Arising out of musical and rhythmic developments among the “hot” bands of the late 1920s and coined “Swing”, the new pulse and sound coming from bands of the mid-30s electrified audiences and began a resurgence of widespread popularity for larger and smaller jazz ensembles alike. This was an era of big bands, demanding bandleaders, flashy soloists, swinging riffs, handsome crooners, and heartbreaking lady vocalists. The Swing Era produced such an iconic and massive volume of hits that it has remained one of the most loved and widely celebrated genres of jazz today.
Jazz rhythm maestro and longtime Shedd Institute favorite Chuck Redd takes the reins of Oregon Festival of American Music 2019 and welcomes guest directors Jesse Cloninger, Ted Rosenthal, and Byron Stripling and a host of colleagues for MIGHT AS WELL BE SWING, a 2-week celebration of The Age of Swing, from its inception in the late 1920s and early '30s, through its golden years in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s.
Through 10 concerts in 16 performances along with the films, talks, and community sing-alongs, Chuck Redd and company will explore the careers of a wide range of the musicians and composers who made the Era what it was, from Benny Goodman, The Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller to Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw and host of vocalists, instrumentalists, bandleaders and composers too numerous to mention! It will be quite a journey.
Oregon Festival of American Music 2019 includes 9 evening and 6 matinee concerts, our annual mid-festival jazz party, an all-new production of the 1955 musical comedy Damn Yankees, 2 community sing-alongs, films, and talks.
Tickets are on sale now at The Shedd Institute Ticket Office at 541-434-7000, in person at 868 High Street (MF 9-6 pm and Sat 9-noon) or ONLINE. Ask about our OFAM 2018 package discounts or
purchase ONLINE here!