September 26, 2023
– The Cottontails (9:00-11:30pm)
– After-Hours Jam (11:30pm-1:30am)

The Cottontails are one of San Francisco’s most exciting, talented, and versatile swing dance bands around, playing a wide range of styles: 1920s Gatsby-era jazz, classic 30’s/’40s swing, and vintage ’50s/’60s R&B. Something for everyone, and fun for all! Featuring Karina Denike, whose “vocal prowess recalls traditional jazz chops with modern style, relevance, and soul.” (The Owl Mag)

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,  $15 ($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 3, 2023 – Vic Wong & the Little Croquettes

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.

October 10, 2023 – Clint Baker’s Golden Gate Swing Band

Clint Baker, jazz musician extraordinaire and walking encyclopedia of jazz music and history, returns to the Woodchopper’s Ball, this time with his incredibly fun Golden Gate Swing Band.  Whereas his New Orleans Jazz Band focuses on New Orleans Trad jazz, Clint Baker’s Golden Gate Swing Band swings in the spirit of hard-driving Kansas City swing.  Tight and powerful, they will make you want to dance every song!  Great music for Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, and all things swing!

October 17, 2023 – Eric Shifrin & The In Crowd

Eric Shifrin has been performing and leading his band The In Crowd in the Bay Area since the early 1990’s.  For this special appearance at the Woodchopper’s Ball, he has assembled a swinging all-star lineup featuring everybody’s favorite drummer Mark Lee, and Michael Leal Price on bass.  On loan from the Cosmo Alleycats will be the blistering front line of Peter Cornell on sax and Konstantins Jemeljanovs on trumpet.  Eric will lead the proceedings from the piano chair and will also contribute the occasional vocal.  Get hep to the jive, and swing with them at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

October 24, 2023 – Silver Bell Jazz Band

The Silver Bell Jazz Band represents authentic jazz with a beautiful blend of jazz roots that moves the soul and makes you dance! With clarinetist and international Lindy Hop instructor Ryan Calloway leading the band, they play with a special focus towards dancers. Ryan arranges and brings together musicians from all over the Bay Area, and with a rotating cast of all-star jazz musicians, you’re sure to get a fresh, breathtaking experience each and every time, just like in the early jazz sessions.