Swing That Music - 120 Seconds of Jazz Party Images & Jake Hanna

A two minute romp through “Swing That Music” from 1994 with accompanying imagery from the West Texas Jazz Party. The drummer on this track is the late Jake Hanna. What a great timekeeper!

In preparing the documentary on West Texas Jazz Parties, I am rarely surprised at the level of musicianship in most performances. But Jake Hanna was a one-of-a-kind drummer, and the energy he applies to this song is infectious. This snippet is only two minutes out of seven minutes and 15 seconds where Jake takes command.

This is Swing that Music, live from the 1994 Odessa Jazz Party, courtesy of the West Texas Jazz Society. If you like swing music, this little ditty is a great representation. And something I didn't know - Swing That Music was written by Louis Armstrong to accompany his first autobiography of the same name, published in 1936. The book was advertised in 1936 as "the first standard book in English on the new Swing Music." It was also the first jazz musician autobiography.

The Song? It's what you might call a "flag-waver."

These images were collected as a part of a documentary about the 50-year-old event, which celebrates its Golden Anniversary on May 20-22, 2016 in Odessa, Texas. Musicians featured in this video include Bucky Pizzarelli, Randy Sandke, Dan Barrett, Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Randy Reinhart, Ed Polcer, Allen Vache’, Warren Vache, Chuck Redd, Joel Forbes, John Allred, Bill Allred, Tony Tedesco, Chuck Riggs, Johnny Varro, Mark Neuenschwander, Frank Tate, Nicki Parrott, Rebecca Kilgore, Eddie Erickson and Scott Robinson.

This is literally a look at the people who tell the story of the West Texas Jazz Parties over 50 years, from stills of the upcoming documentary. Viewing from left to right, top to bottom: Ken Peplowski; Johnny Varro; Rebecca Kilgore; Bobbie Crues (1935-2015); Dan Barrett; Dean Baker; Randy Sandke (inset Billy Butterfield 1917-1988 and Milt Hinton 1910-2000); Ken Peplowski and Harry Allen; Dee and Mark Griffin; Musicians' hands; Lisa DiLeo; Al White and Robert Nixon (1926-2013). Thanks to all the musicians and local fans who donated their time and their stories.

This year, the jazz party is May 20-22 in Odessa at the MCM Elegante Hotel, and features all of the musicians pictured still living, as well as the other artists scheduled to appear: Rossano Sportiello, piano; Ed Polcer, cornet; Warren Vaché, cornet; John Allred, trombone; Houston Person, tenor sax; Allan Vaché, clarinet; John Cocuzzi, piano and vibes; Nicki Parrott, bass and vocals; Frank Tate, bass; Joel Forbes, bass; Chuck Redd, drums and vibes; Butch Miles, drums; Tony Tedesco, drums; Eddie Erickson, guitar and vocals; Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar (he has been ill, but is not ruled out yet) and Rebecca Kilgore, vocals.