Bands 2024
NYLX is thrilled to have not only some of the best swing bands in town playing for us, but the world. We’re sure you already know and love many of these groups as they play swing dances, exchanges and festivals the world over… and yes, thats some hometown pride!
Gordon Webster Band
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.
performing: Friday, September 20th at Sony Hall
Danny Jonokuchi & The Revisionists
Danny Jonokuchi & The Revisionists were unanimously named the winners of the 2020 Count Basie Great American Swing Contest and their infectious sound has been described as “smile-inducing” (Downbeat) and “a classic swing sound you wouldn’t think possible” (Syncopated Times). Multi-talented bandleader Danny Jonokuchi has been called “a rising star” (All About Jazz) and “a sound of this era” (Nextbop). Known for his trumpet, vocals, and “well-crafted arrangements” (Jazz Weekly), he leads an all-star ensemble that “has dancers in mind start to finish” (Syncopated Times). Vocalist Alexa Barchini has been called "a star in the making" (the Syncopated Times) and sings with a gorgeous sound inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan.
With the spirit of the Savoy Ballroom, their vibrant performances have quickly made The Revisionists one of the premier bands for Lindy Hoppers and they have filled dance floors at New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Swings, Philly Fish Fry, The Penn Intercollegiate Lindy Exchange, The Swing Remix, You Should Be Dancing, The Players Club, and The Django. The band’s debut album “Let Me Off Uptown” is available on all streaming services and their quarantine videos have brought dancers together from around the world to celebrate the great Frankie Manning.
performing: Sunday, September 22nd at YSBD
Eyal Vilner Big Band
Eyal Vilner is one of the leading new voices in the New York swing and big band scene. Born in Tel Aviv, saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and bandleader Eyal Vilner moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year.
The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely at some of New York’s landmarks such as Lincoln Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, The Joyce Theater, Birdland, Dizzy's Club, Smalls Jazz Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Midsummer Night's Swing, and Central Park SummerStage. Internationally, Eyal has performed on Israel's most prestigious stages such as the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Tel Aviv Museum, Jerusalem Theater, The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival as well as the historical La Bellevilloise, Le Duc des Lombards, and Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, France.
performing: Saturday, September 21st at Alhambra Ballroom
Hot Toddies Jazz Band
THE HOT TODDIES JAZZ BAND are a fun-loving hot jazz & swing band from NYC. They have an eclectic mix of styles perfect for dancing, lindy hop, and good times! The band has quickly becoming one of the top bands on the swing scene in NYC, currently performing weekly in GOTHAM JAZZ at Somewhere Nowhere. In July 2023 over 2,000 people attended when they headlined the beloved outdoor swing dances at Lincoln Center during “Summer for the City” - formerly Midsummer Night Swing. Their debut album, also released July 2023, is playing on radio stations nationwide and debuted at #18 on the NACC Jazz Chart. Their debut EP “Quarantine Tracks” featured several wacky music videos with over 100k views on social media. Led by Grammy-nominated GABE TERRACCIANO (Turtle Island String Quartet, Avalon Jazz Band) and noted composer & producer PATRICK SOLURI (Prohibition Productions), the band features some of the top musicians in the swing & jazz worlds including JUSTIN POINDEXTER (Jazz at Lincoln Center), noted vocalists QUEEN ESTHER (James “Blood” Ulmer), and HANNAH GILL (Postmodern Jukebox, Company XIV).
performing: Friday, September 20th at Sony Hall
Danny Lipsitz & Brass Tacks
Multi-instrumentalist, music educator, and bandleader Danny Lipsitz has an endless resume including work as a sideman to the most iconic rock 'n' roll, swing music, and jazz icons. He has performed in over 15 countries and performed, arranged, and recorded with artists like Julian Lennon, Bernie Williams, Harry Nilsson, Ronnie Spector, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Mark Hudson (Aerosmith, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne), Denny Laine (Wings, The Moody Blues), Brian Ray (Etta James, Paul McCartney), Joey Molland (Badfinger, John Lennon, George Harrison), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), Earl Slick(David Bowie, John Lennon), The Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Billy Vera, Alphonso Horne, Dr. Demento Covered in Punk, Maria Muldaur, Ginkgoa, The Avalon Jazz Band, The Hot Sardines, Brian Newman, Murray Hill, Lucky Chops Brass Band, The Losers Lounge, The Gordon Webster Swing Band, Chris Norton, and many, many more.
Danny leads his swing, jump blues, klezmer, and early rock 'n' roll band, The Brass Tacks, in captivating, feel-good music for people from all walks of life. The Brass Tacks have performed at jazz clubs, performing arts centers, private events, and swing dance events around the world including a 2022 mini-tour of Asia. In the states, they've performed at Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, Mohonk Mountain House, The Hard Rock Hotel, The Levitt Pavilion, The Jazz Club at Aman New York, The Roxy Hotel, Hotel Edison, and as the headliners for the highly-popular summer series "Seaport Swings." In 2021, Danny and The Brass Tacks signed on with Midori and Friends to present in six public schools around NYC a new curriculum about the saxophone in rock 'n' roll music. In 2022, they headlined the inaugural Swing On the Sound swing dance weekend at Sound View Greenport.
performing: Sunday, September 22nd at YSBD
Mikey Junior
Based in Philadelphia, Mikey Junior burst onto the blues scene less than a dozen years ago and since that time has amassed an impressive catalog of music and praise from both music fans and industry insiders.
"Mikey Junior's amazing skills on diatonic and chromatic harmonicas—combined with muscular vocals make him an exciting presence on today's blues scene. The best way to hear his latest album, 'Traveling South' is with the volume cranked way up!"
— Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine
performing: Sunday, September 22nd at YSBD