Swing Dance Party featuring Johnny Boyd’s “Cocktails with the Crooner,” Get Hep Swing Bringing back the nostalgic charisma of a bygone era, the prolific West Coast vocalist seamlessly blends swing, jazz, pop, country, gospel & rock for a sound that fans from Frank Sinatra to Johnny Cash will enjoy! Featuring the renowned Get Hep Swing Dancers for a throwback-themed night of music & dance!

San Francisco native by way of Portland, OR, Johnny Boyd has the romanticism of a crooner and the boyish good looks of a classic, golden-era matinee idol, but it’s his highly distinctive, smooth as silk vocal style that truly defines him.
 
Long-acclaimed as one of the most versatile vocal performers of today, singer-songwriter Boyd seamlessly blends swing, jazz, pop, country, gospel and rock, bringing back the nostalgic charisma of a bygone era, while taking risks with his arrangements that truly show confidence in his talent.
 
Boyd and His Sensational Swing Lover Band are presently touring across the U.S. and Europe to promote the release of their highly acclaimed full-length album, Never Been Blue.
 
Bring your dancing shoes and take part in a swing dance lesson led by Get Hep Swing’s Valerie Salstrom at 7:00PM (beginners welcome) with the live music starting at 8:00PM. Dancers & music lovers alike are invited to this special event!
 

About Johnny Boyd

Johnny Boyd has the romanticism of a crooner. The boyish good looks of a classic, golden-era matinee idol. The true passion, soul and vision of a renegade artist. But it’s his highly distinctive, smooth as silk vocal style that truly defines him. He’s Johnny Boyd – and he’s back. And like Frank, he does it his way.
 
Long-acclaimed as one of the most versatile vocal performers of today, Boyd seamlessly blends swing, jazz, pop, country, gospel and rock, bringing back the nostalgic charisma of a bygone era, while taking risks with his arrangements that truly show confidence in his talent.
 

“(He) touches on so many musical styles. But he does it with amazing talent and sincerity, again setting himself apart from his peers…Johnny Boyd is a talent to be reckoned with…”
– JazzReview.com

 
With 20+ years experience, the former Indigo Swing frontman still doesn’t miss a beat. The highly prolific singer-songwriter and resident road dog, known for his extreme work ethic (300+ gigs a year in the U.S. and Europe), can still move an audience from smiles to tears, in one sitting. With over 1,100 consecutive live performances to Boyd’s credit, more than 100,000 records sold, and thousands of loyal and devoted fans worldwide, he is now gearing up for more.
 
Boyd is presently touring across the U.S. and Europe to promote the release of his highly acclaimed full-length album, Never Been Blue. This most recent work finds him flexing his musical muscle and moving into territory never explored with Indigo Swing, all while staying true to his crooning roots.
 
Comments Boyd: “I’m a romantic. I try to be optimistic. My songs have always involved classic themes about everyday life: dreams, disappointments and sacrifices…and hope for better days.”
 
Perhaps critic Chris Jorgensen best sums up Boyd’s appeal: “In the hands of lesser talent, it would have felt like a novelty. But Boyd clearly loves each song he performs, and he reinforces the old musical maxim that no matter how strange the music seems, if it feels good, it is good.”
 
Yes, Johnny Boyd is back.
 

About Get Hep Swing

Get Hep Swing has specialized in the swing dances from the 20s-50s since 1998. We offer classes on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays in Brecksville, bi-monthly dances, private lessons, wedding choreography, in-school & after school dance programs.
 
Get Hep Swing is owned and operated by Valerie Salstrom. One of America’s busiest Lindy and Balboa teachers, Valerie has a reputation for her finesse on the dance floor. She emphasizes musicality and connection regardless of the style of swing. Since 2002 Valerie has taken home the 2003 National Jitterbug Championships (NJC) Grand Slam Championship, became both the 2004 NJC Balboa Champions and the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC) American Showcase Champions and most recently, (in 2005) she returned to ALHC to place 2nd in the same competition.
 
Valerie is the organizer of the ‘All Balboa Weekend’ held annually in her home town of Cleveland. This Weekend event first started in 2001 and was the first major dance camp dedicated solely to Balboa. It features the American Classic Balboa Championships (ACBC), one of the nations most respected and sought after Balboa competitions. www.AllBalboa.com.
 
Valerie also played a major role in organizing (and participating in) the Guinness World Record breaking ‘Heart Health Hop’ event sponsored by St. Joseph Aspirin, which broke the record for the ‘Longest Dance Party’. From July 29-31 (2003), 41 participants danced at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, for 52 hours and 3 minutes…smashing the old record! www.guinessworldrecords.com (search “longest dance party”)
 
Valerie is enthusiastic about passing on her love and passion for dance and she brings a fresh, interesting, and lighthearted attitude to both the dance floor and the classroom. Valerie teaches all over the United States, Canada and Europe and runs a dance studio in her hometown of Cleveland, OH.

$12