Chattanooga: Swinging to the beat

By Laura Galbraith, Staff Writer

The sweet, nostalgic sound of jazz and Big Band music filled the air Saturday night as hundreds of people, young and old, came out to celebrate the annual Swingfest at Coolidge Park.

“This is our type (of) music,” said Mae Bearden, a retired travel agent. “When we were young, this was what we liked to participate in.”

She and her husband, Charles, decided to drive up from Dalton, Ga., when they heard about Swingfest.

The event featured free swing dance lessons as well as music from Chattanooga’s most well known swing bands, including UpTown Big Band and Sweet Georgia Sound. Although the heat was somewhat overwhelming and shade was limited, vendors nearby helped keep attendees comfortable with frozen drinks, water and food.

The event attracted individuals and families of all ages. Children as young as 4-years-old took the dance floor with their parents, and older couples relived the feeling of the “good old days” with their own dance moves.

Neva Ransom, an algebra teacher at Hixson Middle, and her 15-year-old daughter, Rachel, said they attend Swingfest every year. Mrs. Ransom’s husband plays in UpTown Big Band.

“My dad was in World War II and (swing) was his music, and so I grew up listening to that stuff, even though I’m (from) the Beetles generation,” said Mrs. Ransom. “This is nostalgic for me.”

Rachel Ransom said that growing up in a house that frequently played swing music made her really love it.

“I’ve been listening to it ever since I was a little kid, so it’s one of my favorite kinds of music,” she said. “Hand me swing music, and I’ll start dancing to it.”

Mrs. Bearden said she and her husband also grew up listening to swing music, and her son took an interest in swing music after he took a few dance lessons on a cruise. Now he frequently goes to a swing dance club in Atlanta.

“He (told me), ‘You grew up in the best generation,’” Mrs. Bearden said.