While Toronto is home to a countless number of legendary and talented jazz musicians who have played for our swing dancers, it was impossible to have all of them be part of this weekend. We are grateful to have the lineup that we have for TLX2025.
The incomparable Solomon Douglas and members of his New York City-based band headlines an amazing lineup of SEVEN bands!
EVENT HEADLINER
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Solomon Douglas
DETAILS
This New York City-based group was founded in September of 2014 by Toronto-born pianist and composer Solomon Douglas, whose various bands have played at hundreds of swing dance and music festivals in North America, Asia, and Australia in the past 25 years. You’ll hear and feel the evidence of his experience as a swing dancer and dance instructor in the band’s deeply swinging groove.
Swing Toronto’s Take: Have you done the Big Apple routine? If so, chances are you’ve done it to arguably the most popular modern-day recording of it, which was by Solomon’s band!
Big Apple Contest – Solomon Douglas Swingtet
For the OGs of our scene, we all know Solomon formerly as a popular Toronto-based competitive Lindy Hop Champion winner who is also an amazing pianist! This means that he knows how to play for swing dancers better than most. He was a tour de force in the Lindy Exchange circuit, having played at countless events and remains a well-respected figure in the Lindy world.
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
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WHEN
Saturday, October 4
7:30pm – 11:30pm
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Solomon Douglas
DETAILS
A smaller version of Solomon’s Heptet, his quartet will feature the NYC musicians from his Heptet.
We could wax poetic on Solomon, but we’ll spare you… all you need to do is read his Heptet bio above.
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
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WHEN
Sunday, October 5
2:30pm – 6:00pm
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Aleksandr Valuiskikh & Dina Waluyo
DETAILS
A modern 5-piece swing combo inspired by the vintage sound of the 20s-40s. Co-leaders and Lindy hoppers Dina & Sasha (Aleksandr) deliver music they’d love to dance to.
Swing Toronto’s Take: A relatively newer band in Toronto’s Lindy Hop scene, they are popular with our dancers and often draw large crowds to our dances.
Many out-of-town and experienced dances may also recognize Dina & Sasha as prolifically successful competitors in the Lindy Hop & Balboa world.
DETAILS
Friday, October 3
6:00pm – 11:30pm
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
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DJ’d music during band breaks.
with Alisha Oliver
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Peter Hill
DETAILS
Toronto is full of great musicians…So abundant is our wealth that certain players get lost in the publicity shuffle – particularly the sidemen, and especially the humble ones. One such unsung hero is pianist Peter Hill, frequently an accompanist to Toronto treasures such as Laura Hubert and Alex Pangman, as well as hundreds of singers at a popular jazz open mic, Lisa Particelli’s “Girls Night Out (where gentlemen are welcome too)” for over a decade now…
You can absorb the rest of Ori Dagan’s wonderful interview with Peter Hill here!
Swing Toronto’s Take: Peter is another amazing longtime musician who has played for our scene for almost two decades now. In our eyes, he’s a giant in the jazz scene, and yet, he remains humble and easygoing after all these years. He’s a delight to our dancers, and always gracious in accepting our invites to play for us.
DETAILS
Friday, October 3
11:30pm – 2:30am
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news about our dances, workshops, courses, and events! You can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you.
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Nat Beja
DETAILS
Viper’s Cloud is a Toronto based Gypsy Jazz collective curating traditional Eastern European music, 1940’s hot jazz and swing music in the style of famous Romani-French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Swing Toronto’s Take: Led by guitarist Nat Beja, Viper’s Cloud is a favourite band of Toronto’s Lindy Hoppers, Balboa dancers and Collegiate Shaggers. They are followed around the city by our dancers like fervent Hot Club de France members!
WHEN
Saturday, October 4
1:30pm – 5:00pm
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news about our dances, workshops, courses, and events! You can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you.
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Toby Hughes
DETAILS
Toby writes: “I play alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. I am constantly searching for new ways to play free.* Born in Ottawa and raised in Toronto. Studied clarinet and saxophone at Northern Secondary School.”
” *Not for free.”
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
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Swing Toronto’s Take: Toby is another OG musician of our Lindy scene and arguably may have played the most for us, out of all musicians that have come through our doors. He is also prolific in the Toronto jazz scene, being a permanent member or lead of at least a half-dozen bands that play jazz and other genres. We are delighted to have Toby and his band play swingin’ tunes for us at TLX2025!
WHEN
Saturday, October 4
11:30pm – 2:30am
DJ’d music during band breaks.
BAND LEADER(s)
Swing Dance Beginner Lesson
Teachers: TBA
Lesson included with admission.
12:15pm – 1:25pm
Shannon Butcher
DETAILS
Shannon Butcher is an acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She charms audiences with her joyful wit and warm energy – her performances capturing the unique spirit of each song while also celebrating the playful nature of jazz.
She has toured across Canada, including performances at Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, Montreal’s Upstairs Jazz and the major jazz festivals in Ontario. She has performed across The United States and in England.
Shannon has released five albums under her own label Summer Bloom Records, her first album earning an iTunes’ Best New Jazz Artist of the Year award. In addition to her solo work, she has performed and recorded with Swing Rosie – an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio – as well as the folk quartet Samways, which released its self-titled debut album in 2021.
Swing Toronto’s Take: Shannon’s band is a longtime favourite in Toronto’s Lindy Hop scene. Prior to the Choice Cuts, Shannon sang in Swing Rosie, an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio. She tells us that she loves to perform for our dancers!
WHEN
Sunday, October 5
6:15pm – 10:30pm
with the Drew Jurecka Jazz Manouche Ensemble
SWING TORONTO NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news about our dances, workshops, courses, and events! You can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you.
