Friday night main dance:
the harrison jazz ensemble
Jump with the Roger Harrison Quartet Friday night!
Roger Harrison started piano lessons at age nine as a compromise to get out of tap dancing lessons, which he had no aptitude for. Those lessons continued and soon Roger had his first paid gig as the pianist for a small church. From there, Roger continued studying music well into college, learning to improvise and play jazz. The discovery of the Great American Songbook opened Roger's world to jazz standards across time, and soon the Roger Harrison Jazz Ensemble was born. Roger has loved diving into jazz music and the beautiful culture that accompanies it like Lindy Hopping!
Roger Harrison started piano lessons at age nine as a compromise to get out of tap dancing lessons, which he had no aptitude for. Those lessons continued and soon Roger had his first paid gig as the pianist for a small church. From there, Roger continued studying music well into college, learning to improvise and play jazz. The discovery of the Great American Songbook opened Roger's world to jazz standards across time, and soon the Roger Harrison Jazz Ensemble was born. Roger has loved diving into jazz music and the beautiful culture that accompanies it like Lindy Hopping!
saturday night main dance:
steamin' jazz band
Get those toes tappin' with the Steamin' Jazz Band!
Steamin' Jazz is a collective of jazz musicians from the central Florida area specializing in straight ahead swing music. Our musicians also specialize in Afro-Cuban styles, Brazilian, Cool Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Motown, R&B, Soul, and Funk. Steamin' Jazz is seen regularly performing in downtown Winter Haven as well as at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Steamin' Jazz performs all of your jazz favorites with a hard swing and ripping solos!
Steamin' Jazz is a collective of jazz musicians from the central Florida area specializing in straight ahead swing music. Our musicians also specialize in Afro-Cuban styles, Brazilian, Cool Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Motown, R&B, Soul, and Funk. Steamin' Jazz is seen regularly performing in downtown Winter Haven as well as at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Steamin' Jazz performs all of your jazz favorites with a hard swing and ripping solos!
DJs:
Kalz Daniel
We are happy to welcome Kalz Daniel to SSO VII!
"I’m a swing dancer and I’ve been moving and grooving it for the last five years. I mostly play the jazz standards we all know and love - with a dash of R&B. So if you like Lionel Hampton, Bennie Goodman and Duke Ellington (among others) then you gon' have a good time!"
Kalz will be spinning us a full hour set at the Late Night dance!
"I’m a swing dancer and I’ve been moving and grooving it for the last five years. I mostly play the jazz standards we all know and love - with a dash of R&B. So if you like Lionel Hampton, Bennie Goodman and Duke Ellington (among others) then you gon' have a good time!"
Kalz will be spinning us a full hour set at the Late Night dance!
Clare Vinnedge
Clare has been dancing for 5 years now, but her love for jazz and grooving have been with her for way longer. She played trombone for her jazz ensemble, enjoying its big and brassy tone. She loves sharing amazing music with amazing people, and has been doing so at various events in her home town and her sister scene in St. Pete! Whether it’s the new guard of Michael Gamble & His Rhythm Serenaders or the swinging syncopation of Ella Fitzgerald, Clare will find a way to keep a room full and the party stomping.
alex morrison
Alex works tirelessly to inspire a love of jazz and its history through his sets. He began DJing in 2014 when he realized his local scene needed far more clarinet solos. He loves introducing people to eclectic covers of old favorites and encouraging them to actively engage with the music in their dancing. When not traveling, he can be found helping run his home scene of Swing L.A.B. in Pensacola, Florida.
dominic howarth
Dominic likes saxophones, groovin' out, and long walks on dance floors. When he DJs, you know it'll be smooth sailing, from sumptuous organ solos to rip-rockin' rhythm and blues, he enjoys shout choruses that actually make you want to shout, and listening to his audience as much as he listens to the music, to make sure everyone is enjoying the party and swinging out. And yes, this picture is his face almost all the time.
james c. jordan
James Jordan has been swing dancing in Gainesville, FL. with the Florida Swing Dancing Club since September 21st, 2012. Since starting James has had the opportunity to travel to many workshops and exchanges all across the Southeastern United States. Only about a month into dancing, James decided to start DJ-ing with the Florida Swing Dancing Club. Over the past few years James has built-up a collection of jazz music which range from traditional jazz, rockabilly, Gipsy/French jazz to even a few of those big band popular hits. James gets pure joy out of seeing people dance to his music.
emily westmark
Emily found a love for Lindy Hop in 2018 when she became a regular at the FSU Swing Dance Club. Since then, she’s studied up on music from the Big Band Era and learned how to read a dance floor to provide dynamic, exciting sets! Her goal is always to foster a love of Lindy Hop by selecting songs that encourage musicality and partnership for dancers and jazz lovers.