Two-column Staggered Body

SWING SPEAK Real Music for Real People

"The good energy of Swing Speak's performance was instrumental in transforming the day and creating an upbeat festival environment. All of you are clearly masters of your instruments." Michael Thornton, Festival Director, Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival

Photo credit: Rob Howe
Swing Speak
Twelve years ago, after decades of backing a legion of top local and national performers, four of Washington's finest sidemen stepped into the spotlight to form Swing Speak. Their dream was to have a band in which they could express the full range of their musical experience. The musical chemistry and maturity of those early performances has evolved into something that is both distinctive and exhilarating.
Swing Speak’s early repertoire centered around the swing and standards of the 1930’s and 1940’s, but their musical range soon expanded to include the full range of the American jazz repertoire, including a hearty dose of Latin and rhythm & blues. In this era of techno pop and hype, they make music the old fashion way: with a strong melodic content and deft musical skill. The success of this formula has gained them the admiration of their peers, plus a loyal following on both the jazz concert and swing dance circuit. The members of Swing Speak are:

Steve Wolf, bassist, has been a fixture on the Washington music scene since the late 60s. During that time he has performed throughout the United States and Europe with such D.C. area notables as Danny Gatton, Tom Principato, The Nighthawks, Cathy Ponton-King, Catfish Hodge, Deanna Bogart, Bob Margolin, Linwood Taylor, Ron Holloway, Big Joe Maher, Jessie Yawn, and a diverse group of national artists ranging from Chuck Berry, The Coasters and Bo Diddly to Doctor John, Brian Auger and sax man Clarence Clemmons. His well respected work in the blues arena has led him to back Chicago blues legends Sunnyland Slim, Pine Top Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Guitar Junior, and many others. Steve has also garnered an impressive list of recording credits as both a performer and producer.

Bruce Swaim, saxophonist, has since moving to the D.C. area from North Carolina in 1981, solidly established himself as one the "first call" elite on his instrument. He is a regular in area recording studios and recently appeared on the Black Entertainment Network's Jazz Central program with drummer Carl Allen. His impressive resume also includes performances with: Tom Principato, Junior Cline, Danny Gatton, Cathy Ponton-King, Hot Jazz, The Spinners, Millie Jackson, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Washington jazz legend, Keeter Betts.

Barry Hart is everybody's favorite drummer. A technical master, he is as much fun to watch as he is to listen to. His solid work has landed him gigs with, just to name a few: The Tommy Dorsey Band, The Ink Spots, Bob Hope, Cab Calloway, O. C. Smith, Lou Rawls, The Drifters and Little Anthony and The Imperials. Since Barry and Steve (Wolf) first played together while backing Danny Gatton, they have both sought out every opportunity to continue practicing their brand of rhythm section magic. Barry was quick to sign on when Swing Speak was formed.

| Back to the Top | Back To Home Page |

E-mail Swing Speak

	Photo credit: Rob Howe Swing Speak Twelve years ago, after decades of backing a legion of top local and national performers, four of Washington's finest sidemen stepped into the spotlight to form Swing Speak. Their dream was to have a band in which they could express the full range of their musical experience. The musical chemistry and maturity of those early performances has evolved into something that is both distinctive and exhilarating. Swing Speak’s early repertoire centered around the swing and standards of the 1930’s and 1940’s, but their musical range soon expanded to include the full range of the American jazz repertoire, including a hearty dose of Latin and rhythm & blues. In this era of techno pop and hype, they make music the old fashion way: with a strong melodic content and deft musical skill. The success of this formula has gained them the admiration of their peers, plus a loyal following on both the jazz concert and swing dance circuit. The members of Swing Speak are:
		Steve Wolf, bassist, has been a fixture on the Washington music scene since the late 60s. During that time he has performed throughout the United States and Europe with such D.C. area notables as Danny Gatton, Tom Principato, The Nighthawks, Cathy Ponton-King, Catfish Hodge, Deanna Bogart, Bob Margolin, Linwood Taylor, Ron Holloway, Big Joe Maher, Jessie Yawn, and a diverse group of national artists ranging from Chuck Berry, The Coasters and Bo Diddly to Doctor John, Brian Auger and sax man Clarence Clemmons. His well respected work in the blues arena has led him to back Chicago blues legends Sunnyland Slim, Pine Top Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Guitar Junior, and many others. Steve has also garnered an impressive list of recording credits as both a performer and producer.
	Bruce Swaim, saxophonist, has since moving to the D.C. area from North Carolina in 1981, solidly established himself as one the "first call" elite on his instrument. He is a regular in area recording studios and recently appeared on the Black Entertainment Network's Jazz Central program with drummer Carl Allen. His impressive resume also includes performances with: Tom Principato, Junior Cline, Danny Gatton, Cathy Ponton-King, Hot Jazz, The Spinners, Millie Jackson, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Washington jazz legend, Keeter Betts.
		Barry Hart is everybody's favorite drummer. A technical master, he is as much fun to watch as he is to listen to. His solid work has landed him gigs with, just to name a few: The Tommy Dorsey Band, The Ink Spots, Bob Hope, Cab Calloway, O. C. Smith, Lou Rawls, The Drifters and Little Anthony and The Imperials. Since Barry and Steve (Wolf) first played together while backing Danny Gatton, they have both sought out every opportunity to continue practicing their brand of rhythm section magic. Barry was quick to sign on when Swing Speak was formed.