SwingOrama Forum

SwingOrama Forum: Music: Bands: Uptown Boys

By Shawn Hanna on Monday, July 26, 1999 - 11:39 am: Edit

This was sent to me. I look forward to seeing them perform!

**************************************

This is Carlos Rull... former drummer of Big Time Operator. After spending almost three years driving the BTO band from the drummer's chair, I had left the band amidst rumor and controversy... I had been accused of having problems with mytempo and after two and a half years, and seeing the band rise fromlocal
swing hackers to a definite presence in the California swingscene and beyond, I feel that it's time (and per strong recommendations)to form
my own swing band as bandleader.

Anyway, the goal for me now is to KEEP SWINGIN'... I did it before with BTO and I can do it again with my own band! So here we are! Forming yet another swing band, but this time,
stepping away from the Neo-Swing deluge of bands and stepping into the real swing and jazz of that Golden Era!

Uptown Boys is coming to a venue near you... and we're already booked for some gigs:August 21, Saturday ~ Tio Leo's (opening for Candye Kane)
August 28, Saturday ~ The Juke Joint Cafe ~ Gaslamp Quarter October 1, Friday ~ Tio Leo's
We're looking for more venues where we can perform our brand of swing.

Please help us promote our current schedule of shows, and if possible, please recommend us to venues you might have an affiliation with....
help us spread the word!

The swing scene can continue to thrive, as long as there is some "new blood" injected into the revival to keep things fresh and lively.

By Swiveler on Monday, July 26, 1999 - 02:46 pm: Edit

Wow, that sounds cool. Someone please tell Carlos, (or get Carlos' email address on here) to give Swivel a call or email, I'd love to hear what they have in store for SD!!!

By stopkickingme on Monday, August 16, 1999 - 07:07 pm: Edit

The Uptown Boys will be opening for Candye Kane this Saturday at Tio Leo's. Don't forget to go out and support them!

By Anonymous on Tuesday, August 17, 1999 - 12:33 pm: Edit

The Backstreet Boys??

By Anonymous on Tuesday, September 07, 1999 - 11:58 pm: Edit

Hey! Who has listened to the Uptown Boys? How do they sound?

By Swiveler on Wednesday, September 08, 1999 - 08:27 am: Edit

Well, anonymous, who are you Carlos, posing as Anonymous? Anyway, I wrote my review under the Marriot heading.

I'll reiterate for you:

Good Musicians
Not Swing, but Jazz (do we really need another Jazz band?)
Too long of songs
Odd, slow Jump Blues renditions
Solos in odd places
Good Voice on lead singer
Good horns

By Meeshii on Wednesday, September 08, 1999 - 09:22 pm: Edit

Tam--

I'm glad you brought up some of your concerns regarding the Uptown Boys' music last Saturday. I can always count on you to initiate fruitful dialogue. Believe it or not, the music
was a lot more "jazzy" than even I expected. Tam, I agree with most of your criticisms. Yes, some of their songs were way too long and "Ain't Nobody There But Us Chickens" doesn't sound quite right in a laid-back, late 50's bluesy
feel. But all in all, I really thought the band did a great job playing for the dancers considering that they have only been together for LESS THAN A MONTH.

When I first talked to Carlos about playing at the Marriott a month ago, I was excited to hear about his ideas about re-creating a 1930's Kansas City swing/jazz/blues band just like in the movie "Kansas City". But when I received their
demo tape from him, I was disappointed to find that they sounded just like BTO. I called him back and let him listen to some of my favorite Kansas City-style dance music from Count Basie to Joe Williams to Jimmy Witherspoon to Big Joe
Turner. And then I opened my big mouth and made a sweeping generalization without considering the musical preferences of the HW/DC stylers (sorry?), "You know, us Hoppers, prefer to dance to that groovier, slower stuff".

So, Tam, tack the blame on me for their slower, "jazzy" sound that evening. I take full responsibility. But you know what, they may have gone overboard a little on the jazz/bop music, but I was definitely impressed with how responsive Nathan and Carlos were to my musical suggestions.

They do NOT sound like BTO anymore.

Remember, the Uptown Boys are a brand new band with a developing sound and style that is still a "work in progress." Tam, I don't think Jazz and Swing are mutually exclusive entities. I think YOU CAN teach a good Jazz band to Swing, and Nathan and Carlos (unlike many musicians) are willing to hear some constructive feedback on how to better
please the dancers.

So here's my two cents worth. I know their songs were way too long, probably because they currently don't have enough tunes to fill up a 3-hour set. But as they continue to expand their repertoire, I think they should include more
upbeat 30's standards like the versions of "Undecided" and "Moten Swing" they played last week. How 'bout "For Dancers Only" by Jimmie Lunceford and "Broadway" by Count Basie?
They both have catchy melodies and clear, interesting breaks. Also, wouldn't it be great to hear them play "T'aint What You Do" live? What songs/tunes would you suggest (anyone)?

Another suggestion...I think it's not a Kansas City-style band unless there's a piano player. The piano is the heart and soul of the Kansas City sound. I know their budget may not allow it, but I think it would be great to add a keyboard player. It would expand their sound to include boogie woogie, and it would give their jump blues tunes a little more ummph. Whaddya think?

I'd love to hear some of your suggestions, and I'll kindly pass them on to Carlos. I want to bring them back to the Marriott next month, because I'm excited to see how they'll respond to our suggestions and evolve as a band.

Peace as always,

Meeshi

By carlos on Thursday, October 28, 1999 - 12:56 pm: Edit

Hello Meeshi, Shawn, Tammy, Ron, Lisa, Reuben, Andy and all you swing devotees!!!

Well, first of all, that anonymous post wasn't me. Actually, this is my first time to post to this message board, although a message or two might've been forwarded here by someone else, and was written by me. But this is my first official post.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank all of you for supporting the new band thus far. It's extremely difficult for a new band to gain a foothold in the local scene. Usually, new bands are treated with skepticism and indifference, and it's hard to get a foothold when other bands have already been established.

And throw in the fact that there are a lot of negative attitudes toward the swing movement at this point in time, it's a wonder why I'm even starting up a swing band at this point! People are even suggesting that we don't refer to ourselves as a swing band. And given the fact that there is no immediate financial gain in starting up a new swing band... since a lot of time, money and effort is spent promoting and trying to book the band, it makes me wonder why I should even continue. Well, the only rationalization for my actions is that I truly love playing the music, and that I am still devoted to the movement and its culture.

The band has been together for about two and a half months now. It hasn't been easy, but I think we've accomplished a lot in this short time. The band's dedication to early swing and "American Roots Music" continues to be the main focus. We are a young band, so we are currently going through an evolution or metamorphosis. We are all seriously committed musicians with personal goals of becoming better at what we do, to challenge ourselves and to naturally learn and improve. We hold a deep respect for those jazz greats of the Swing Era who have developed and nurtured swing music, and that is primarily why we are doing this, for the love of that music and for the joy of playing for the dancers. Just like anything else in life, we are always learning and continue to strive to be better. We are very open to suggestions but also realize that we can't be a band that's totally harnessed...

Well, I mainly wanted to express my ongoing devotion to the music and the culture. I also wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation to all who've been supportive. And I wanted to commend you all for being pro-active in our local swing scene and helping it continue to thrive. I actually feel we have a much better scene here in San Diego than in other cities like SF or LA. There's still a lot going on, and perhaps the only reason people perceive that attendance may have dropped, is the possible fact that we have so much going on locally that the scene is spread out, but it's still very much alive and well.

Thanks again, swing kids!

Sincerely,

Carlos Rull
U P T O W N B O Y S
http://www.carlosrull.com/uptownboys

By Ron on Thursday, October 28, 1999 - 02:31 pm: Edit

Thanks, Carlos. Nice positive post. I think we all appreciate you starting this new band at this time. I think its great that you doing it out of the love for the music. Good luck. I've liked what I've heard so far. You probably already read the suggestions above about shortening some of the songs, and having some more jump songs, and I guess you'll have to see how that fits with your style. Look forward to seeing you guys on Saturday at the Marriott for the Halloween dance.

By Twirly on Thursday, October 28, 1999 - 03:44 pm: Edit

I saw Uptown Boys recently at Tio Leo's and you guys were great - we had so much fun dancing to the band that night. Seems like you had already taken some of the suggestions following the Marriott show to heart - the songs were shorter, and the band sounded tighter. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the Marriott show this Saturday.

By HopMichael on Wednesday, November 17, 1999 - 11:22 pm: Edit

Uptown Boys were playing at Borders Bookstore in Mission Valley last Thursday.

It was my first time hearing them and I enjoyed their sound: jazzy/bluesy swing that's great for savoy lindy. Great vocalist with attitude in his delivery, rhythm section that grooves (a guitar that can and does syncopate against the beat, a stand-up bass that drives, and a drummer that embellishes on the percussion), and horn section that can deliver both restrained melody and hot blowing.

I guess I like 'em!

Tammy, take another listen. Yes, they are jazzy/bluesy. But I had a lot of fun dancing within their musical creativeness.

Thanks to Trini for some great dances. I still don't believe you never had a lindy lesson... Good to see Steve K and Kyoko there as well!

And one of my life's surreal wishes came true: to dance in a bookstore!!!

[Hmm..didn't we have a category for the oddest places to dance? If not we should start one...]

By HopMichael on Wednesday, November 17, 1999 - 11:31 pm: Edit

Plus: they were giving out dates for their next gigs. In addition to the ones listed in the calendar:

Dec 4: Tio Leo's 9pm - 1am
Dec 11: Juke Joint Cafe 7:30 pm - 11:30pm

By Dennis Hong on Thursday, November 18, 1999 - 12:47 am: Edit

Wow, what a deal! Go to their next gig, and they provide a date for you. Will she be cute, though? But... shhh, don't tell my woman.

By SteveK on Thursday, November 18, 1999 - 10:24 am: Edit

Why thank you Michael. It was good to see you there also. Although there was only a tiny area to dance to at Borders, it was nice to dance a bit (kinda like a warm-up) before heading out to the birthday celebration at the Firehouse. I have to agree that it was odd dancing to a live band right next to the magazine section.

By carlos on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 - 04:44 pm: Edit

First of all, thanks Meeshi, Shawn and your dance partners (sorry, I'm not too good with remembering names), for doing that KNSD 7/39 Sunday Morning Show with us!

The video turned out great! And if you guys want a copy, please let me know. Your segment where you gave lessons to anchors Artie and Deborah (and the weather girl) came off really well.

It was a lot of fun and I'm glad you came down to be a part of the show. Although it was way too early for everyone to do an early morning show, especially on Sunday, I think it was a success.

FYI: Here's our schedule for the next few months----

Feb 17 THU ~ The Derby - Hollywood

Feb 20 SUN ~ NBC 7/39 Morning Show

Mar 04 SAT ~ Borders - Carmel Mountain

Mar 04 SAT ~ Carver's Restaurant - 8pm to 12am *

Mar 08 WED ~ The Cannibal Bar

Mar 10 FRI ~ Carver's Restaurant - 8pm to 12am *

Mar 11 SAT ~ Juke Joint Cafe

Mar 17 FRI ~ Carver's Restaurant - 8pm to 12am *

Mar 18 SAT ~ Private Party

Mar 25 FRI ~ Juke Joint Cafe

Apr 07 FRI ~ Tio Leo's

Apr 08 SAT ~ Juke Joint Cafe

Apr 09 SUN ~ NBC 7/39 Morning Show

Apr 15 SAT ~ Carver's Restaurant - 8pm to 12am *

Apr 28 SAT ~ Juke Joint Cafe

May 05 FRI ~ Tio Leo's

May 21 SUN ~ Symphony in the Park ~ Scripps Ranch

May 23 TUE ~ Private Party (tentative)

Jun 02 FRI ~ Tio Leo's

* Uptown Express will be playing, consisting of a quartet version of
the Uptown Boys, and featuring Nathan Mills - trumpet, Matthew
Frigon - guitar, Don Skelton - bass, Carlos Rull - drums.

Thanks again!

Carlos Rull
Uptown Boys

By Shawn Hanna on Thursday, February 24, 2000 - 01:28 pm: Edit

Thank you Carlos for inviting us. We definitely want copies of that video tape.

For those who don't know, we appeared on the Sunday Morning channel 7 news show. Meeshi, Melissa, Aletha and I danced to two songs, an Meeshi taught a short swing movement class with the anchors.

It was fun, the band sounded great, and we had tons of on-air time. Unfortunately, we had to be there before 7am on a Sunday, but a nice breakfast afterwards at the Original Pancake House on Convoy sure helped.

By Meeshi on Friday, February 25, 2000 - 03:30 pm: Edit

Carlos--

Yeah, that was fun! Let's do it again. It was really challenging for me to dance that early in the morning, but the Boys sounded great and Melissa, as always, made it easy by staying relaxed and loose. You're the best around, babe!

Unfortunately, the best dancing was cut off when the station went on to air "Meet the Press". The band kept on playing while Aletha, Shawn, Melissa and I continued to dance and swap partners as well as lead/follow. The whole camera crew was cracking up!

Anyway, what time are you guys playing at Border's on Mar. 4? I'd really like to come out and support you guys there.

Please post the info, man.

Peace,

Meesh

By carlos on Saturday, February 26, 2000 - 12:57 pm: Edit

Meeshi, Shawn & company...

We will be at the Borders store in Carmel Mountain, 11160 Rancho Carmel Drive, from 1pm to 2:30pm on Saturday, March 4th. Of course, this is ALL AGES and FREE, FREE, FREE!!!

Thanks again for coming down early on a Sunday and doing that NBC 7/39 show with us... we really had a blast! Yes, it was challenging to be down there that early, especially for us folks who are basically night people. I just recently been hit hard with the flu (had a 103 degree temperature, and also have strep throat and an ear infection!) but as soon as I get back on my feet I'll make copies of the video for all the dancers and bandmembers.

By Shawn (Adminorama) on Thursday, July 27, 2000 - 11:32 am: Edit

Report from Suzie Q's in LA (kudos to the local boys!):

Many thanks to all of you who turned out for the Uptown Boys from San Diego last week. They played a great gig which went on till nearly 1am, and the dancers didn't want to go home! Also thanks to all the dancers who helped celebrate the opening of Suzy Q Sundays last night. Our DJ Kia Harirchian really excelled himself with the music, and much fun was had by
all.

PLEASE VISIT THE NEW SWINGORAMA FORUM
GO TO SWINGORAMA.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

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