March 11 - 13, 2016 ~ Ann Arbor, MI
Naomi Uyama has been steeped in classic jazz from the swing era since beginning her lindy hop career at the tender age of 16. After going crazy for swing dancing, winning international awards, and teaching around the world she began to focus more and more on the music. She began singing and studying, moving to New York City for more access to the growing traditional jazz scene there. After getting to work with some of the lindy scene's most prominent bands she decided to form her own project- the Handsome Devils.
As the idea took shape the focus was on choosing the right guys. The musicians had to be great players, have respect for dancers, and work well together on and off the bandstand. The Devils were all hand picked from the top talent in the classic jazz scenes of New York and Chicago. Naomi considers herself so fortunate to get to work with her dream swing band line up, and is constantly in awe of the Devils' musicianship.
Though formed recently the individual members have decades of experience swinging hard and keeping dancers happy. They have just released their debut self titled CD, and have played across the U.S. in renowned ballrooms and at pro competitions, and at the world's largest swing dance camp- Herrang, in Sweden.
The jam will last for approximately one hour, and everyone is encouraged to come dance! Give some love to our up and coming musicians!
Download the charts and chord sheets here: Jam Sheets
Brennan's obsession with jazz and blues began back in his young adolescent years but it wasn't until 2009 that he started on his journey of playing for dance floors. Having honed his skills beginning in college swing clubs all over the midwest, he has now spun at regional and national events including Lindy on the Rocks, Pittstop, Hawkeye Swing Festival, and CUBE. Brennan continually strives to find new (and old) music that inspires and challenges dancers to create art in all dance forms. So whether you like it fast or slow, groovy or chunky, boisterous or sweet, Brennan is ready to bring the party to Pirate Swing 2016!
Mike's love of blues and jazz has been obsessive for some time, and once she started running a weekly blues dance out of her home in Atlanta in 2008, she committed herself to the art of DJing. She has since gone on to DJ sets around the country, from Austin to San Fransisco to Boston. She prides herself on providing a variety of styles and eras in each of her sets, and strives to create a sound that is both unique and inspiring; she also aspires to expose people to new music, and to challenge their dancing.
Joey Science is a dork for both lindy hop and blues, and has been at every single Pirate Swing. Since 2010, Joey has been running 50Fifty, a lindy and blues dance in Chicago, DJing sweet tunes whenever needed. Joey has taken DJ lessons from both Dan Repsch and Rob Moreland, and is always looking to learn more about the super rad job of playing music to keep people moving. They love supporting modern swing and blues bands, and have an ear out for new albums all of the time.
He plays the rhythms, the sounds, the pulse that makes dancers jump and feet glide. He wants to share what inspires this movement with you, the dancers of Pirate Swing 2016. Bringing this rhythm, this jive and groove, is Ross Blythe. He.s a Chicago DJ with a love of travel and dance. He.ll spin the jazz and blues you want to hear. Prepare for the sounds of the streets of the Delta, the thrum and catch of the Hot Club, the brazen horns and delicate clarinets of the grandstand, haunting twang of the juke joint: all of these and more for your ears, your feet, and your dance.
Ross can be found DJing around the midwest (with stints in Scotland and Toronto, CA) as well as events around Chicago including: 50Fifty, Bluetopia, Chicago Balboa Underground, Chicago Monthly Balboa Social, and Swing Dancing at Fizz.