I have a practice

I have a practice I use sometimes.
I don't dance to fast big band, I don't not dance to fast big band.
I don't do any patterns, I count no higher than me and you.
I just embrace my sweetie, drown in her eyes, follow the music.
This method can be used anywhere, anytime, does not require a particular
kind of music, dance floor, or clothing, and is truly effortless.
Thus dance becomes play.
-- Techniqueless Old Smoothie

Basie Swings

This Is Just To Say

that Count Basie

is the real
king of swing
with jo jones & freddie green
set the rhythmm free
and lester young
will always be prez

Forgive me
they swing so sweet
so hot
both yesterday
and today

variations on WCW

Ad for a Dance Partner

Ad for a Dance Partner

Must be someone I can like and respect
And who likes and respects me for me.

[Mutual attraction and respect
absolutely required]

And trust too.
Say, for example
That after a breakaway
you'll be ready to start
on phrase.

Someone who will carry their own weight
Yet will be there to provide support
when needed.

[Baby I can't leverage without you.]

Someone's who adult
yet not afraid
to let the little kid out
and play with me.

And yeah, did I mention true.
When we're dancing,
it's all about
me and you
Only.

-Jazzman-

J a z z m a n
(for Jayne Cortez)

you blow your soul through gold trumpets
whisper your flutters through the flute
you are sweet tonic mix of arpeggio and wine
how I wish you would play me that way/
that way you strum them strings under
ebony blue light smoky haze
that way how you moan soprano screams
in syncopated time
jazzman, each part of my body be a different instrument:

my leg: a saxophone
my spine: the piano
the soles of my feet: the drum
everything else babe is bass

by Jennifer E. Smith

Funky Butt Jass Dance Hall

Funky Butt Jass Dance Hall

ken burns jazz

started with buddy bolden at
the Funky Butt Dance Hall
it started earthy,
hope it stays there

started with improvisation
and individuality. with deep
deep roots in the blues.
blues, a simple structure, yet
art beyond just skill
cause it’s all about a feeling.

the feeling of a people who
chose to be joyful in a
sorrowful world. a new world,
with new relationships. or was it
so new.

‘what did we do to be so black and blue’

dissonance a way of life
in america. just playing the
natural feelings of a people
we kind of blue, but there’s
a trane a coming.

the shape of jazz to come? huh?
ornette, who is that lonely woman
she should be fine and mellow.
listen to Pres, it’s in the tilt
of his horn. hawk knows, cause
we love you baby, body and soul

listen to buhaina, he got the message.
meet me at the chicken shack
5am breakfast dances, saturday
night fish fries, rent parties
shout and holler, swing low
sweet cadillac, rhythm coming
for to take us back to the
funky butt jass hall.

–tm