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GEORGE GEE CONTINUES HIS 50th BIRTHDAY / 30th ANNIVERSARY CELBRATION 2010

In addition to their weekly Tuesday night dance party with the 10 pc. Swing Orchestra at NYC’s SWING46 Jazz & Supper Club, the 17pc. Big Band will start a weekly Monday night event in the heart of Harlem. Beginning on May 24th, Gospel Uptown will host “Uptown Swing” – with a presentation of swingin’ music from Savoy Ballroom icons in the style of Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb and more! Gospel Uptown is located at 2110 Seventh Avenue (@125th Street) and music from 8pm to 11pm – with plenty of room for listening and dancing!

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, June 29th at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, The George Gee Swing Orchestra (featuring vocalist Hilary Gardner and John Dokes) will be thrown into the ring along with The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra on the Opening Night “Battle of the Big Bands!” This will be rematch a decade in the making, bringing together two friendly rivals in the modern swing era for the ultimate rematch! Bill and George have already had BOTBB competitions on their respective home turfs (LA & NYC) in the late 90’s, will this be the deciding factor?

A reminder that George Gee and his 10pc. Jump, Jivin’ Wailers, featuring vocalist John Dokes, continues their weekly Tuesday evening Swing Dance Party at SWING46. Still going strong after 12 swingin’ years, George and the band plays from 830pm-1130pm, with a complimentary basic swing dance Evita Arce from Dance Manhattan Studios after the first set (approximately 915pm) and still a reasonable $12 music charge.

Thanks for stopping by GeorgeGee.com and visiting our own little world of swing and jazz. 2007 marks our venture into the 27th year of existence for The George Gee Orchestra and happy to report that we’re still swingin’ steady! The world could always use a happy message and we’re happy to oblige with The Gospel of Swing. Swing is happy music and best played by happy people – our simple philosophy.

Fuel by the recent resurgence of interest in Big Band Swing and Lindy Hop and the mass addition of new swing jazz music lovers, George Gee has taken advantage of the climate by presenting a fun and high energy showcase of the Big Band style and ideology. The 10 piece Jump, Jivin’ Wailers (formerly The Jump, Jive and Wailers) was created in 1999 by Musical Director/Trumpeter/Vocalist Walt Szymanski and bandleader George as a way to economically perform and tour with a smaller ensemble with a “Big Band” sound. Walt wrote custom-tailored musical arrangements that still took advantage of the original orchestrations and retained the full, classic and swingin’ sound.

“If Dreams Come True” features dancefloor-proven, classic Savoy Ballroom favorites and the arrangements of Mr. Szymanski – recorded in modern Hi-Fidelity. Classic big band swing jazz, meant for both listenin’ and dancin’, with a nod toward the jump styles of some of George’s favorites: his musical idol and mentor – Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Fats Waller, Edgar Sampson and Jimmy Rushing. Special appearances by Grammy nominee vocalist Carla Cook, vocalist John Dokes and clarinetist Dan Block.

Our previous CD (with the full 17 piece Big Band) recording (with the full 17 piece Big Band), “Settin’ the Pace,” recorded with big band legend and NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster, is still enjoying regular airplay on jazz radio stations around the country and beyond. Considered for a Grammy nomination in 2004, the recording features Frank’s arrangements (under his direction) and once again, vocalist Carla Cook. Visit our record label, GJazz Records, for biographical, production and purchase information. The exciting news is that Frank and the big band are currently discussing another recording project of his music and this time to possibly feature such jazz luminaries Barbara Morrison, Clark Terry, Frank Wess, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Faddis and Jimmy Heath! Stay tuned…..

Please visit our Private Parties & Event Planning section to see how The George Gee Orchestra can be your full-service music service agency for all your special events. A quarter century of GREAT parties is a proud component of our reputation. We play Swing that Rocks and Rock that Swings!

There is no denying The George Gee Orchestra’s extensive roster of happy clients in the swing and jazz medium. Top NYC musicians who understand George’s concept and belief that music is also showbiz! In an ideal situation, we’d love to bring the full 17 piece big band to your dance/concert/festival/etc., but The 10 piece Jump, Jivin’ Wailers also has that full Big Band Jump sound and travels more conveniently. Check out our Resume section for a list of satisfied music lovers!

The George Gee Orchestra has had the pleasure to visit concert stages all across the USA with the Big Band and wacky lindyhop dance team. Recent themes include The Count Basie/Glenn Miller Centennial Celebration, Big Band Broadway, Stompin’ at the Savoy, Swingin’ Holidays and Frankly Yours (A Big Band Salute to Frank Sinatra). We are represented by Community Communications in the Arts Presenters community.

It has been nearly three decades since I first counted off the downbeat for my first big band and it has been quite a roller coaster ride ever since. Nobody told me it would ever be easy, in fact, mostly everybody informed me that a large swing orchestra would never be able to make a mark in the modern jazz world or something more unfathomable - being popular in a more "mainstream" category. Everybody, except for my musical idol and inspiration - Mr. William "Count" Basie. Our chance encounter backstage at The Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA in December of 1979 and our continued relationship into the 1980's reconfirmed my beliefs and love for the music. His words and support continue to echo in my mind everyday and especially when I step in front of my grand swing orchestra. And the more recent collaborations (rehearsals, performances and music arrangements) with former Basie sidemen and arrangers - Frank Foster and Benny Powell - just reaffirms the passing of the torch. Thanks, Mr. Basie.

To be able to bring our brand of music into ballrooms, swing clubs, parties, dance events, celebrations, festivals and concerts all over the country, into the Far East and lindyhop the Atlantic over to Europe - well, it's a true dream come true! See our photos as we jump 'n jived for packed dance floors during stops at numerous West Coast swing hot spots, deviations into the Pacific Northwest, southern points such as DC, VA, NC, SC and FL, more north into the New England States and, of course, all over our hometown of New York City! The past has been enlightening to the band and myself, but surely the future holds many more great surprises. Please check out some of the band's music or better yet, see one of our dynamic stage shows. And to keep the swing and jazz community one big happy family, please sign the guestbook and let us know what's on your mind. Thanks for swingin' by.....