Bands

This year, Austin Lindy Exchange will feature four first-rate bands.

Jim Cullum Jazz Band

Austin Lindy Exchange is proud to present Jim Cullum in their debut appearance at a National swing dance event. The band formed 50 years ago, by Jim Cullum and his father, who was a veteran of the Jack Teagarden Band. As you might guess, the Jim Cullum Jazz Band is a Texas institution.

Since the 1963, the Jim Cullum Band has been a fixture at the Landing Jazz Club on San Antonio's Riverwalk and in the 1980s, Jim Cullum gained additional national prominence with the launch of National Public Radio's program titled "Riverwalk Jazz."

For the past year, the Jim Cullum Band and The Landing have opened up to the San Antonio swing dancers with a twice monthly evening of live jazz and dancing. Needless to say, it has been a raging success.

As quoted on their website, "the Jim Cullum Jazz Band (JCJB) plays jazz in the classic manner, that is, in the style of small, hot ensembles prior to WWII. The band's repertoire covers a lot of ground--from 19th-century cakewalks to the small pre-war Benny Goodman ensembles."

If you want to learn more about Jim Cullum, check out Le Blog Hot and the Landing's website. You can also listen to Jim Cullum's Riverwalk Jazz on your local NPR station- just check out the program listings.

The Careless Lovers

The Careless Lovers are an assembly of swing dancer musicians, inspired by the streets and clubs of New Orleans, New York City, and anywhere that hot jazz combos have been laying down swinging rhythms, past and present. The desire of the band is to play a mix of traditional jazz, blues, and swing era tunes and stylings with an attitude that's acoustic, fresh, and dirty. With an infectiously danceable rhythm, the Careless Lovers are bringing the spirit and joy of jazz culture to the streets of Seattle.

The Careless Lovers are a party-to-go made up of Seattle's most energetic young musicians, playing brass, reeds, guitar, and upright bass. The Lovers like to sing old-timey melodies and group call and responses that get everyone involved. The band can be found on the streets of Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle, and increasingly in the cozy dance halls, coffee shops, and bars around Seattle.

Visit TheCareLessLovers.com

Watch their Music Video of "Black Coffee" that took the lindy scene by storm.

Buy their single "Black Coffee" on iTunes!

Greg Izor

Making a return appearance to ALX and anchoring the Saturday afterhours will be blues favorite Greg Izor. Greg is a veteran of multple Austin dance events including Austin Blues Party 4 and 5, and ALX 2010.

Although he's only 27, he already has a reputation for intense, high-energy performances, stunning technique and musical prowess. He has appeared on television, radio, live webcasts and at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

He is steeped in the tradition of the great Chicago and West coast harp players, and heavily influenced by New Orleans R&B, Swamp Pop, and Louisiana blues. More information on Greg can be found at his website.

Soul Track Mind

With a fresh sound that blends soul, blues, jazz, funk and classic rock, this dapper crew of eight is sure to get your foot tappin' and your hips shakin'.

Soul Track Mind tore it up at the 2011 Lone Star Championships, and ALX will be their second show for the swing dancing community. They should be a huge hit on Sunday night!

Their past appearances include:

• The 2011 ESPN Super Bowl Tailgate (headliner) - Fort Worth Stockyards
• MyOldKentuckyBlog South by Southwest kick-off
• 26th annual Taste of New Orleans Fiesta -Sunken Garden Amphitheatre - San Antonio, Texas
• KTSW-FM (Texas State University) MyRadio Festival (co-headliner).