The long awaited third album from what can only be called a swing revival supergroup is finally here. Recorded last summer at the Minneapolis Uptown Swing Out, this live take on Naomi and Her Handsome Devils is already being played at DJ'd events and dance classes all over the world.
An instant hit, but how could it miss. The front line is Jonathan Doyle from Seattle, Gordon Au from New York City, and Charlie Halloran from New Orleans. The rhythm section is Jake Sanders from Chicago, Jared Engel out of Brooklyn, Dalton Ridenhour from Missouri but now in New York, and Josh Collazo from LA.
If you've been reading this paper awhile those are all names you've heard before, either as leaders or members of the best traditional jazz and swing groups going. Past albums have included Mike Davis and Adrian Cunningham. This is what is called on the festival circuit a reunion band but the Handsome Devils reunite a number of times a year at major swing events on at least three continents.
The Devils are led by Naomi Uyama a vocalist easily their match in musicality. She's also an international swing dance champion and an instructor with a great sense of what dancing crowds want. When discussing the origin of this live album she wrote:
"It’s always been important to me to not distract from my great musicians with antics or turn the night into a rock concert when in fact it’s a swi
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!
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