Jazz Art

How to build/find a jazz(primarily swing) scene?

I am a drummer, and swing is my favorite style to play. I can’t find a jazz scene where I live, I’ve been looking. I find a few little shows here and there, but they’re more of the “art jazz and wine” fests, where people go because they’re bored, and need something to do for a weekend.
I’m sort of a street rat, I walk around a tri-city area regularly. I walk like 2-3 miles from where I live. I haven’t found one club. I know where there are some, but they are too far, and I have no money for BART (subway/metro).
I really want a jazz scene in my area, and not a “zoo” jazz scene, where you hire a pianist and a drummer with brushes on snare to play at a wedding, simply because jazz is “sophisticated”. I mean a loud, upbeat, energetic, people dancing, no seats, no suits. Just a bunch of people having a great time.
I’m 15, and am broke, live in a poor area (everyone else here is broke), know no one who likes jazz, and just want to have a good time. Please help me?

BART huh? That means you live in the Bay Area, correct?

There may not be something within walking distance to you, but the bay area is teaming with swing! It’s one of the best spots in the country to be if you’re into swing.

Now to find where the bands are, you have to find where the dancers are (i.e. the Lindy Hoppers). This webiste has a list of pretty much all of the venues in the Bay Area:

http://www.lindylist.com/

Now, I recommend you try making friends with the dancers. They’re normally very friendly, and if you find one in your area, you might be able to convince them to give you a lift to an event they’re going to. Try posting on the SanFran Swing Dance Community Forum:

http://www.swingtalk.com/

I highly recommend you check out some of the top bands that are based in San Francisco:

Stompy Jones:

http://www.stompyjones.com/

Lavay Smith:

http://lavaysmith.com/home.html

Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums

http://www.luckylounge.com/

There are many more swing bands, big bands, and hot jazz bands based in the Bay Area that you should also discover as you check out the events going on.

I hope that helps!

Best of Luck.

Abstract Jazz art by Mark Kazav

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