Radio StarDust Jazz Orchestra

You’re all breathlessly awaiting news on our progress, eh? Well we’re hard at work and pretty much on schedule with 7 of 13 projected tunes written. You can hear samples of them here. Since starting the project in February, we’ve made progress in contacting some first rate musicians who are interested in collaborating on the recordings — and will soon begin developing a graphic treatment for the collection. We’re also considering issuing a special,
limited edition, fine-art book/CD for our die-hard fans. And here’s news: We’ve selected a firm title to the collection. When released next year, RSDJO’s inaugural CD will be called Cocktail Noir.  In the next several weeks, we’ll be recording new vocal tracks, so check back for samples.

John Malmstrom is pleased to appear as a guest with Swingology on June 5.

John Malmström will join Swingology on clarinet for a few numbers as they present a concert of gypsy jazz at the Ste. Croix United Church, Saturday June 5, 7-9 PM. Swingology will be featuring tunes from their new CD, “Under Paris Skies,” which has gone into production and should be available by mid-June.  For more details, please see: http://valleyevents.ca/event?id=6585

A few days ago, I traveled to hear the Django-Reinhardt-inspired gypsy jazz combo Swingology hold forth in Brooklyn. OK, OK, this was in the charming rural village of Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, not New York, but that didn’t diminish the swell riffs these cats were laying down. Rumor has it they’re following they’re award-winning debut CD with a new release later this summer.  Catch them playing around Nova Scotia in the coming months at venues such as Stayner’s Wharf and the TD Atlantic Jazz Festival in Halifax. You can learn more about Swingology at their mypspace page.

Photo courtesy of Swingology

Remembering Lena Horne this morning. Thank you for a lifetime of great work. Friends: Thought you might enjoy this image. It’s the cover art from one of the vintage charts in our big library of period arrangements.

A stock arrangement from 1939