Musicians
Savoy Dance swing band
We have been lucky enough to work with Dan McLean (trumpet), Damian Slingsby (keys and vocals) and Steve Richards (drums) for the entire 10 years Savoy Dance has been hosting social nights. In the early years, they were joined by bassist James Luke, and in the last 2 years, Chris Pound. In celebrating Savoy Dance turning 10, we acknowledge and thank these incredible musicians. Each have their own long lists of credentials from anchoring cruise ship bands to releasing albums with internationals, to running music departments in tertiary institutions. They've all been playing for dancers for nearly two decades and are sure to keep the floor jumping on Friday and Saturday night main events!
Georgia Brooks
Vocalist Georgia Brooks has been impressing audiences for years in the Melbourne jazz scene with her soulful ballads and lively upbeat swing. Whilst learning her operatic arias by day learning classical voice at at the Melbourne Con, Georgia became obsessed with the music of swing and jazz by night, learning to swing dance and becoming a prominent dancer, performer and teacher on the Melbourne swing dance scene. Finally, her two passions combined and Georgia began to sit in with bands around Melbourne and eventually started her own band (with drummer Sean Loughran) The Georgia Brooks Swingtet. In 2018, the Swingtet launched their debut album ‘With Thee I Swing’ at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Georgia now plays regularly around Melbourne and Geelong, as well as appearing with her band at dance events such as Blues Before Sunrise, Melbourne Swing Festival, Slowdown and Southern Blues.
Moondog Blues Band
feat. Last Call
Blues powerhouse Moondog performs solo as a one-man band and is front-man of the Moondog Blues Band. He’s a master of the blues harmonica and a formidable guitarist/ singer/ songwriter. He shares songs and stories of his many journeys into the heartland of the Blues, where he spent over 10 years exploring juke joints, speak easy and blues bar from Chicago through to St Louis, Memphis, Mississippi, New Orleans, Nashville and parts of Texas. In 2015 he represented Bridgetown Blues at the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN and in 2016 he performed at Chicago Bluesfest in the Windy City Blues Society stage.”
The Moondog Blues Band will be anchoring the Saturday night after-party with incredible musicians from Last Call, Claudia Tetreault-Percy and Liam James.
Savoy 10 DJs
Loz Yee
Loz brings enthusiasm and joie de vivre to her dancing and DJing. She has DJ'd at many local social nights and major events in Australia and Internationally. Loz is a fan of all things swing and it's her number one goal to keep your toes tapping and your fingers snapping!
Squee - we're in for a treat!
Sarah Wheaton
Sarah Wheaton has been a central figure in Melbourne's vibrant swing scene for over 20 years, earning a reputation as one of the scene’s most dynamic and sought-after swing DJs. With a deep passion for the music & culture of the swing era - Sarah’s DJing delivers a wide range of swinging jazz ensuring the dance floor is kept full all night.
She’s DJed all over Australia as well as internationally at some of the USA’s biggest events, so you know you’re in for a treat!
Sarah is super excited to DJ at Savoy Dance 10!
Julia Wharington
When Julia stepped onto a social dance floor full of swing dancers for the first time in 2008, it was love at first sight. The dancing, the energy, the pure joy coming from the crowd, all brought on by the most wonderful music. She was immediately drawn to being the one behind the decks, trying to bring those joyous smiles onto the dancers’ faces.
Julia has since Dj’ed at countless events all around Australia (and a few gigs overseas). Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Shag, you name it, she’ll find the right songs. She likes to read the room, taking the dancers on a ride through various tempos and styles. Her favourite tunes usually feature clarinet or piano, or a big fat driving rhythm, and most likely some Duke Ellington, because he rocks! Well, swings... you know what she means!
From Julia - “I’m looking forward to playing lots of fun tunes for you all at Savoy Dance 10! Don't be shy, come and say hello!”
