The Best Little Big Band in Town! - Swing, Inc. - News

Another sad note from our friend, Judi "K"Posted

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

When you have a few minutes, read Judi K's touching tribute to her good friend, Brian Dale.

Then go hug someone you love!

Peace and joy to you all in 2010!

Eric H.
Swing, Inc.

Remembering the JudgePosted

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, I received the sad and unexpected news that our good friend and fellow musician, the Honorable Duane Peterson, passed away in his sleep sometime on Friday morning, October 2, 2009.

For those of you who never met Duane, he was, I think, a banjo player first and a judge second. Duane, along with our good friend Dan Barr, founded the Gate City Jazz Band almost 30 years ago. Their band, with whom I've had the good fortune to play both piano and trombone on many occasions, continues to be one our area's most popular groups.

Duane's memorial service will be on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Winona, MN. You can be sure that his favorite Dixieland music will play a part in honoring this honorable man.

Our love, prayers and good wishes go out to Duane's wife, Patti and their family.

Heaven just got another great player in that miraculous band!
--
Eric H.

A touching note in the tip jarPosted

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Last night, Jerry and I ... aka the Standard Time Duo ... played at the Canadian Honker Restaurant in Rochester. If you haven't been to the Honker, you need to know that it sits right across the street from St. Mary's Hospital -- a huge facility and part of the Mayo Clinic.

In our tip jar (along with a generous tip) was the following note:

"I just have to tell you how appreciative I am of your music tonight.

I used to be that twenty-something singer who spent a good deal of time fronting a group like yours as a singer.

I have just completed my 32nd year as a music educator in Vermont.

You play wonderfully - it really brought me back during a rough week with a loved one at St. Mary's.

Thank you!

Allyson"
---
Thank you Allyson. That's what it's really all about!
--
Eric H.

Swing, Inc. turns 10!Posted

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

May 14, 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of Swing, Inc. Where does the time go!? Although our gig that night is a private event, it is at the same place where it all began.

In 1999, Jerry Paulson called a few of us and asked if we would play for a benefit "dance" at Saint Anne Hospice in Winona, MN. It sounded like fun so Steve Kulas (drums), Jim Wheat (trombone), Jerry (trumpet) and Eric H. (keys) played a collection of tunes from the Swing era for a group of smiling and toe-tapping residents.

After the gig, we all thought it sounded "pretty good" and decided to see if we might work together more often as a group -- and thus Swing, Inc. was born.

Swing, Inc. on TV - March 15, 2009!Posted

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

If you live in Rochester, MN or neighboring towns and subscribe to Charter cable TV, be sure to tune in to "Festival of Music" on cable channel 10 at 8 p.m. March 15, 2009.

Our friend and producer, Jerry Barnhart, recently spent an evening videotaping Swing, Inc. at the Canadian Honker Restaurant in Rochester.

The program will include interviews with members of the band as well as some great musical clips.

The following week, Jerry's program will feature our good friend Miles Johnston with 2 O'Clock Jump.

We hope those of you who have access to the program will tune in!

You can also check out Jerry Barnhart's other show, "Vet's Visits on TV" at:

http://www.vetsvisitsontv.org/

Our sincerest thanks to Jerry and his crew at Festival of Music for featuring Swing, Inc. on the program!

Jazz is back in Winona!Posted

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

We are pleased to report that after more than a year without a venue for live jazz in Winona, MN, our friends at Jefferson Pub & Grill have decided to invite us back for a gig in their newly remodeled/expanded space in downtown Winona.

Our thanks to Chase & Wendy Hoffmann and all the great crew at Jefferson's for their support.

We hope we'll see many of you at the gig on Friday February 6, 2009 between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Your show of support will go a LONG way to keeping the music alive!

Check the Calendar page for all the details!

... Eric H.

Farewell Avocados ...Posted

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

For those of you in or near Rochester who came out for the "Jazz Nights" at Avocados Bistro, a sign in the window is the only thing left at what was until recently a spot for great food and great jazz in Rochester.

As you can see from a story we posted about a year ago, it's tough out there in the world of restauranting!

We wish David and his colleagues well and hope that their wonderful ideas for food and music will return to the Rochester scene soon.

... Eric Heukeshoven
Swing, Inc.

Avocados World BistroPosted

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Once in a while a new restaurant is created that gets everything right.

Avocados World Bistro, located behind Apache Mall and just down the road from the World Market in Rochester is just such a place.

Featuring a menu of Caribbean inspired foods, a great bar and live jazz at least twice a month, this is one of those spots that does everything just right.

Swing, Inc., the "trio edition" will make their debut at Avocados in November 2007. We hope it's the first of many gigs to come!

Check our calendar for complete details.

Swing with the PHAPosted

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Our thanks to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) of Minnesota for including the sounds of Swing, Inc. at their "Phenominal Phorties" event at the Kahler Hotel in Rochester on Oct.27, 2007.

Bonnie McGoon and company put on an amazing fund-raiser with the proceeds going to benefit the research and treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension.

In the auction alone, the group raised close to $10,000. The members of Swing, Inc. salute the great work being done by these good people and thanks again for requesting all those big band charts. We had a blast!

Winona Jazz SilencedPosted

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Jerry Paulson, Swing, Inc.'s trumpet / flugelhorn virtuoso, phoned me late today with the sad news that the owners of Jefferson Pub & Grill have decided to discontinue their once a month evening of live jazz.

We are, naturally, very disappointed and saddened by this news for two reasons:

1. Jefferson's is a great place and we know how many of you enjoyed the Thursday night sessions.

2. Winona now has no place where live jazz can be heard in a casual atmosphere on a regular basis.

For anyone who wishes, we encourage a phone call or even a visit to Jefferson Pub & Grill to express your thanks for their support of the music and also to let them know how much it meant to you and perhaps to their business as well.

Jefferson Pub & Grill
http://www.jeffersonpub.com
58 Center St.
Winona, MN 55987
507-452-2718
Paul Goodfellow, manager

As always, thanks to ALL of you for your support and enthusiasm!