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The Campus Five's Third Album!

Another platter of superbly danceable, rare and unique small group swing gems. Starting again with the classic small group sounds of the Benny Goodman Sextet, the album begins with “Wholly Cats” and also features the Basie-Goodman composition “Gone with ‘What’ Wind.” The album also features tunes from lesser-known small groups of the 30’s and 40’s – Lionel Hampton’s “Royal Family”, Charlie Ventura’s “C.V. Jam”, and Sir Charles Thompson’s “Rhythm Itch.” Hilary sings on Peggy Lee’s "I Don’t Know Enough About You" and Anita O'Day’s "As Long As I Live" and “Just a Little Bit South of North Carolina”, as well as our versions of “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Swing, Brother, Swing.” Jim Ziegler lends his voice to Lionel Hampton’s "Judy". The title track, Fats Waller’s 1943 classic “Moppin’ and Boppin’” features vintage drumming master Josh Collazo. The Campus Five goes to town on our versions of "It Don’t Mean a Thing" (a one-take jam session) and "Bugle Call Rag" (inspired by the 1944 Jazz at the Philharmonic Version).

As on our previous records, the album was recorded by vintage-jazz extraordinaire Dick Hamilton at his studio, the Doing, using vintage RCA 44 microphones to capture the traditional sound of classic small group swing. "Moppin’ and Boppin’" features Los Angeles' best swing musicians, including Tenor Saxophonist and Clarinetist Albert Alva, Trumpeter and Vocalist Jim Ziegler, Pianist Christopher Dawson, Bassist Wally Hersom, and Vintage-Jazz drumming phoneme Josh Collazo.

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Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander is the nation’s premier swing dance band. Showcasing the small-group sound of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, the Campus Five is the most danceable swing band anywhere. The 7-piece Campus Five captures the true sound of the Swing-era, with all the energy and excitement that inspired millions to dance. Influences include the Benny Goodman Sextet, Artie Shaw's Grammercy Five, Count Basie's Kansas City Six, and the Harlem-based small groups of Illinois Jacquet, Cootie Williams, Coleman Hawkins, and Hot Lips Page.

Both founders (Hilary and Jonathan) have been dedicated Swing dancers for over 20 years, and the relationship between Swing music and Swing dance informs all aspects of the Campus Five. Song selection, tempo, song length and feel are all chosen with danceability in mind. The Campus Five’s albums are favorites of Swing DJs and Swing Dance Instructors all over the globe. The Campus Five have been featured at many of the premier Swing dance events around the world, and are known for their unparalleled competition music, which inspires dancers to new heights.

The Campus Five has been featured on ABC's "The Bachelorette" (2016), and on Warner Brothers TV's "Ellen" (2004).

Here’s a partial list of the swing dance events the Campus Five have been featured at around the world:
Frankie 95 (NYC)
Camp Hollywood / National Jitterbug Championship (Los Angeles)
International Lindy Hop Championships (Washington, DC)
Lindy Focus (Asheville, NC)
Lindy Blossom Weekend (Seoul, S. Korea)
London Balboa Festival (London, UK)
Great Southwest Lindyfest (Houston)
Camp Jitterbug (Seattle)
Inspiration Weekend (Orange, CA)
All Balboa Weekend (Cleveland)
Beantown Swing Camp (Boston)
DCLX (Washington, DC)
Stompology (Rochester, NY)
Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout (Denver)

Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander is one of the world's premier swing dance bands. Showcasing the small-group sound of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, the Campus Five is the most danceable swing band anywhere. The 7-piece Campus Five captures the true sound of the Swing-era, with all the energy and excitement that inspired millions to dance.

1. campusfive.com
2. Facebook