September 23, 2025 – Mike Rinta & The Swing Therapists

Mike Rinta & The Swing Therapists work together regularly, 3 to 4 days a week, playing jazz from 1945 and earlier for seniors under the name The Jazz Therapists. All the musicians are full time and can boast playing with greats like Ray Charles, Taj Mahal, Bobby Huchenson, and many others. Mike Rinta is a featured bandleader at The Saloon, and he works as an arranger and featured trombonist for many swing bands. This is his debut as a bandleader at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

Check out Mike Rinta & The Swing Therapists here:

And then dance to them live at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

September 30, 2025
– Vic Wong & the Little Croquettes: 9:00-11:30pm
– After-Hours Jam: 11:30pm-1:30am

Vic Wong & the Little Croquettes are an instrumental guitar-driven swing quintet inspired by the jazz greats of the 1930s, especially Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.  It’s hard to nail one style to Vic, who is equally at home performing straight-ahead, bossa nova, country, gypsy jazz, hapa-haole swing, and reggae with countless local bands, but he’s a sucker for anything that has a good melody and makes you move.  In addition to their energetic live performances, the band is also known for their long-running weekly jam sessions, where a rotating community of bay area musicians and swing dancers meet, hang, and play.

The After-Hours Jam Session is now a regular monthly feature at the Woodchopper’s Ball, happening on the last Tuesday of the month, 11:30pm-1:30am, immediately following our regular Live Music Dance Party.  Spread the word!

• • Held in the lounge, with the bar staying open extra late, until 1:30am, and with space for dancing!  Take a nap Tuesday, and plan to work from home on Wednesday–this jam party will swing until late!
  • Included with admission to the Live Music Dance Party,  $20 ($5 after 11:00pm)!  Must arrive before doors close at 12:00am midnight.
  • Musicians of all levels welcome!  If you play an instrument or sing, here’s your chance to jam with other musicians.

October 7, 2025 – Don Neely Swingtet

Don Neely, bandleader, arranger, reed player, songwriter, and vocalist, leads this fine jazz ensemble, authentically recapturing the excitement of the celebrated music originating from the Jazz Age of the 1920s and the early Swing Era of the 1930s.  The Don Neely Swingtet–great music for Charleston-inspired Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag!

October 14, 2025 – Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s

Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s have been the torchbearers of a great American blues musical heritage for over three decades.  Taking their inspiration from the great jump & boogie outfits and swingin’ little big bands of the 1940s and ’50s, and adding a healthy dose of New Orleans rhythm and blues, pile-drivin’ piano, and some of Woods’ own contemporary playful lyrics, they breathe fresh life into the music that gave birth to rock’n’roll.  Don’t miss this National Blues Hall of Fame inductee and his hard-swingin’ band, this time with a special expanded 5-piece lineup!

October 21, 2025 – The Budhrani Brothers’ Sextet

The Budhrani Brothers are an up-and-coming swing band playing trad and swing jazz.  They’ve played at The Lost Church, Lindy in the Park, The Swingin’ Door, and @Arthur’s Tavern in New York, and they are very excited to be returning to the Woodchopper’s Ball.  Come enjoy and dance to their youthful and enthusiastic renditions of classic dance tunes, while also supporting the next generation of jazz musicians!