LIVE MUSIC
Friday Night
Lulu Swing Band
The LULU SWING Band specializes in 1930s Hot Club Swing with a definitive French and Latin twist, as well as repertoire from the Great American Songbook. Since its founding in 2016 (originally under the name “Mes Copines Gitanes”), Lulu Swing has steadily gained a following, playing at farmers' markets, community and corporate events, and weddings.
Audiences love the unique and upbeat repertoire, and respond to the charm of an all-female band. Our current line-up includes acoustic guitar and bass, violin, and accordion/vocals and is based in Seattle, WA.
Lulu Swing's repertoire is always expanding and currently includes many Hot Club songs popularized by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. They also perform French, Russian, and Latin-style tunes, old and contemporary waltzes (or musettes), and an array of American Swing and traditional standards.
Saturday Night
Cascade Swing Orchestra
Formed by bandleader and arranger Andrew Fox in 2022, the 15 piece Cascade Swing Orchestra is a big band that strives to perform the music of the swing era in an accurate, respectful, and historically informed way.
The band's library includes transcriptions of classic arrangements from between 1928 and 1948 (some of them rarely heard since the swing era), as well as new arrangements and compositions in period style.
Embracing the complex arrangements, the spontaneity of collective improvisation, and in many cases the authentic instruments of the period, the CSO hopes to present a unique interpretation of the music of the swing era to the Seattle area!
Sunday Night
Jacob Zimmerman Quintet
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Jacob was a member of the award-winning Garfield High School Jazz Band studying under Clarence Acox. He moved first to Boston to study jazz saxophone at The New England Conservatory and then the Bay Area to study composition at Mills College.
After moving back to Seattle in 2012, he began to establish himself as an in-demand freelance saxophonist and clarinetist. He developed a reputation for specializing in earlier jazz from the “78-rpm era” (1920s-50s).
Jacob has performed for many swing dance and traditional jazz events both nationally and internationally. In 2019 he joined up with Rachael & Vilray whose first two albums (“Rachael & Vilray” and “I Love A Love Song!”) prominently feature Jacob’s playing and arranging.
As a bandleader Jacob plays concerts and holds down several weekly gigs in Seattle. Known for a deep knowledge of the American Songbook and jazz repertoire, Jacob is a valued member of local bands led by Ray Skjelbred, Jonathan Doyle and many others.
Joining Jacob’s band for NW Balfest will be Seattle favorites and expert jazz & swing musicians D’Vonne Lewis (drums), Matt Weiner (bass), and Walter Connell (trumpet).
DJs
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Travis Whetman
COMPETITION DJ
Travis Whetman has been sharing his love of swing dancing in the Seattle area since the early 2000s.
He is known for his ‘classic’ style of Balboa but also enjoys exploring how to take the dance in new directions.
As a well-known Balboa DJ, Travis also loves talking about the music and how we can connect to it as dancers. Connecting with your partner and with the music are always topics that are close to Travis' heart.
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Other DJs tba