Live Music

Lindy Focus puts music first. Simply put, the best music creates the best dancing. We hold nothing back in bringing you quite literally the best live music we believe is possible to assemble. It starts with the bandleaders, but continues with the individual musicians (each all-stars in their own right) and continues further with the song selection itself (yes, we are known to make band set-lists months in advance). 

Main Dances

As always, the focus here is in giving you five nights of historic big band music and modern classics, featuring tributes to the greatest bandleaders and arrangements of the era and today. In past years, each night has been dedicated to a specific classic bandleader: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Chick Webb, Erskine Hawkins, Etc. This year we are highlighting the amazing bandleaders who have been building these tributes and give them all a chance to share some of their favorite tunes that have been played at Lindy Focus over the last decade. The members of The Lindy Focus Orchestra are hand-picked from around the World to join our one of a kind swing orchestra, providing you with 3 full sets of delicious tunes the evenings of December 27th-31st.
Our Main Dance Bandleaders are:

• December 27: Jonathan Stout

  • Returning to his home away from home as the leader of the Lenny Focus orchestra, Jonathan kicks us off is only he could. As the band leader who debuted each of our classic transcription concerts, no one knows this music like Jonathan does, And there's no one finer to lead us off with a selection of his favorites from the Lindy Focus transcription library.

  • The color of the day is Smoky Mountain Blue.

• December 28: Michael Gamble

  • As one of the founders of Lindy Focus, Michael's creative vision has been central to this entire organization from day-one. He has helped nurture and build this cozy community of swing enthusiasts into a true musical powerhouse, And we're thrilled to give him the spotlight and share his passion and hard work with all of us, as well as some of his favorite deep cuts.

  • The color of the day is Appalachian Brown.

• December 29: Laura Windley

  • Laura has been our primary vocalist (and legal advisor!) since the very beginning of the band leader transcription project. Over the past few years She has confudentky stepped into the shoes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, and so many other legendary singers. This year, she's going to do them all! Laura promises to bring a certain buoyancy and pep into the bandstand that only she could, along with a lot of great tunes for her (and some friends) to sing along to. 

  • The color of the day is Mint Green + Money Metals.

• December 30: Keenan McKenzie

  • Keenan has been one of the main transcribers of lost charts for Lindy Focus. He is also one of the most prolific modern swing songwriters and arrangers in our community. Last year, Keenan brought "modern classics" to our late night stage, playing all great swing music that was composed by Lindy Focus musicians in the last few years. This year: we are super sizing that idea and writing new arrangements of modern classics for our Biggest band yet,  including some brand new tunes! 

  • The color of the day is Deep Sunrise Purple.

• New Year's Eve: Jonathan Stout

  • New Year's Eve is a time of remembrance and tradition. And it just wouldn't feel traditional at Lindy Focus without Jonathan Stout ringing in the new year. The host with the most, the biggest band yet, and the best party of the year all come together.

  • The theme of the day is Chainmail and Butterflies.

Late Nights Bands

These bands are still designed to create the atmosphere and sound of historical dance bands, but here we focus often on looser, smaller groups for a more intimate (if no-less-thrilling) set of shows.  Expect to see around 8 musicians on our late night stage, providing two amazing sets of live tunes during the wee late hours of December 27th-30th. Leading the Lindy Focus Late Night Bands are:

• December 27: Keenan McKenzie presents the music of Al Cooper

  • Keenan brings back the music of Al Cooper after debuting it 2 years ago on the Lindy Focus mainstage. The "littlest big band" of our lineup, we opted to squeeze them onto our late night stage and let everyone get close and personal with the music of the Savoy Ballroom. 

• December 28: Chloe Feoranzo presents the Lindy Focus All Star Band

  • Chloe has been a mainstay at Lindy Focus for years, and for some reason we've never really set her loose to really show off everything she can do. Taking her first go as a bandleader at Lindy Focus, Chloe's set is all about celebrating femme icons and legendary women of jazz and swing, both from history and from today.

• December 29: Jonathan Stout presents the music of Charlie Christian

  • When you have the number one authority in the world on Charlie Christian's playing: you ask him to lead a Charlie Christian tribute. When you have one of the swingingest vibraphone players in the country in town: you ask them to join Charlie Christian night. When you have an audience like we have at Lindy Focus: you play the good stuff. This one is a no-brainer.

• December 30: Michael Gamble presents: Even Mellower Rhythms

  • Michael Gamble is *the* bass player at Lindy Focus, holding every band together and keeping everyone dancing all week long, and after a week of peppy numbers, barn burners, and jam circles, it's nice to play some nice and easy slow music for slow dancing. Michael will have you grooving all night long with his carefully curated collection.

Your Lindy Focus ‘25 Musicians

Barbara Laronga, Trumpet; Brandon Mitchell, Vibes; Chloe Feoranzo, Reeds; Dan Hitchcock, Reeds; Dave Kosmyna, Trumpet; Eric Heveron Smith, Trombone; Jonathan Stout, Guitar; Keenan Mckenzie, Reeds; Ken Mcgee, Trumpet; Kris Tokarski, Piano; Kris Vargas, Trumpet; Laura Windley, Vocals; Lucian Cobb, Trombone; Michael Gamble, Bass; Nathan Tokunaga, Reeds; Rienette Davis, Trombone; Riley Baker, Drums; Taryn Newborne, Vocals; Tim Christopher, Piano