If you know how to lindy hop, watch TCM for fashion ideas in your wardrobe, appreciate style that never goes out of style, and listen to music from the era after prohibition and before rock and roll, then this band is for you!
Craig Gildner and The Blue Sky 5 were formed in 1999 by original members Craig Gildner and Tommy Greco during the high point of the swing dance resurgence. While other bands were donning outrageous zoot suits and playing jump blues, Craig was delving into the true classic repertoire of the swing era small bands from Basie, Ellington, Goodman and Shaw.
A unique feature of this band is that there are original songs and arrangements that stay true to the swing lexicon: you’d hardly know if it was written in 1944 or 2014. Vintage instruments and attire complete the effect. As testament to the band’s authenticity, it has appeared at premiere dance events such as DCLX, CincyLX, Jammin’ on the James, and Midsummer Night Swing.
Whether it’s a weekend dance, ... view more »
If you know how to lindy hop, watch TCM for fashion ideas in your wardrobe, appreciate style that never goes out of style, and listen to music from the era after prohibition and before rock and roll, then this band is for you!
Craig Gildner and The Blue Sky 5 were formed in 1999 by original members Craig Gildner and Tommy Greco during the high point of the swing dance resurgence. While other bands were donning outrageous zoot suits and playing jump blues, Craig was delving into the true classic repertoire of the swing era small bands from Basie, Ellington, Goodman and Shaw.
A unique feature of this band is that there are original songs and arrangements that stay true to the swing lexicon: you’d hardly know if it was written in 1944 or 2014. Vintage instruments and attire complete the effect. As testament to the band’s authenticity, it has appeared at premiere dance events such as DCLX, CincyLX, Jammin’ on the James, and Midsummer Night Swing.
Whether it’s a weekend dance, lindy hop exchange, theme party, or club date, Craig Gildner and The Blue Sky 5 delivers classic American swing…and has a ball doing it!
Join us at BLU Jazz+, Northeast Ohio’s favorite “new-age speakeasy,” as we feature this wonderful band that is sure to make you move and groove in their return to BLU – featuring Craig Gildner (piano), James Fowler (bass), Greg Williams (drums), Halley Shoenberg (clarinet, tenor/alto sax), Brett Lemley (trumpet), Tommy Greco (tenor sax). Swing dance lesson with Valerie Salstrom from Get Hep Swing at 7PM, live band starts at 8PM – see you there!
GET HEP SWING FT. VALERIE SALSTROM
One of America’s busiest Lindy and Balboa teachers, Valerie has a reputation for her finesse on the dance floor. She emphasizes musicality and connection regardless of the style of swing. Since 2002 Valerie has taken home the 2003 National Jitterbug Championships (NJC) Grand Slam Championship, became both the 2004 NJC Balboa Champions and the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC) American Showcase Champions and most recently, (in 2005) she returned to ALHC to place 2nd in the same competition.
Valerie is the organizer of the ‘All Balboa Weekend’ held annually in her home town of Cleveland. This Weekend event first started in 2001 and was the first major dance camp dedicated solely to Balboa. It features the American Classic Balboa Championships (ACBC), one of the nations most respected and sought after Balboa competitions.
Valerie also played a major role in organizing (and participating in) the Guinness World Record breaking ‘Heart Health Hop’ event sponsored by St. Joseph Aspirin, which broke the record for the ‘Longest Dance Party’. From July 29-31 (2003), 41 participants danced at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, for 52 hours and 3 minutes…smashing the old record (search “longest dance party”)!
Valerie is enthusiastic about passing on her love and passion for dance and she brings a fresh, interesting, and lighthearted attitude to both the dance floor and the classroom. Valerie teaches all over the United States, Canada and Europe and runs a dance studio in her hometown of Cleveland, OH.
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