An interview with the band:

 The Junco Royals

They've been all around town. Playing at the Bootleggers Ball, Porchfest and even opening for the Squirrel Nut Zippers at the Ritz Theater. The band members include Madison who plays guitar, Molly the clarinetist, William on Banjo and Sean on Tuba. Madison, William and Molly take turns on vocals for a great mix of vocal styles. We luckily had a chance to talk with them and ask a few questions. Here is a little bit about this new local band.

How did you meet?

"How we met: Madison and Molly (guitar and clarinet) had been playing music together for a bit and decided to check out an open mic night where they heard William (banjo) playing a set of traditional jazz tunes. It's rare to hear that style around here so they were eager to approach him about their similar musical interests. The three started playing together and quickly realized that their musical vision was compatible. Later that year, Molly discovered that an old friend of hers from college (Sean-tuba) had recently moved to town. She invited him over to play and after one rehearsal they realized how much magic the tuba bought to their sound."

Where did the name Junco Royals come from?

"The name Junco Royals: The word Junco came from a cool tune that William brought to the table called "Junco Partner"

...that got us thinking about the word. The Junco is a modest , everyday north american bird with a pleasant song. We sort of identify with that image...we are all humble individuals. The Royals part of it comes from our affinity for New Orleans culture. Much of New Orleans culture is about finding the royalty or specialty in everyday things and the people around you."

Describe the roots of your sound and inspirations:

"Our inspirations: We all definitely have a common thread - old. And, even better is old and obscure. It's pretty uncanny that all of us have such similar tastes coming from all different backgrounds. We listen to a lot of the old folks: Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Lil Hardin, Harlem Hamfats, Django, Sidney Bechet. But there's also this burgeoning movement of traditional jazz revivalists playing in the modern era: Tuba Skinny, Old Fish Jazz Band, The Hippocampus Jass Gang, Smoking Time jazz band, Tamar Korn, Meschiya Lake, The Boxcar Boys. We really look up to these contemporaries because they are working with all the same tools as us and they set the bar for what is possible now."

Question: If you were an animal, which animal would you be?

Madison: "a mongoose, (to Sean) You definitely said elephants and William definitely said owl. I'm a dragon

William: "an owl, the bad a** bird of the night..."











Madison: "Sean is an elephant"
Sean: "Loved all of it, but elephants? Put me down for a bear. That was William that likes elephants"

Molly: "a lamprey haha"







We had so much fun getting to know this band. I know I just can't wait to hear them again!
If you are interested in finding more about this band and their gigs, check out their Facebook page. The Junco Royals

-Jen Seidl

The Dancing

This Saturday night First Coast Blues and Lindy Society is holding their Christmas Swing dance party. And guess who is playing! The Junco Royals! Come join us at the Monarch Ballroom 7 pm - 11pm for a night of frivolity and dancing. For more details Click Here.

Swing-out with us this Sunday night at the Volstead! There will be a free dance lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+. There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:

The Volstead

115 W Adams St, 

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Check out the bar's website here

The Volstead

The Lessons

December 1st and 8th, the First Coast BLS is offering Beginner Collegiate Shag Lessons. Come burn off those Turkey Calories with us 7:30-10:30 pm!

Swingfood/ Bluesfood

This week we bring your our Thanksgiving menu of songs that will fill your ears with tasty music about Food. Listen while you shop, drive home or visit with family. And don't forget to come out Sunday night to dance with us at the Volstead, Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizers/Antipasti

"Oysters" - Pat Dailey

Entrées Course

Mystery Meat

"Frim Fram Sauce" - Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald

"Alligator Meat" - Charlie Singleton

Beef

"All That Meat And No Potatoes" - Fats Waller

Hamburger Hop by Johnny Hicks

Chicken

"Chicken Ain't Nothin but a Bird" - Cab Calloway

"Chicken Cordon Blues" - Steve Goodman

Fish

"Hold Tight, Hold Tight(Want Some Seafood Mama)" - Andrew Sisters

Catfish - Bob Dylan

Sides

"Good Biscuits" - Memphis minnie

"Mashed Potatoes" - Rufus Thomas

"Beans and Cornbread" - Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five

"Solid Potato Salad" - Christina Crerar

Dessert

"Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy" -Stan Kenton and June Christy

"Banana Split for my Baby" - Louis Prima

"Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" - The Mills Brothers

"Shortnin' Bread Rock" - Etta James

"Cheesecake" - Louis Armstrong

Drinks

"When I Take my Sugar to Tea" - Nat King Cole

"Black Coffee"- Peggy Lee

"You're the Cream in My Coffee" - Nat King Cole Trio

"One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" - John Lee Hooker

Kids Meal

"Hot Potato" - the Wiggles

"Animal Crackers" - Wee Hairy Beasties

"I like Banana's" - Larry N Swenson

Thanks for Listening but for now, lets just dance...and
"Let's Call the Whole thing Off" - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Want more opportunities to dance? Join us on Saturday December 3rd to hear the Junco Royals play at the Monarch Ballroom!

Or Come Learn Collegiate Shag on December 1st!

Venerable Veteran Major Glenn Miller

 “When the United States entered the war in 1941, swing music went to war, too. Jazz music provided comfort for families at home and soldiers abroad. Many musicians were drafted into the military and took their music with them. Some of them led military jazz bands that traveled the world to boost the morale of troops.”- Veterans United

From 1939 to 1941 the Glenn Miller Orchestra was America’s most popular band. But the call came for many, as it did for Glenn Miller, December 7, 1941 to join the fight for
World War II.

In the fall of 1942 at 38 years, Glenn Miller joined the Army to...

"put a little more spring into the feet of our marching men and a little more joy into their hearts.” - Glenn Miller

He was placed the in Army Air Corps of US military to become a Captain. Miller’s first duty station was at Maxwell Field, Alabama to play trombone with a 15-piece band.

He persisted on his personal mission and obtained permission to form a large military marching band where he hand-picked musicians from other service performance groups. This soon became the 50-member orchestra the 418th Army Air Force Band. Their duties included playing reveille, taps, march, retreat, and entertainment for the troops.

“We didn't come here to set any fashions in music. We merely came to bring a much-needed touch of home to some lads who have been here a couple of years.”-Glenn Miller

Miller’s Band played for fundraisers to bring in millions of dollars in War Bonds, morale building and recruitment drives in the USA and in Europe.  For this grand undertaking of 500 broadcasts, and 300 live shows that made up 800 plus performances during a single year, Miller was promoted from Captain to Major. His radio broadcast “I Sustain the Wings” was on air weekly, and played instrumental recordings with occasional snippets of news for the home front.  On June 10, 1944 a few days after the invasion in Normandy, France Major Miller reported “It's been a big week for our side. Over on the beaches of Normandy our boys have fired the opening guns of the long awaited drive to liberate the world."
   .
Life for a big band was not sheltered and very often they would see danger themselves as they played for the men that were going into battle the very next day. Here is quote from the Arlington National Cemetery about Major Glenn Miller’s bravery overseas:

“It is not an exaggeration to report that every   band member owed his life to Glenn Miller. When the band arrived in London, they were quartered at 25 Sloane Court. 
Unfortunately, this was in the middle of "Buzz Bomb Alley," an area of sleepless nights because of the constant barrage of German V-1 bombs. That day Miller immediately arranged for new quarters and transportation to move to Bedford on Sunday, July 2, 1944. The next morning, a buzz bomb landed in front of their old quarters, destroyed the building, and killed more than 100 people. None were Miller band members. Miller told band manager Lt. Don Haynes, "As long as [the Miller Luck] stays with us, we have nothing to worry about."  - Major Glenn Miller, Arlington National Cemetery

What an amazing Veteran musician! If you want to know more about Major Glenn Miller, his mysterious disappearancem the movie that was made about his life and his amazing music, please scroll down below to the videos section. I've included the original references for this article and several videos of his work.  This weekend is JAM PACKED with Veterans Day and Post-Veterans day events more details below! Thank you to all our Veterans that have served and service men and women who continue to keep our country safe!






By Jen Seidl

The Dancing

Let's celebrate Veterans on Swing Dance Sunday November 13 at The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville. There will be a free dance lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+. There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:

The Volstead

115 W Adams St,
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Check out the bar's website here

The Volstead

Friday

Raisin Cake Orchestra @ Wine Down Lounge 1070 Edgewood Avenue S, #1 8pm-11pm no cover

Saturday

Chris Thomas Band @ St. Johns Town Center 2-4pm the Band Be Easy 4 - 6 pm and the Chris Thomas 9 piece band starting at 6:00pm on the stage in front of Maggianos.

Raisin Cake Orchestra at the Volstead 9pm-12pm

Sunday

First Coast BLS's Swing Dance Sundays

Monday

River City Rhythm Kings at Mudville Grill, 7 pm-9 pm cost $5 per person

Thursday

Musicality with Jen! at Club Savoy 7:30pm - 10:30pm cost $10 per person

December 3rd Christmas Dance Party with
Band Junco Royals!

The Dixieland Band Fron Santa Claus Land! @ Monarch Ballroom 7 pm - 11 pm cost $5-7

Meetups

Join our Meetup!

The Video's

Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” from the Glenn Miller Story Film 1954

 Glenn Miller’s Farewell before Joining the US Army – “Moonlight Serenade”

"21 Gun Salute" –  Performed by Glenn Miller and the 418th Army Air Force Band

References/Links:

The New York Times: THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; ' The Glenn Miller Story' Stars James Stewart and June Allyson at the Capitol

Arlington Cemetery: "Major Glenn Miller"

Veterans United: "Big Band in the Barracks: Looking Back At The Music of WWII and the Greatest Generation"

Cornucopia of Swing: Waking With Style

"I'm walkin'-Yes indeed, I'm talkin'-Bout you and me, I'm hopin'-That you'll come dance with me, yeah, yeah!" -Fats Domino 

Walking With Style!

Have you ever thought about or paid attention to how you walk and move?  I know that I had personally never given it much thought until I started Swing Dancing.  Most of our movement comes so naturally that we don’t have to think about it consciously, it’s just something that we do.

An example of dance walking- the Camel Walk by Al Minns

In our class this week we are going to examine how we walk and what happens to our bodies as we naturally react to speed adjustments.  After a bit of self-examination, we’ll go into the promenade position and go for a little walk with our partners.  During the class we will be using the concepts of frame and tension to see how we can use the information gleaned from our body’s natural movements and mechanics to communicate more effectively to our partners.

Instructor Brent Earl




And after that amazing lesson come join us this Sunday, November 6 at The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville for Swing Dance Sunday. There will be a free dance lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Check out the bar's website here
Ample street parking!

The Dancing!

First Saturday Dance!

New Lessons!

Even More Events!

Toots Lorraine and the Traffic is performing on Friday Night at Mojo Kitchen 9pm Be there or Be Square! Event Information is here: Toots Lorraine and the Traffic

Porchfest is Happening this Weekend be sure to check out the Junco Royals between 3 - 5 pm before heading out to the First Saturday Dance at the Monarch Ballroom!

Details for Porchfest can be found here: Porchfest

Love that Swing Style!

It’s that time of year again. Time to change the wardrobe from summer fashions and get spinning into fall (See what I did there?). Warm colors, more layers, closed-toed shoes; you name it. As an avid consumer of all things vintage reproduction, I would love to share my input on where to shop for those new or new to you styles. Especially for those of us who dance.
As a swing dancer, I find myself asking a few questions before I make any purchase. Will I have any wardrobe malfunctions? Is it spinny? (Yes, that’s a very frequent word in my vocabulary) Will these shoes stay on my feet? All pretty standard questions. I tend to find that these questions not only answer to my dancing side, but also my attempt to remain as vintage styled as possible.

Just around the corner (Saturday, October 22nd), Grease Rags Clothing Company is hosting a  ‘Fall Vintage Clothing Swap and Sell’ in their parking lot. This is done often during the change of seasons. It’s an event where people bring their old clothing (in this case, vintage style) and set up a table, where all in attendance can swap or sell. It’s like getting an entirely new vintage wardrobe for super cheap, or no money spent at all. You can find the link for information about the event here:

Vintage Swap and Sell

Some brands you might see during this event: Hell Bunny, Retrospec’d, Pinup Girl Clothing, Steady Clothing, Trashy Diva, just to name a few brands. These are all amazing vintage reproduction clothing companies that cater to the classy gal in all of us. You’ll find colorful patterns on full circle skirts (which look amazing on the dance floor), a variety of amazing necklines and sleeve lengths, and Mary Jane shoes to die for. Don’t forget to throw in a cardigan for those layers we talked about.

Grease Rags is the premier destination in Jacksonville for all of your vintage style clothing needs.Owned by Cindy Platt, this is 3 years in a row winner of Best Clothing Store in Jacksonville through Folio Magazine. And the reason is because of her personal touches, the earrings, the vintage hats strewn about, and that fabulous makeup. She gives time and care to all her customers; allowing each to try on different clothing styles in her dressing rooms and finding their vintage dreams.

That Poor Girl Vintage is another great spot with honest-to-goodness real vintage clothing and accessories. There’s also Subculture Corsets in the Avenues Mall which has a selection of vintage style dresses. If you aren’t ready to check out these stores in person, I have a few websites to recommend which will be listed below.
I can’t wait to see you out on the dance floor in your new dancin’ garb.

-Victoria!

Dance Store.com - Modcloth - Unique Vintage 

Blamebetty - LadyvLondon - Pinup Girl Clothing

The Dancing!

So once you've got those fab new clothes come
swing dance with us at the Volstead Sunday Nights!

Swing Dance Sundays!

Or check out any of these great dance opportunities on the

First Coast Blues and Lindy Society on our Meetup Site! Click Below!

First Coast Blues and Lindy Meetup

And if you don't get enough check out these two great classes where you can: 

Learn Lindy-hop and How to Balboa!

See you on the Dance Floor Sunday Night!!

Rockabilly & Vintage Car Culture

You’ve seen them at your local dance events. Girls that wear high waisted dresses with big curls in their hair, bright beautiful makeup and winged eyeliner that flies off their faces. Boys wearing slicked back Elvis-hair, rolled up arms on their white t-shirts and jeans with boots.  The girls are pinups, the boys are greasers, and they all fall into the Rockabilly family. 

Some Rockabilly and hard core devotees of the Lindy-hop scene “drive vintage cars, carry long-chained pocket watches, and listen to “real” swing music (original big band music from the golden era).”  These two great sub-cultures span the vintage eras of the 1920s -1950s. Few places other than a dance floor that you can find where these genres bare their colors in such glory is that of a Classic Car Show. Today this article is going to be about the Hot Rods that grace the roads of North Florida and where to find them.

These last two weeks in October we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to see two amazing carshows!  If you missed it the Amelia Cruizers Car Club just had their 20th Annual 8-Flags Car Show on Saturday October 15.  Here is a short video of the event!

If you want to follow their Facebook page so you don’t miss another amazing show you can find them here:

  Amelia Cruizers Car Club

But don’t be bummed out! There is another Classic Car Cruise just around the Corner!! Come out and Support Jacksonville Beach at their Jax Beach Art Walk on October 18 and get a little treat as they share it with a Classic Car Cruise.  The Classic Cars will be parked in Latham Plaza while artists are set up along First St.  The event details are listed here:

Jax Beach Art Walk/Classic Car Cruise

Come enjoy the vintage cars, and let it take you back, or imagine a different time and place when swing was the thing, or Elvis and Rockabilly was king!

And lastly if you just can't get enough here is a great link for all of Florida's car shows!

FlaCarShows.com

Feel free to comment on the Facebook post of this blog for any other great Florida car show groups, cruizers, or car organizations that you think others may be interested in!

-Jen

The Dancing!

Find us out on the Dance floor at the Volstead every Sunday Night! No Cover, 21 and up! Free Lessons 7pm -8pm and DJed by the First Coast Blues and Lindy Society 8pm-11pm! Be Sure to tip your Bartender!!

Join Our Meetup to Find Great Music, Swing Dance Lessons and Dance Events Throughout the Week!

Click the Link Below!

First Coast Blues and Lindy Meetup

The Lessons!

Click Here for More About Learning Lindy-Hop!

Click Here for More About Learn to Dance Balboa!

Sources:
I See America Dancing: Selected Readings, 1685-2000
Rockabilly Verses Greaser