MUSIC
Gordon Webster Solo Piano
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
Solomon Douglas Trio
Solomon's bands (including the Solomon Douglas Trio) have played at countless exchanges, camps, workshops, and other events in North America, Asia, and Australia since 2000. His experience as a swing dancer and dance instructor gives him an understanding unique among musicians of the music that swing dancers and blues dancers like to dance to!
His influences as a pianist include Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris, Count Basie, and Thelonious Monk. His small groups (such as the Solomon Douglas Trio) play a mixture of musical styles including blues, old-school swing, and groovy mainstream swinging jazz with tinges of bop and soul-jazz.
The Solomon Douglas Trio played at Philly Lindy Love 2009, and his ten-piece Swingtet played at Philly Lindy Love 2008 and 2010. We're excited to bring him back again! http://solomondouglas.com
DJs
Dan Repsch
Dan is a Philadelphia native whose obsession with music has been life-long. He's taken to DJing because he loves shar-ing his music, inspiring other dancers, and guiding the energy of a dance. He's constantly challenging himself to bring new material to his fellow dancers and works hard to offer a variety of music in his sets that stays true to the roots of the dance. He loves all styles of music and his sets tend more toward vintage and authentic styles, but he can bring the funk if the dance calls for it.
Dan started as the primary instructor and DJ at Penn State until his graduation, and since his return to Philadelphia has become a regular DJ for Philly's many weekly dances. Dan has traveled to teach and DJ at exchanges internationally and is always looking for the next travel opportunity.
Allena Tillman-Brown
Known mostly for her affinity for the blues, Allena has been DJing all genres of swing and blues for nearly four years and wonders why she did not start DJing sooner in her dancing career. Whether at a late night or during a dance, she plays everything from Sinatra to Sammy Davis to Sade catering a mix of music that works for all levels and types of dancers. She is a mainstay of the Shoreline Swing scene, and has also DJed at Mystic Blues, Melting Pot, CTLX, as well number of CT events. More than anything, she love finding the right mix of music for the dance floor and having dancers approach her with recommendations, suggestions, and “I LOVE that song! Thank you for playing it!”
Kathrin Osborn
My name is Katie Oz, and I am a Dance-aholic, my last dance was three hours ago. I have been dancing for three years and DJing for two at swing and blues events in Philadelphia and Lancaster, and also enjoy my time experimenting with DJX. In my sets I look for songs that are playful, sinful, delightful, and sometimes all of the above. I like playing music that is true to the genre, but a little outside the box. I like surprises!
When I'm not dancing I'm moonlighting as a Nurse, and no, you will not see my "Nurse Katie" outfit on the dance floor... that is reserved for special occasions.
Emilio Estevez
Emilio is known for his diverse taste in music and especially for his sets that can make you melt, groove, and push your horizons. Emilio figured out quickly that he is driven by music with heart and soul and it must have groove. Music has to have a certain groove or feeling to feel good to play. He has DJ'ed many years starting out as a Lindy DJ and continues to DJ at many different venues.
Rayned Wiles
Rayned Wiles has been dancing for over 10 years and is a nationally-known DJ with extensive experience national competitions, dance camps, exchanges, swing and blues clubs and special events. "I think the point of DJing is to keep everyone in the room dancing and having a great time through music," Rayned says. "My music of choice is swing jazz blues. I like Fats Waller's view that swing is 'two-thirds rhythm and one-third soul' and Carmen McRae's reminder that 'blues is to jazz what yeast is to bread--without it, it's flat.' " Rayned Djs regularly in the Baltimore/Washington DC area.
Greg Avakian
Greg Avakian is a popular teacher & DJ, having taught & spun music for dancers at exchanges, competitions, and other Swing and Blues events across the USA, in Canada and Europe for over a decade. For a long list of teaching/DJing events, music recommendations and more, visit Greg's website: www.SwingAndBlues.com
Greg's DJ style mixes classic swing, small group jazz, acoustic and electric blues and other sweet & funky stuff.