Smack Dabs

About this event

The Smack Dabs specialize in good-time Swing Blues music from the 1930s, featuring the songs of Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, The Harlem Hamfats, and many others. The 1930s were halcyon days for Swing music, but not just for the likes of big bands like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, There were literally hundreds of small Swing combos from trios to octets, each with its own unique take on the music that dominated the market during the height of the Great Depression. The list of artists who led small combos include Tiny Grimes, Slim Galliard, Billie Holiday, and Fats Waller. In addition to these groups, several important vocal harmony groups were also active on the scene, including the Cats and the Fiddle, the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, and the Spirits of Rhythm. This delightful and timeless genre features a rich variety of musical styles, ranging from mournful blues to joyful celebrations, setting the stage for incredible solo and group improvisations and delighting listening audiences and dancers alike.

The Smack Dabs repertoire embodies a melange of these Swing styles. For example, the Smack Dabs Band gets its instrumental configuration from Tampa Red and his Chicago Five, its improvisational vitality from the small Black Swing combo, and its swagger from risqué Blues. The Smack Dabs are proud to showcase some of Boston's most compelling improvising musicians in their lineup, bringing a fresh and unique sound to each performance. The Band includes Mark Earley on guitar, vocals and kazoo, David Sparr on piano, Jim Gray on upright bass, Mark Berney on cornet, Kit Buckley on saxophone and clarinet, and Jon Kraus on washboard. The Smack Dabs celebrate the bawdy, joyous, inclusive character of 1930’s Swing Blues music and is dedicated to honoring those who made it great. Meet The Smack Dabs!