George Gee and his Swing Orchestra bring the excitement, energy and irresistible rhythm of the great big band era to the stage with a show that keeps audiences smiling—and swinging—from the first note to the last.
A lifelong New Yorker, George Gee discovered the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman and Cab Calloway while still in his teens. While attending Carnegie Mellon University, a 1979 interview with the legendary Count Basie proved life-changing. Inspired by their conversation, George assembled his first 17-piece big band the very next day, beginning a career devoted to keeping great swing music alive, vibrant and moving forward.
Today, George Gee is one of the most recognized bandleaders on the contemporary swing scene. His orchestra combines the authentic sound and sophistication of the great big bands with the excitement and personality of a modern live show. Classic swing, jazz favorites, dynamic arrangements and outstanding musicianship come together in a concert that appeals equally to longtime big band fans and audiences discovering the music for the first time.
The band has regularly headlined Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing and was a longtime fixture on the New York swing scene, including a celebrated two-decade residency at Manhattan’s famed SWING 46. Lindy Hoppers and swing enthusiasts from across the country and around the world have danced to George Gee’s unmistakable big band sound.
George has also built an impressive recording legacy. If Swing Makes You Happy, his eighth album as a bandleader, showcases exuberant swing, polished arrangements and infectious energy that have become hallmarks of the George Gee sound.
“The ensemble generates a larger-than-expected sound… swinging its way through nineteen buoyant numbers.”
— Backstage Pass
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