Results for "Knoxville"

Big Ears Festival 2025

by Mark Sullivan
April 8, 2025

Big Ears Festival Knoxville, TN March 27-30, 2025 This year's festival again featured several spotlighted events (but none of them required special ticketing, as was tried last year). “Across the Horizon" was a series of concerts combining Americana and ambient music, curated by Bob Holmes and the band SUSS. “Age ...

Swingbooty: Reviving Gypsy Jazz with a Modern Twist

by Kris Smith
January 23, 2025

In the '70s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) brought classical music to the foreground of the Woodstock generation releasing songs like “Roll Over Beethoven" and blending orchestral elements with rock. Today, Swingbooty, a seven-piece gypsy swing band, is taking a page from the ELO playbook. In their home base of East Tennessee, Swingbooty brings jazz manouche to ...

Sean Mantione

Influenced by legends like Buddy Rich and Big Sid Catlett, Sean Mantione’s drumming blends versatility and finesse. Whether using brushes or sticks, Sean brings texture and vitality to every performance.  He first discovered manouche jazz in his home town (near Scranton, PA) playing with friends at Abbey Road.  Commenting on the Swingbooty experience he remarks: "I love our chemistry as a band both on and off stage. We combine all our influences in and out of jazz and wrap it together like a delicious burrito."
Fan Quote: "Sean’s drumming adds punch and precision while keeping the Swingbooty vibe light and joyful."

Adam Friedman

Adam Friedman grew up in Ft. Lauderale and studied music in high school and later attended Berklee.  He has played guitar as a core member of Swingbooty since 2023.  With influences like Julian Lage and George Benson, Friedman brings to the band a blend of melodic mastery and improvisational flair.   Fan Quote: "I could listen to Adam’s guitar solo all night. His knack for reimagining melodies with fresh improvisations is unmatched." –Robert Casper

Les Cunningham

A former drummer turned gypsy jazz devotee, Les “Doc” Cunningham channels the spirit of Django Reinhardt, Angelo DeBarre, and Slava Tolstoy. Today, he plays guitar with Swingbooty and is a core member of the band since 2020.   He studied with jazz greats Robin Nolan and Slava Tolstoy, perfecting his rhythm guitar style that drives each song and provides the backbone for Swingbooty’s performances.  Fan quote:  “Les has a sixth sense for timing and a rare ability to weave fresh, improvised melodies." –Brad Baker

Mike Benjamin

Mike Benjamin played bassoon for Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra since his 20's.  In recent years his focus shifted to the piano collaborating with numerous jazz groups including Johnson Swingtet, the Brad Walker Orchestra, and Rosewood Trio.  Benjamin has been the pianist and a core member of Swingbooty since 2020.

With Swingbooty, he has appeared in ten video releases and is presently working with the band to produce its third LP release.  Pianist Mike Benjamin draws from influences like Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington to bring playfulness and precision to Swingbooty’s sound

Swingbooty

Active since: 2010

Swingbooty got its start in 2010 playing for swing dancers, flow performers, and break dancers in clubs and festivals.  Starting out as an instrumental Manouche (gypsy jazz) band they added a vocalist in 2014 and have remained a seven-piece band ever since.  Swingbooty has the driving rhythm and danceable beat that is emblematic of Swing music.  Their shows frequently include various types of visual and performance art including fire and flow. They have released two LPs and several concept videos.  The band is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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Big Ears Festival 2024

by Mark Sullivan
April 1, 2024

Big Ears Festival Knoxville, TN March 21-24, 2024 After last year's triumphant tenth anniversary, the festival returned with the slogan “The adventure continues." The iconic and influential Nonesuch Records' 60th anniversary was celebrated with performances by Brad Mehldau, Caroline Shaw, Darcy James Argue, Mary Halvorson, Davóne Tines, Sam Amidon, Hurray for the ...

Makaya McCraven: In The Moment to In These Times

by Rob Garratt
June 13, 2023

Makaya McCraven needs a coffee--fast. It's 4pm and he's crashing. It will be his third of the day. His first caffeine hit, consumed on stage six hours earlier, was a chemical necessity; McCraven was drinking at a nearby Irish pub until the early hours and nearly missed his early morning panel talk appearance alongside fellow percussion ...

Big Ears Festival 2023

by Mark Sullivan
April 17, 2023

Big Ears Festival Knoxville, Tennesse March 30-April 2, 2023 The second full edition after the pandemic found the Big Ears Festival still growing in attendance. Organizers responded by increasing the number of venues, including new ones like the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and ones that had not been used for some time, ...