Album Notes

MORA'S MODERN SWINGTET is the small-group unit from Mora's Modern Rhythmists, one of the leading interpreters of 1920s and 1930s dance band music. Its leader, Dean Mora, is a Los Angeles-area pianist whose interest in this time period inspires him to bring the music of this era back to life, utilizing authentic original published arrangements as well as transcriptions from recordings.

In 1998, responding to requests to hire a smaller version of the Modern Rhythmists, Dean formed Mora's Modern Swingtet; however, rather than merely having this new band play trimmed-down versions of the Rhythmists' musical selections, the Swingtet was given its own repertoire -- that of the famous small groups of the 1930s and 1940s: The Benny Goodman Quartet/Quintet/Sextet, Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven, Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five, the Ellingtonians, and the John Kirby Orchestra, among others. This created an entirely new band, separate from the Modern Rhythmists, but still retaining the musicianship of the larger group. Kayre Morrison, the Rhythmists' lovely and talented singer, joins the Swingtet for renditions of such classics as "You're A Sweetheart", "Too Good To Be True", and "Moonglow".

The Swingtet has performed at The Derby and Atlas nightclubs, the historic Biltmore and Argyle hotels, the Century Ballroom (Seattle, WA), the Orpheum Theatre, the Sweet and Hot Classic Jazz Festival, as well as for numerous private and corporate functions.