Band History

SWING, INC. History

In 1975, 16 musicians who were members of the Denver concert band decided to form a dance band. The initial funding for the dance band, which was to be named Jazz Inc., was provided by the Denver Concert Band (DCB).

The original leader was a pianist named Charlie Schaefer and the musicians in the band had to be members of the DCB. In 1980, for various reasons, the band became independent of the DCB. Gordon Gemm, who was a trumpet player in Jazz Inc., purchased the dance band music from DCB and the band was renamed Swing Inc.. Mr. Gemm also provided funding for other necessary equipment such as dance band fronts (music stands), lights, electric piano, etc. At this time, members of the band no longer had to be members of the DCB and a broader source of musicians was created.

In 1985, Mr. Gemm had to leave the band for health reasons. He donated the music library to Rich McDaniel who was a teacher at a high school in Thornton. Mr. McDaniel is still working with the band. The band currently rehearses at Mapleton high school and has been hosted by the Mapleton school district for approximately 15 years. The membership of the band has changed over the years, but there are still several members who have been part of the ensemble since or close to its inception.

The occupations of members of the band range from music teacher, to newspaper pressman, to retiree and everything in between. No one in the band earns a living solely from playing an instrument. The average age of the band's musicians has been increasing yearly. At this time, there are more white-haired musicians playing in the band than any other hair color or lack of hair color. The band does have both male and female musicians as part of the group as can be seen from its' personnel list.

Over the years of its existence, Swing Inc. has played for dances and other functions at such locations as the Brown Palace Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, the Broadmoor Hotel, Pinehurst Country Club, Lakewood Country Club, the Aurora Elks club, the Governor's Mansion, the Grant-Humphries Mansion and others.

A significant part of the band's mission has been to encourage students of all ages to learn about big band jazz, and hopefully to play in some type of musical group. Swing Inc. hopes to demonstrate that music can play an important part in a person's life; all their lives, including the retirement years. Swing Inc. has played for students and schools throughout the Denver metropolitan region, including Aurora, Thornton, Broomfield, Brighton, Fort Lupton and others. Swing Inc. intends to continue this mission.

1979 - DCB Big Band "Stage One" (renamed "Swing Inc.", Leader: Rich McDaniel)