Battle of the Bands

Last night was a long, wonderful swing dance hosted at MIT as part of the Boston IndepenDANCE Exchange. I had a lot of great dances with locals and out-of-towners alike. And with two great bands playing live music and so many incredible lindy hoppers out on the floor... The $20 entry fee was definitely worth it! What a fun event.
 
 
But my favorite find of the weekend has got to be the song "Battle Royal," originally recorded by the great rival orchestras of the original Big Band era: Duke Ellington and Count Basie. My knowledge of swing and jazz music is woefully limited anyway, but it was so incredible hearing the White Heat Swing Orchestra and Beantown Swing battle back and forth for the whole night and then conclude with this great song.

Here's the original recording. Mandatory listening.