Al Cooper & Savoy Sultans Transcription Project

Bringing back the music of the Savoy Ballroom to Lindy Focus and the world!

 
 

What is the Heritage Arts Transcription Project?

Since 2016, Lindy Focus has taken on a project to bring back to light the music of one of the legendary bandleaders of the classic Swing era. Previous bandleaders include Chick Webb, Lionel Hampton, and Jimmie Lunceford. 

This year we are tackling one the great house bands of the Savoy Ballroom: Al Cooper and His Savoy Sultans.

 

What's the plan for '23?

  • Keenan Mckenzie is taking on the daunting task of transcribing the entire night, along with leading the band on December 27th. 

  • After the show, the charts will be available to the public. 

  • Your name could be forever associated with bringing back one of the great swing tunes of all time, and you can even get into a VIP soundcheck rehearsal on the day of the show! 

  • Any and all money we raise is going directly to the musicians who do the transcribing and to cover the publishing and licensing fees so that the entire world can enjoy these great songs. 

Why Al Cooper?

We do this every year because we think this music is wonderful, joyous, and important to preserve. Our hope is to be able to bring affordable, quality big band swing charts to bands, schools, and swing dancers around the world. 

  • Savoy Sultans, though not as nationally known as Chick Webb, were regular features at the savoy ballroom for nine years (1937-1946) encompassing the peak of the swing era. Their sound is absolutely emblematic of Lindy hop music, and was beloved by multiple generations of Savoy dancers. The band is a "miniature" big band with a nevertheless explosive feel; tunes are riffy, exciting, bluesy, and effervescent. Though much of their work is lost to obscurity, enough recordings exist to transcribe and reproduce the equivalent of a night's show, so that's what we're going to do - recreating, according to our knowledge, every known recording of this band, which fits conveniently into one night of unforgettable music never heard in modern times.

Why do we do this? 

One thing that has always been true of Lindy Focus, is that the folks behind the music have never chosen to do things the easy way, and that's a big part of the reason why Lindy Focus has a reputation for excellent music. Its through the tireless (and underpaid) work of folks like Keenan Mckenzie, Michael Gamble, Jonathan Stout, Laura Windley and many more that we are able to continue to make more of the music we love with the people we love. Without a ready and waiting audience and the support of Jazz lovers like you, this music could be lost to sands of time. 

Other Ways You Can Help:

Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help: