The Bands

Our musicians are deeply rooted in the jazz dance culture of the Pacific Northwest with many years of experience playing for and collaborating with dancers. We’re excited to bring together the best swing musicians in the region (and beyond) for 4 nights of incredible live music featuring both classic and original charts.

You can look forward to tightly arranged Main Dances and looser, themed Late Nights.

The Cloud Drops are an all-star Seattle dance band that formed specifically for the first year of Stormy Weather.  Since then, they’ve continued to hone their craft around town, becoming favorites at the Century Ballroom and Swing Dance SCT. The band features over 60 original compositions and arrangements by local heroes Jonathan Doyle and Jacob Zimmerman, with contributions from other members of the band. 

Last year, The Golden Hour Quartet blew the doors off the joint with a Sidney Bechet themed Late Night. This year, Lauren and Ryan Gould are returning from Austin, TX to repeat this experience (Yes, the new Slow Dance contest will be during this set!). We love them so much that we’re also adding The Golden Hour Orchestra, Lauryn and Ryan’s 10-piece band to the program. 

For New Year’s Eve, we’re featuring the legendary Josh Roberts Orchestra. This 13-piece big band is a freight train of groove, so get ready!

We’re thrilled to add two more PNW jazz giants to our list of bandleaders this year! Pianist Alex Guilbert & Friends will play the Main Dance on Saturday, followed by Jacob Zimmerman & Friends with a Bebop-themed Late Night.

Stay tuned for more exciting musician announcements as we finalize our full lineup!

Saturday, Dec 28th

Main Dance - Alex Guilbert & Friends
David Jellema :: cornet
Jerome Smith :: trombone
Lauryn Gould :: reeds
Jonathan Doyle :: reeds
Alex Guilbert :: piano
Ryan Gould :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Late Night - Jacob Zimmerman & Friends, Bebop theme
Walter Cano :: trumpet
Jacob Zimmerman :: reeds
Tony Foster :: piano
Chris Spencer :: guitar
Matt Weiner :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Sunday, Dec 29th

Main Dance - The Cloud Drops ft. Ray Skjelbred
Walter Cano :: trumpet
Jacob Zimmerman :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Jonathan Doyle :: tenor & soprano saxophone / clarinet
Jerome Smith :: trombone
Ray Skjelbred :: piano
Josh Roberts :: guitar
Matt Weiner :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Late Night - Queen City Moaners, Sidney Bechet theme
Lauryn Gould :: soprano saxophone
David Jellema :: cornet / clarinet
Josh Roberts :: guitar
Ryan Gould :: bass

Monday, Dec 30th

Main Dance - Golden Hour Orchestra
Walter Cano :: trumpet
David Jellema :: cornet / clarinet
Jerome Smith :: trombone
Lauryn Gould :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Jacob Zimmerman :: tenor saxophone / clarinet
Jonathan Doyle :: bari & alto  saxophone / clarinet
Alex Guilbert :: piano
Josh Roberts :: guitar
Ryan Gould :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Late Night - ZDWL + M
Jovon Miller :: tap dancing
Jacob Zimmerman :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Jonathan Doyle :: tenor saxophone / clarinet
Matt Weiner :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Tuesday, Dec 31st

Main Dance - Josh Roberts Orchestra
Walter Cano :: trumpet
Nick Wees :: trumpet
David Jellema :: cornet
Jerome Smith :: trombone
Haley Freedlund :: trombone
Jacob Zimmerman :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Lauryn Gould :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Jonathan Doyle :: tenor saxophone / clarinet
Jackson Cotugno:: bari & tenor saxophone / clarinet
Alex Guilbert :: piano
Josh Roberts :: guitar
Matt Weiner :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set

Late Night - The Cloud Drops
Walter Cano :: trumpet
Jerome Smith :: trombone
Jacob Zimmerman :: alto saxophone / clarinet
Jonathan Doyle :: tenor & soprano saxophone / clarinet
Josh Roberts :: guitar
Matt Weiner :: bass
D'Vonne Lewis :: drum set