Archive for May, 2009

• 05.27.09 Engagement photo session posted in Uncategorized

  On Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to have an engagement photo session with Emily and our photographer, Stacy Richardson. We travelled to downtown Annapolis where we proceeded to change into some vintage inspired clothing and walk around town for about an hour. Then we changed into some more casual clothing (which I was very thankful for because it was 85 degrees out and I was HOT), went to a park, and goofed off for another hour. I love the teaser pictures that Stacy was kind enough to post on her website and can’t wait to see how the rest come out.

  Emily looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress and heels. She spent a lot of time on that dress, trying to make everything just right. And I think she did. So well, in fact, that a few people actually thought we had just gotten married!

  Doing this made me a lot more comfortable being around someone taking our pictures all day. At first I wasn’t sure what to do but by the end I felt really good at being myself. I can’t wait to do it again on our wedding day!

• 05.06.09 Kick-ass swing: Fletcher Henderson’s Stealin’ Apples posted in Music

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  Fletcher Henderson was a trendsetter. Beginning in 1923, he closely marks the transition from New Orleans jazz to big band. He was one of the first black artists to successfully collaborate with white artists. He cultivated amazing talent in his band including the beginning of Louis Armstrong’s career. His contributions drove the swing era to its heyday.

  I first heard Stealin’ Apples almost exactly one year ago when I began getting into pre-big band music and it has been in my top ten ever since. This song is a perfect combination between a catchy riff, a nice tempo at 185bpm, a relaxed sound, and something that makes me want to bounce and dance. There are quite a few versions of this song, but the one on the album The Fletcher Henderson Story is my absolute favorite.

  • Purchase the song
  • Purchase the album

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• 05.01.09 The King of Swing Dance – American Public Media posted in Dancing

  Keeping with the Lindy theme, I thought I’d post a really great interview with Frankie Manning a couple years ago. Most interesting to me is his description of what it was like to walk into the Savoy Ballroom every week. I can only imagine stepping into a ballroom full of 2,000 people with a band as amazing as Chick Webb or Duke Ellington playing. Man, what a time to have lived!

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