As a caller and a dance musician who sometimes plays jazz standards for contra dances, I have found that dances that are a bit marchy (down-the-halls, single promenades, etc) and bouncier dances (lots of balances) seem to work best with swing tunes. And of
course, some square dances are written to go with swing tunes ("Just Because", etc) Conversely, very flowing, smooth dances often don't work quite as well.
That said, the nature of the swing tune is also important. Clear phrasing, singable melodies are helpful, and of course you need the 32-bar structure. Many swing tunes - like, say, "Bye Bye Blackbird", will have more of a double-time feel - that swinging, boom-chuck
rhythm. But we have also used tunes like "Autumn Leaves" which are more of a straight swing feel, more relaxed and flowing. Either, though, seems to work with bouncy and marchy dances; it's just a different vibe.
Listening to some Elixir recordings might provide some fodder for your planning.
Hope that helps, Chuck
From: Laur via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2023 5:46 PM
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Dances that go to swing dance tunes
We have a band in the area that like to play kind of a jazzy swing tune number - and as far as I can ever remember callers are more than a little surprised by the tune when it comes out because the dances don’t work with it.
I want to do is find a dance that goes with a swinging jazzy tune, and then ask them to play it when I choose that dance
I do have one dance I think might’ve been recommended here Ragtime Sammy that goes well with a rag. However I’m a little concerned it may be too dizzying.
Thought?
Any others??
Laurie Pietravalle