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George Gee Celebrates Van Alexander Centennial In Los Angeles on July 12th

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The George Gee Swing Orchestra, One Of New York’s Premiere Dance Bands, Returns To The World Famous Maxwell Demille’s Cicada Club At The Oviat Building In Downtown Los Angeles
The George See Swing Orchestra, one of New York’s premiere dance bands, returns to the world famous Maxwell Demille’s Cicada Club at the Oviat Building in downtown Los Angeles for an evening of swing music and dancing honoring the great Chick Webb / Savoy Ballroom music man, Van Alexander (composer of the Ella Fitzgerald hit song “A Tisket A Tasket”) in celebration of his 100th birthday at an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime centennial celebration swing dance party Sunday, July 12th @ 8:30 PM

In the more than three decades since its inception, the George See Swing Orchestra has spread the “Gospel of Swing” to the far corners of the globe, doing its part to keep fingers snappin’ and toes tappin’ with its happy music for happy people. The popular ensemble sets new standards for modern big band performance, elegantly balancing genuine traditions with exhilarating modernism. The versatile swingin’ ensemble can deliver everything from a sweet foxtrot ballad to rollicking roadhouse boogie, all to the delight of the many hoofers who swarm the dance floor for its invigorating performances. The orchestra will no doubt deliver a particularly exciting performance, inspired by the classic surroundings of the Cicada Club that recall the grandeur of Hollywood's glamorous golden age of nightclubs, as well as the presence of one of Gee’s heroes, the great Chick Webb / Savoy Ballroom music man, Van Alexander, the composer of the Webb/Ella Fitzgerald classic “A Tisket A Tasket”, and countless other swing era staples performed by the likes of Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Kay Starr, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and Peggy Lee.

Gee proclaims, “Van Alexander’s legacy with the Chick Webb Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald and the Savoy Ballroom is so important. Van is a true bridge to the classic Savoy style big band of Harlem from the thirties and forties. It is my honor to have him as a fan of the George Gee Swing Orchestra. He came to our show in Culver City last summer for the first time and was thrilled and awed by the lindy hop big band modern day community. He turned 100 on May 2nd and he and his daughter plan on attending this show as our special VIP honoree. He is a hundred and alive and kicking and coming to the event, so it’s very important to me that I trumpet his achievements. I just want to make sure that there’s more awareness of his importance. He is definitely a vintage master of swing.”

“Our music director, trombonist Dave Gibson is transcribing a few of Webb’s big hits, in particular Webb’s theme song “Let’s Get Together” and Van’s biggest hit “A Tisket A Tasket”. Popular L.A. vocalist Barbara Morrison is scheduled to come and sing the Ella Fitzgerald parts on that for this special show, joining our regular singer John Dokes. We will be doing a lot of selections from the classic Chick Webb era repertoire; a lot of the Savoy Ballroom Harlem style songs, plus selections from our latest CD Swing Makes You Happy, which includes Webb’s “Lindy Hopper’s Delight.” Joining the band, lighting up the dance floor, will the amazing Hollywood Hotshots and tap dancing sensation Chester Whitmore, making the Cicada Club jump with the spirit of the Savoy, “Harlem’s home of happy feet”.

The world-famous, elegant art deco Maxwell Demille’s Cicada Club at the Oviat Building in downtown Los Angeles is located at 617 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Tickets for this exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Celebration Swing Dance Party are $20 in advance or $25 day of the show. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Showtime at 8:30 PM.

For reservations and further information call 212 488-9488 or visit

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