Big Band Bash 2003 - Jitterbugs Swingapore

BIG BAND BASH 2003

Jitterbugs Swingapore

Jian Hao swinging Grace around him

Lindy Hoppers have never failed to be a crowd pleaser with their elegant and smooth swings, intertwined with their sophisticated acrobatics done with precise timing to the rhythm of the music.

Sinclair flips Anna over

The performers gave the crowd a wowing good time with their 10-minute choreographed interpretation of two numbers including Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing".

Marcus jumps over Marz

In a way, the appearance of the Jitterbugs Swingapore is long expected for no big band is complete without their partners on the dance floor. Not only that, for many years, Thomson has been regarded as the unofficial band of the Savoy-style Lindy Hop school. Whenever a Thomson big band has a public gig, be it at the Harry's Bar (Boat Quay) or elsewhere, you can be assured that the members of the school will be there to support the band.

Not only that, the two groups have also worked very closely together in many big projects. During the last Singapore International Jazz Festival in May 2001, Jitterbugs danced with the Thomson Swing Band. At the SEA Jam Swingapore 2002, a Lindy Hop camp, the Thomson Swing Band was invited to play at their Glitterbug Ball. Similarly, Jitterbugs was invited to appear at the Thomson's Fascinating Rhythm concert in October 2002. When the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra came to the Esplanade in November 2002, the Jitterbugs Swingapore gave a free Lindy Hop workshop and also danced with them while the Thomson Big Band jammed with Wynton Marsalis and his four soloists. A few years ago when Arts Central produced the documentary "Jam!" featuring the Thomson Jazz Club, Jitterbugs was invited to perform with them at the Harry's Bar. So when Arts Central recently produced a dance documentary "Go Tutu Go!: Lindy Hop" featuring the Jitterbugs Swingapore, you can bet that Thomson was invited this time to appear at the Harry's Bar.

It should also not surprise you by now that the Thomson Swing Band was invited to play at the wedding of Fen, one of the founders of Jitterbugs Swingapore.

All good things must come to an end. In their trademark gesture, the performers carried their partners in various comical ways and waved to the audience.

And if you're stung with this swinging bug, don't worry. Your cure is easily found at http://www.swingapore.com. The next band to appear is also another unofficial band of the Jitterbugs Swingapore and a `friend' of Thomson. Let's welcome the National University of Singapore (NUS) Jazz Band.