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Recorded live at Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York on May 26, 1999.
George Gee leads a solid, second-level big band in the New York area that was helped along by the popularity of retro-swing in the mid- to late '90s. At this live concert, Gee's orchestra, along with Count Basie's orchestra, helped celebrate the 85th birthday of famous dancer Frankie Manning at the Roseland Ballroom. Oddly enough, many of the songs that Gee's band plays are associated with Basie (including "Blues for Stephanie," "Smack Dab in the Middle," "Basie Boogie," "Blues in Hoss' Flat," and "Everyday I Have the Blues") despite the fact that the Basie band would soon be performing. The Gee orchestra displays good musicianship in general, although the clarinet solo on "Roll 'Em" is woefully out of tune. Carla Cook is in excellent form vocalizing on "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "Pennies From Heaven," there are some decent (if not distinctive) solos heard along the way, and George Gee & His Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra show plenty of spirit. Throughout "Stompin' at the Savoy," Manning is heard calling out instructions to the dancers; on record it comes across as distracting and annoying, although it might mean something to people who actually were at the concert. The George Gee big band obviously pleases dancers, although jazz-wise one wishes it was more original. ~ Scott Yanow
live recording captures an adrenaline-filled evening of hot swing music at the Roseland Ballroom in May 1999, celebrating the 85th birthday of swing legend Frankie Manning - Gee has been a mainstay on the New York scene & is surrounded by a cavalcade of
Personnel: Lance Bryant (vocals, tenor saxophone); Walt Szymanski (vocals, trumpet); Carla Cook (vocals); Ed Pazant (clarinet, alto saxophone); Mark Gross (alto saxophone); Eugene Ghee (tenor saxophone); Alex Harding (baritone saxophone); Evan Barker, Derrick Gardner, Steve Wiseman (trumpet); Brian Bonvissuto, Robert Trowers, Charles Stephens (trombone); Jack Jeffers (bass trombone); Rick Germanson (piano); Willard Dyson (drums).
Audio Mixer: James Madison .
Liner Note Author: Alan D. Sugarman.
Recording information: Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY (05/26/1999).
Photographer: Clement Kois.
Unknown Contributor Role: Frankie Manning.
Arrangers: Walt Szymanski; Lance Bryant.
Personnel: George Gee (leader); Lance Bryant (vocals, tenor saxophone); Walt Szymanski (vocals, trumpet); Carla Cook (vocals); Ed Pazant (alto saxophone, clarinet); Mark Gross (alto saxophone); Alex Harding (baritone saxophone); Steve Wiseman, Evan Barker, Derrick Gardner (trumpet); Charles Stephens, Brian Bonvissuto, Robert Trowers (trombone); Jack Jeffers (bass trombone); Rick Germanson (piano); Matt Hughes (bass); Willard Dyson (drums).
Producers: Alan Sugarman, Walt Szymanski, George Gee.
George Gee & His Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra - Swingin' Away Songs
| 1 | Take the "a" Train | | | |
| 2 | Intro to Blues | | | |
| 3 | Blues for Stephanie See All 2 | | | |
| 4 | Smack Dab in the Middle  | | | |
| 5 | Basie Boogie | | | |
| 6 | Let the Good Times Roll See All 2 | | | |
| 7 | She's Never Satisfied | | | |
| 8 | Roll 'em | | | |
| 9 | Four Five Six | | | |
| 10 | Lady Is A Tramp | | | |
| 11 | Pennies From Heaven | | | |
| 12 | 720 In the Books | | | |
| 13 | Every Day I Have the Blues | | | |
| 14 | Blues In Hoss' Flat | | | |
| 15 | Continental | | | |
| 16 | Wednesday Night Hop | | | |
| 17 | Stompin' At The Savoy | | | |
Swingin' Away Review
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