Kings of Swing

The Kings of Swing is a 17-piece dance band that originated in 1944 at Seattle's Cleveland High School as the school pep band. The group soon became known as the Kings of Swing in a tip of the hat to the King of Swing Benny Goodman. The young members loved playing and, after graduating, they decided to stick together. They played through the war years until 1949 at service clubs, YMCA and USO dances, high school proms and various other functions. In 1987 the love of the "big band" sound called and the band held their first reunion. Members came from as far away as Florida and Oklahoma and when it was over the seven original members decided to revive the band. The last of the original members have retired from the band but they still come and sit in from time to time to make sure the "youngsters" are properly carrying on the Kings of Swing tradition of excellent music. In 1985 The band was part of a cultural exchange and traveled to St Petersburg, Russia to play as part of the White Nights Festival. They Played at Oktyabrsky Hall and The Jazz Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg. The Kings released their first CD Full Circle in 1998. It features vocals by Tony McArthy and some of the original Kings' musicians. In 1998 the Kings laid down a track for the movie The Trouble with Boys and Girls. Blue Skies their latest CD was released in 2003 and features vocals by both Tony McArthy and Elizabeth Hott. The band plays a great mix of big band songs. Dressed in their tuxedos with white dinner jackets the Kings of Swing add an air of 1940s elegance and style to every performance. The Kings are a 17-piece dance band that originated in 1944. Listen to the Kings at one of their public performances.