"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...." The story goes Duke Ellington wrote and arranged what would become a Swing musical anthem in 1931 during intermissions at the Lincoln Tavern in Chicago with lyrics contributed by Irving Mills. Ellington claimed the song's title was the credo of trumpeter James "Bubber" Miley, who was dying of tuberculosis at the time. The song was recorded and released the following year; the same year Miley died.
At the time, "swing" was an expression used by jazz musicians to express particular music rhythms and what we might call a kind of "musical vibe." Swing evolved from the Jazz era of the 1920s and became the nation's musical heartbeat in the 1930s and 1940s. During the formidable years of the Great Depression and WWII, swing and Big Band culture revolutionized music, dance, and fashion while having a lasting effect on American culture. It was a new form of self-expression that young people embraced, becoming the soundtrack for a generation that, decades later, continues to move us. It broke down social barriers and influenced later musical styles and musicians.
On August 8th, step back in time and enjoy the nostalgia of the music of yesteryear at the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village with the Jeff Solon Swing'n Big Band. This seemingly simple song is rooted in a complex era of racial segregation, deadly communicable diseases like tuberculosis - which helped shape western migration, prohibition, economic struggles, and the beauty of human resilience expressed through the joy of music. It's part of our shared history, and our museum is here to help us connect with that history. Our summer music concerts are an engaging way to make history come alive as we time travel to days gone by.
Jeff Solon has led this traditional swing’n dance band since 1993. Solon is a self-taught musician, who plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, harmonica, and piano. He is immersed in the music of jazz as a soloist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher. He began his professional musical adventure as a street performer, playing his way through Central and South America (1980–1985), and has continually performed extensively throughout the southwest since 1985, with his duets, groups, and 8-piece swing band. He has been a yearly grant recipient (1993–2020) from the Durango Friends of the Arts for his public school assemblies and workshops, and has won several awards from the Colorado Council on the Arts, and The Fort Lewis College Foundation. He has led three tours for the U.S. Embassy in Latin America, produced and released 16 recordings, and teaches jazz studies at Fort Lewis College.
“I am thrilled to be leading this band, arranging the music, and keeping this great era of music alive for dancing and listening," shares Mr. Solon. The band features Drea Pressley, vocals; Joe Nibley, trumpet; Justin Hubbard, alto sax; Will Bridges, trombone; Jack Maynes, piano; Elle Rio, bass; John O’Neal, drums; and band leader Jeff Solon, tenor and baritone sax, harmonica. The band's set list includes song book favorites from the early- and mid-20th century.
The Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village is thrilled to welcome back Jeff and the band for our Music at the Museum Concert Series. Please enter via the west gate by the Aztec Splash Pad off Park Ave. Gate opens at 6:30pm. Service animals only, please. This concert is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation, New Mexico Music Commission, Northwest New Mexico Arts Council and all of our 2025 Sponsors. The museum's volunteer artistic director for Music at the Museum concerts is Hoyle Osborne.
For more information, contact: 505-334-9829.
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