Lady K and the Kings of Swing - Live at Blackhawk

Deeply entrenched in swing, immersed in the history of their craft and with years of experience as veteran jazz musicians, Lady K and the Kings of Swing is a 17-piece Frank Sinatra-style big band recreating the sounds of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Count Basie, Gershwin, Kenton, Sinatra and beyond. Headed by saxophonist Kaye Leedham, the San Francisco-based Kings of Swing exude the excitement and energy found in the tradition of historic big bands, but with a modern twist on the classics, creating a progressive and original sound. Leedham thoughtfully chooses charts showcasing her band; "I choose songs that speak to me, that have interesting chord changes for a soloist to work with, and that have a sub-melody or story that wants to be told. I'm in love with old classics; Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lorenz and Hart, Cole Porter, Ellington. They had a true sense of melody that is epic and timeless. And these classics form the perfect canvas for each soloist to tell their story." In describing the way the band works, Leedham says, "I think the band has come into it's own in the way that good friends become accustomed to each other. There's this tangible energy in the room when we run a tune down well as a band, and the soloist pulls all of us into the story. And I think the soloists really do have the horsepower to tell their stories." There are some extraordinary musical pedigrees in the band, and there is no lack for musical talent. In addition to being some of the most talented instrumentalists in the Bay Area, well over half of the musicians in the band are music teachers and professors. Members of the band have performed with such outstanding headliner entertainers as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Sammy Davis Jr.,Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Guy Lombardo, Peggy Lee, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band, Earl Hines, Paul Anka, Diane Schurr, Tex Beneke, and Phil Woods. Leedham wants to be sure to give credit the musical team she assembled. "It's a top notch band, and between recording/mixing engineers Bruce Mishkit and Eric Dannewitz, and mastering engineer Lincoln Adler, the band was in good hands from a technical aspect. The CD is a real hot house of standards, in a live, sizzling performance," In closing Leedham says, "The band is not about me; it's about the alchemy of the group's creative energy that makes this team exceptional. For most of us in the group, life without this music would create an unbearable void. It is a privilege to be a part of this celebration of big band music.". In describing the way the band works, Leedham says, "I think the band has come into it's own in the way that good friends become accustomed to each other. There's this tangible energy in the room when we run a tune down well as a band, and the soloist pulls all of us into the story. And I think the soloists really do have the horsepower to tell their stories." There are some extraordinary musical pedigrees in the band, and there is no lack for musical talent. In addition to being some of the most talented instrumentalists in the Bay Area, well over half of the musicians in the band are music teachers and professors. Members of the band have performed with such outstanding headliner entertainers as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Sammy Davis Jr.,Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Guy Lombardo, Peggy Lee, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band, Earl Hines, Paul Anka, Diane Schurr, Tex Beneke, and Phil Woods. Leedham wants to be sure to give credit the musical team she assembled. "It's a top notch band, and between recording/mixing engineers Bruce Mishkit and Eric Dannewitz, and mastering engineer Lincoln Adler, the band was in good hands from a technical aspect. The CD is a real hot house of standards, in a live, sizzling performance," In closing Leedham says, "The band is not about me; it's about the alchemy of the group's creative energy that makes this team exceptional. For most of us in the group, life without this music would create an unbearable void. It is a privilege to be a part of this celebration of big band music.".

1) All Right Ok You Win
2) My Favorite Things
3) My Foolish Heart
4) Come Fly with Me
5) Luck Be a Lady
6) Love Walked in
7) The Bare Necessities
8) Every Day I Have the Blues
9) I've Got You Under My Skin
10) I Can't Stop Loving You
11) Love for Sale
12) Pennies from Heaven
13) Where or When
14) You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to
15) Shiny Stockings
16) Body and Soul
17) How High the Moon