John Dokes

John Dokes is an American vocalist who first came to prominence as a championship lindy hopper in New York. He uses his smooth baritone voice to perform in big band and jazz genres. Singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards, John is currently the featured vocalist with the popular big band George Gee’s Swing Jazz Orchestra. His musical influences include Nat King Cole, Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing and Frank Sinatra.

George Gee Swing Orchestra: Winter Wonderland

Read "Winter Wonderland" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
November 4, 2023

After an absence of several years the New York City-based George Gee Swing Orchestra is back in a recording studio, doing what it does best--swinging merrily through a Winter Wonderland chock-full of holiday favorites that kids of all ages can relate to and appreciate. Gee formed his first band while still in college at Carnegie Mellon University, one day after interviewing Count Basie on the campus radio station. After moving back to New York City, where he ...

You know you’re in for an interesting experience in swing from the first notes of this summit pairing of vocalist John Dokes and veteran swing band leader George Gee. You may not recognize the big, brassy introduction to the first tune, but when Dokes enters with his confident baritone and croons a staccato, “If-you-see-me-walkin’-down-the-street,” you’ll recognize the song as being Bacharach-David’s classic “Walk On By.” But instead of trying to challenge Dionne Warwick’s definitive version