Blair Hebert - Singer Songwriter from Vancouver, BC Canada.
The nostalgic journey of finding, learning, writing and performing swing music began in the mid nineties with a Vancouver Band I fronted The Swinging Detectives.
We performed mostly private events and as often as we could, we played the oldest surviving Jazz venue in town The Hot Jazz Club on Main St. which is sadly no more.
The Hot Jazz Club in Vancouver was one of the last dance clubs left over from the war years and was often frequented by veteran dancers dressed impeccably suits with their shined shoes and ladies in cocktail dresses. Coming out of the grunge era in music this was a breath of fresh air as teenage angst did not exist here.
As band leader of the Swinging Dicks (Yes we got labeled) it was my job to prepare and copy sheet music, rehearse the band, book the events and perform as lead on vocal and guitar. A lot of work for little pay; but the payoff was seeing the dancers as they swung by, smiling at the band in appreciation. They knew we did it for love as did they. I can honestly say that during the extended songs when the horns were roaring and the rhythmpumping, dancers and musicians became one.
To be continued...
Read more...