Time: 52:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front
01. Eccentric (3:20)
02. Blue Interlude (4:27)
03. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music (3:59)
04. I Would Do Anything For You (3:22)
05. What Is This Thing Called Love (4:56)
06. Shake That Thing (3:51)
07. Weary Blues (5:27)
08. I Know That You Know (3:43)
09. Sweet Substitute (6:20)
10. Mop Mop (4:53)
11. Hampton Stomp (3:41)
12. If You Only Knew (4:27)
Hoppin’ Mad was formed, as these things often are, by seizing an opportunity. Simon Stribling was asked to put together something amazing for the Vancouver Jazz Dance Festival in November 2012. This is a swing dance festival attended primarily by young, energetic fans that know their music and really feed off the energy of a great band. Simon had been dreaming of working with his local Canadian favourites and his American idols in the same project for some time, so took the opportunity to invite up two international stars from California, Dan Barrett and Clint Baker. Simon’s regular hard core swinging Canadians Evan Arntzen, Georgia Korba, Josh Roberts and Lauri Lyster rounded out the band. Simon is actually the "odd one out", originating as he does from Australia.
Hoppin’ Mad played their first gig to a packed house on Sunday November 11th, 2012. The sweaty and spirited swing dancers were going crazy to say the least! Following this memorable gig was a two day stint in the studio to record a primarily live CD. The music flowed, thanks largely to Dan Barrett for his inspirational impromptu arrangements, and also for his wealth of charts that suited the band down to a tee. It was a great few days and this CD captures the essence of it, the fun, the camaraderie, the incredible musicianship and versatility and the great love of the style.
‘How did you get the name Hoppin' Mad’ you may ask? That is a simple and true story, as these things often are. One of Simon’s jazz heroes and mentors, Ade Monsbourgh, resided in London in the early 1950's with the Graeme Bell Jazz Band from Australia. Ade recorded a bunch of sides with the English trumpet legend Humphrey ‘Humph’ Liddleton. Humph wrote a tune about the Aussie invasion in London during this time. The tune was called Hoppin’ Mad. The name has always tickled Simon’s fancy, and when this fervent bunch let loose at the festival and during the recording session over the next two days, the name seemed obvious! The band is pumped and is focusing on the new generation of jazz fans all around the world, the swing dancers! There is a definite renaissance of jazz and swing going on here, like the ‘Hoppin' Mad’ era of the early 1950's in London, where the Graeme Bell band from Australia was working 6 nights a week playing at swing dance clubs. Hoppin’ Mad pays tribute to these early eras and relishes in the opportunity to see a resurgence of love for this great music.
Hoppin’ Mad played their first gig to a packed house on Sunday November 11th, 2012. The sweaty and spirited swing dancers were going crazy to say the least! Following this memorable gig was a two day stint in the studio to record a primarily live CD. The music flowed, thanks largely to Dan Barrett for his inspirational impromptu arrangements, and also for his wealth of charts that suited the band down to a tee. It was a great few days and this CD captures the essence of it, the fun, the camaraderie, the incredible musicianship and versatility and the great love of the style.
‘How did you get the name Hoppin' Mad’ you may ask? That is a simple and true story, as these things often are. One of Simon’s jazz heroes and mentors, Ade Monsbourgh, resided in London in the early 1950's with the Graeme Bell Jazz Band from Australia. Ade recorded a bunch of sides with the English trumpet legend Humphrey ‘Humph’ Liddleton. Humph wrote a tune about the Aussie invasion in London during this time. The tune was called Hoppin’ Mad. The name has always tickled Simon’s fancy, and when this fervent bunch let loose at the festival and during the recording session over the next two days, the name seemed obvious! The band is pumped and is focusing on the new generation of jazz fans all around the world, the swing dancers! There is a definite renaissance of jazz and swing going on here, like the ‘Hoppin' Mad’ era of the early 1950's in London, where the Graeme Bell band from Australia was working 6 nights a week playing at swing dance clubs. Hoppin’ Mad pays tribute to these early eras and relishes in the opportunity to see a resurgence of love for this great music.
Hoppin' Mad