Of course, all of this will depend on the DJ that is spinning that night. All DJs encourage song requests from the dancers. If you've got a favorite swing dance song, come up and ask for it! Do keep in mind that requests for latin music or something that just doesn't swing will be politely denied.
Here are some of the styles you might hear at The Volstead on Swing Dance Sunday:
Swing, small group swing, big swing from the 1930s and early 40s, modern swing bands, early vocal jazz, western swing, R&B, jump blues, New Orleans jazz, gypsy jazz, soul, early rock n' roll, boogie woogie, oldies, rockabilly, and (on occasion) modern
Swing Dance Sunday DJs
DJ Jason Provost
A Boston, Massachusetts native and now happily living in Jacksonville, Jason has been DJing music for swing dancers since 2003. Prior to his gig at The Volstead he was the House DJ/MC at Boston's Swing City and Boston Swing Central, the largest weekly dances in the city. He's worked to bring swing and jazz from the original swing era to Jacksonville's dance scene. His tastes run from the hot charts of the 1930s to jump blues to soul and early rock 'n roll. In addition to DJing for dancers, Jason has hosted radio shows for various stations, spinning both swing and non-swing music.
Follow Jason on Twitter. (Don't be afraid to tweet song requests!)
DJ Sean Paul Hendrix
A musician and dancer born and raised in Jacksonville, Sean is a graduate and active alumni of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. After high school he continued his studies in music education and music performance, specializing in jazz vibes and percussion. Sean learned to dance to become a better musician, and in the sixteen years he's been dancing has found a whole new love of life.
Sean has worn through many shoes and has had the pleasure to meet and work with many Lindy Hop artists and legends, such as Frankie Manning, the Godfather of Swing. Sean will improvise a dance to anything and is known for incorporating several different styles of dance during the course of one song. He continues to enhance his lindy hop chops from other dancers and exchanges, and hopes to travel abroad in the near future.
Sean lives with his wife Ida — whom he met in high school — and three children. In addition to being an excellent swing DJ, he actively plays percussion with the Crescendo Amelia Big Bang, the First Coast Wind Ensemble, Tambor, TBA Big Band, The Chris Thomas Big Band and Tropic of Cancer. His passion is inspiring others to stretch and discover their own form of dance and love of life.
