southern California in 1990 with an advanced studies certificate. At USC he was tutored by Cedar Walton and since graduating he has studied with Jimmy Rowles, Alan Broadbent and others. Chris began playing piano at the age of seven. Chris was originally interested in ragtime, but later concentrated on Harlem stride and the music of Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum and modern pianists such as Bill Evans and Bud Powell. In the late '90s, Chris temporarily relocated to New York City, where he performed at Birdland and other prestigious venues. Since returning to Los Angeles, he maintains a busy schedule as soloist, vocal accompanist and bandleader, plus teaching piano. Chris appears on recordings by Rebecca Kilgore, Ruth Cameron, Marty Grosz, Evan Christopher, Charlie Haden, Hal Smith, Bobby Gordon and Renee Olstead, plus a superb session, &qIntroducing Christopher Dawson," with bass and drums. Hal Smith describes Chris as "a world-class vocal accompanist" and notes that Chris’ deft, swinging touch on the keyboard is "a constant inspiration to all." ALBERT ALVA (reeds) Albert is a favorite on the Swing Dance scene, largely as a result of his virtuoso sax solos on numbers like "Flyin’ Home." Albert is actually one of the most versatile musicians in Southern California, whose resumé includes work with Rosemary Clooney, Alvino Rey, Ben Vereen, Leslie Uggams, Jerry Lewis, Michael Feinstein, Ann Hampton Calloway, Ken Peplowski, and most recently with the Jivin' Lindy Hoppers from England. He has also accompanied Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Barbara Morrison, Diane Schuur, Mavis Rivers, Louie Bellson, Jack Jones, and the Captain & Tennile. Albert has recorded CDs with Toni Tennile, Matt Catingub, Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack, and he appears on Rosemary Clooney's very last two recordings (both of which were nominated for Grammys). He can also be heard on the first two CDs of Los Angeles-based Campus Five, as well as the first jazz CD by vocalist Renee Olstead. He served as musical director of the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. And for 10 years he has served as librarian, copyist and arranger for jazz drummer Louis Bellson. After Hours dancing until 4am! All Star line-up of DJ's featuring our Competition DJ Reuben Brown Specializing in 1930's Jazz, the music of Harlem, and an all around Duke Ellington fanatic, Reuben has been DJing Swing and Jazz music of ALL eras across the country for over 6 years, and dancing to it for over 8. His primary inspiration, both in music and in dance, comes from the original bands and dancers of the Savoy Ballroom. His love of Lindy Hop also carries over into involvement with organizations that work to promote and preserve the dance and the music from which it was born. Thus, he is proud to be a part of the following organizations: Hollywood Jitterbugs, Mad Dog, and The California Historical Jazz Dance Foundation. He's also been the head DJ annually at The Binge, California Balboa-Swing Championships, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown since these events began. After Hours dancing until 4am! Awards Ceremony THE MEZZONIANS The Mezzonians Come enjoy the djangoesque sounds of the Mezzonians! Back in the 1930’s and 1940’s, a Belgian born gypsy guitarist by the name of Django Reinhardt developed his own style of swing music, fusing elements of American jazz with indigenous French and gypsy styles. What has come to be called "gypsy jazz" is still considered Europe’s greatest contribution to jazz, and has emerged in recent years where Gypsy Jazz Festivals worldwide pay homage to Django and the style he created. The Mezzonians consist of four talented and versatile musicians who have come together to reproduce this lively and entertaining style of jazz. They have sought to recreate the original instrumentation and sound of Django’s famous Quintet of the Hot Club of Paris with the incorporation of Selmer-style guitars (Adam Payne and George Moynier) bass (Dave DeForest) and violin (Tyler Emerson). The Mezzonians’ repertoire includes many selections taken directly from the Reinhardt library, but they also include songs from the modern greats of gypsy jazz such as Stochelo Rosenberg, Dorado Schmitt, and Angelo Debarre. Website Design: © 2005  DeAmicis Design