The burgeoning tradition on campus returned on Saturday night in grand fashion with 156 attendees, providing students and community members alike with a glimpse into the historically Black art form of dance and lindy hop jazz.
The event began with a class on the dance form led by SwingColumbus dancers Chealsia Smedly and Shelby Johnson, teaching students not only the steps but the history of lindy hop jazz.
Following the class, the Capital University Big Band, led by Zakk Jones, got behind their stands and played classic pieces of swing music such as Glen Miller’s “In the Mood,” Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train” and Benny Goodman’s “Sing Sing Sing.”
The band was accompanied by guest vocalists Isaac Fleece, Parker Wilkinson, Sasha Antonyuk, Henry Seifried and local professional Sydney McSweeney.
- Shelby Johnson (left) and Chealsia Smedley led the class before the ball began. This was Johnson’s second Big Band Ball and Smedley’s first, though both expressed their joy in attendance. “It’s great to return to Capital,” Johnson said. “It’s great to teach young people.” Smedley said she enjoyed getting to “give people the spirit of the dance.”
- Zakk Jones, assistant professor and area head of Jazz Studies in the Conservatory of Music, enjoys the dance class with one of the members of SwingColumbus. Jones is very aware of the history of the art, he applauded Smedley and Johnson for ensuring attendees know the origin of style. “The way we think about this music is so whitewashed,” Jones said.
- Aidan Cunningham, former president of the Jazz Outreach Society and current Student Government vice president, organized the event this year. His dedication to the event is commendable; he spent six hours rehearsing with the Intercollegiate Big Band before arriving one minute before sound check. “It’s a lot of work,” Cunningham said.
- According to Jones, Sydney McSweeney is “one of the best singers around.” McSweeney, a local professional vocalist, joined the big band on four pieces: “Stompin at the Savoy” by Benny Goodman, “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington, “Our Love is Here to Stay” by George and Ira Gershwin and “Sweet Georgia Brown” by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey. “[Being here] It’s super fun,” McSweeney said. “It’s great working with Zakk Jones and the Big Band.”
- Henry Seifried is a vocalist in the esteemed Chapel Choir. He sang “Centerpiece” by Henry Edison and “At Last” by Mark Gordon and Harry Warren with the big band. “I always want to do jazz,” Seifried said. “It’s the one time when I sing I feel stress free.”
- Claytin Sweeney (left) and Zion Porter enjoying the time to let loose. Both students play french horn in the Symphonic Winds.
7. Katey Hardesty (left) makes up the saxophone section with Dez Dunn, Daniel Johnson-Brewer and Will Conley. The four also perform together in the Capital University Saxophone Quartet which has recently specialized in performing student compositions.
8. Christopher Jacky (left) and Haley Rhoades enjoy a dance. The couple is active on campus, Jacky founded the LEGO Club and Rhoades founded the Book Club, two emerging organizations that have garnered significant attention.
9. Shelby Johnson (left) and Shannon Varner dance to Benny Goodman’s “Sing Sing Sing,” the last piece of the night. The dancers of SwingColumbus formed a circle for their members to show off their expertise to the exciting song, finishing the night in style.
10. Zakk Jones directs the Capital University Big Band at the event for the second year in a row. “I feel amazing,” Jones said. “We were able to build upon what we had done (last year).” He said the dance was about “creating a safe space for people to dance and be merry.”
