Vintage jazz dancer, DJ, songbird, blogger

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The sound quality is a little iffy, but here we are performing at All Balboa Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio! We had a great time being a part of the weekend back in June, which definitely has us looking forward to returning to Cleveland in February for SparX at Case Western Reserve University. Until then, enjoy this little Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald tune – special thanks to Douglas Kaufman for filming and for sharing on YouTube:

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Jazz writer and archivist Michael Steinman, author of the Jazz Lives blog, has written a great review of the Mint Julep Jazz Band’s “Durham on Saturday Night!”

“The MJJB is a small hot group — well-versed in playing for dancers, so they set swinging tempos and stick to them. Their ensemble work is beautifully precise without being stiff, and they really understand the subtle mysteries of swing rhythm…one of their main inspirations is youthful Ella Fitzgerald and the small group out of Chick Webb’s band — The Savoy Eight — and they evoke that sound perfectly without turning out pale note-for-note copies of the records. I heard evocations of Sandy Williams and Sidney Bechet, but also Al Grey and Howard McGhee.”

“Laura’s got her own sweet style with a serious rhythmic underpinning…her rich voice reminded me of young Ella — that hopeful, wistful, asking-for-love quality — but she can turn corners at a fast tempo, as she proves on the CD’s closer, the band’s romping version of Lil Armstrong’s HARLEM ON SATURDAY NIGHT.”

To read more, click here to view the post.

jazz-lives

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We’re back for another delicious gig at Durham’s G2B Gastro Pub! Bring your appetite and/or your dance shoes for a lovely evening of jazz and swing. 🙂

The show is free, but we recommend making a reservation if you would like to eat or have a seat, because the tables usually fill up before we arrive – please specify that you would like to be seated in the jazz lounge.

G2B Gastro Pub
3211 Shannon Road
Durham, NC

See you there! Bring a friend!

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The Mint Julep Jazz Band’s first big road trip is coming up this Friday, June 14, 2013 as we head to Cleveland, Ohio to perform at All Balboa Weekend! This is the longest-running, if not the largest, Balboa event in the world, and plays host to a number of competitions, dances, DJs, international instructors, live music, vendors, and other special events throughout the weekend. Needless to say, we are honored to be a part of their band lineup, along with Pittsburgh’s Boilermaker Jazz Band, who is playing the Saturday night dance.

The Mint Julep Jazz Band is performing at the Friday night dance, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.!

For more information about the event, which runs from June 13-16, 2013, please visit http://www.allbalboa.com.

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Mint Julep Jazz Band bandleaders Lucian Cobb and Laura Windley are featured in the June, 2013 episode of Yehoodi’s Hey Mister Jesse podcast! The show features an interview with Lucian and Laura and clips from several of the songs off the Mint Julep Jazz Band’s new release, “Durham on Saturday Night.” Click here to listen to the show.

For those not familiar with the Hey Mister Jesse podcast, “DJ Jesse Miner will serve up a platter of swingin’ music that matters to dancers. Check out the show every month to hear music, interviews, listener feedback and news about the music swing dancers love.”

In addition to the feature, it’s a great podcast, full of amazing jazz artists (new and old) and a format that invites listeners to engage in and be a part of the show. Highly recommended if you are a fan of trad jazz, swing, and blues and are looking for new listening material.

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An aerial view of Cinema Circle at The Streets at Southpoint.
An aerial view of Cinema Circle at The Streets at Southpoint.

We are excited to be performing at the Music on Main Concert Series at The Streets at Southpoint on June 8, 2013. This free concert series is open to the public and occurs in the large open space with the fountain in front of Southpoint Cinemas.

Cinema Circle, in front of AMC Southpoint 17
8030 Renaissance Parkway
Durham, NC

6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

We’ll see you there!

***RAIN PLAN*** If it rains, the show will move from the outdoor stage to inside the mall.

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We’re kicking off June with our #1 Kickstarter backer, the Triangle Swing Dance Society! Join us at the Murphey School this Saturday, June 1, 2013 for our first swing dance of the summer, with a great venue and a great floor.

Swing out!
Swing out!

Murphey School
3717 Murphy School Rd
Durham, NC

7:00 p.m. beginner east coast swing lesson

Dance from 8:00-11:00 p.m. with the live music from the Mint Julep Jazz Band!

Members/Students $8
Non-members $12

For more information about the Triangle Swing Dance Society, visit their website at http://www.triangleswingdance.org.