|
 Burgess
Crandall
Burgie
was born in Chicago. He was 15 in 1943, when he realized that
his special musical talent as a saxophone player could bring
him an incredible weekly income. $85.00 a week was a fortune
at that time. So he quit school, and joined a BIG BAND. He
traveled all over the country, playing his saxophone and seeing
as many as 3000 dancers on the dance floor at one time. He
played with Henry Busse, Dick Jergens, Frankie Masters, Bennie
Strong and many others. He even turned down a job with Lawrence
Welk, because he liked playing jazz better at age 18.
Burgie
was a woodwind instructor in the Navy School of Music for
his entire military enlistment. He earned his degree while teaching
college music courses, private lessons and playing gigs at
night. He graduated from college as a music teacher. He
taught band on every level (college to elementary) in the
school systems in Oregon for 34 years. (Band, Orchestra, Marching Bands, Choral Music
and private lessons) All this time, he still moonlighted and
kept his skills polished. A good many professional musicians
of that era turned to teaching in the school systems.
As a result the last 40 years has turned out in incredible number of high quality band and jazz musicians partly because of the tutelage of professional musicians, such as Burgie, brought up in the big band era.
THE BEST NEWS IS THAT BIG BAND, BALLROOM AND VARIETY music is alive and well through the amazing talent of Burgie Crandall. He has made a study of ballroom dancing tempos and ballroom varieties including Swing, Jive, Lindy-Hop, West Coast Swing, Rumba, Tango, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Samba, Waltz, Foxtrot, Nightclub 2-Step, Hustle, etc. Ballroom dancing is making a great comeback. Young people have rediscovered the Swing and Lindy. Serious ballroom dancers have increased their repertoire of dance styles. Millions have never let big band music leave their list of interests. CD and taped music are great. But, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT CAN DUPLICATE DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC WHERE THE BANDLEADER IS PART OF THE SHOW.
The
crowd can see that Burgie loves the music when HE swings to
the beat. He cues the crowd to sing "Hey! BA-BA-RE-BOP".
He brings the crowd to their feet as he makes them believe
that they CAN DANCE even if they don't know it yet. It culminates
in thrilling applause when the trombones, trumpets, drums
and bass make your heart change it's beat. Lives are uplifted because musicians have kept
their dreams alive and devoted their lives to good dance music.
 Burgie
is a true professional. Afterwards, he says he loves the music
and enjoys sharing his talent with the public. The rewards
come when someone comes up to him during and after the performance
and says, "I love your music", or "please play
my favorite 'In the Mood', 'cause nobody does it like you
do."
As
a side note:
One of the reasons that Burgie’s dance tempos are right on the mark is that he and his wife Suzanne (the keyboard bass player in the band) are ballroom dancers as well.
To
contact Burgie direct, send e-mail to: Burgie@letsdanceband.com
|
Swing
Foxtrot
West
Coast Swing
Waltz