Get ready for some jump blues, western swing, and classical jazz standards from the 1930s and 1940s on Saturday, May 10!

Join us at 7:30 pm, as Fort Worden State Park’s newly renovated JFK Building comes alive with rock-steps, twirls, and dips. The cost is $10; tickets are available at the door or by calling 360.385.3102, x117. Tickets are also available online.

Leading the swing dance are Grammy-winning guitarist Mike Dowling, violinist Paul Anastasio, sensational Canadian vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott and bassist Cary Black.

The dance is the public capstone to an intensive weekend workshop for swing musicians and vocalists, some of whom will join the band onstage.

Before embarking on a solo career, Mike Dowling worked and recorded with jazz great Joe Venuti, mandolinist Jethro Burns, and Nashville swing fiddler Buddy Spicher. Dowling is a popular swing instructor throughout the country. He has been called by Vassar Clements "one of the finest guitarists there is, anywhere."

Paul Anastasio studied jazz violin with the great Joe Venuti. His first job on the road was with Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers. In 1992, a chance encounter with Mexican violinist Juan Reynoso turned his life upside down. He began to travel to southwestern Mexico to study Reynoso’s regional fiddling style, leading to a distinctive and virtuoso style.

Jennifer Scott is a Vancouver-born vocalist and jazz pianist specializing in jazz, blues, and world music. From sold-out concerts in San Francisco to exclusive local club performances, Scott’s performance experiences have been varied. Jennifer has appeared at Jazz Festivals all across Canada and in several of the United States.

Cary Black, a bassist, teacher, vocalist, and producer from Olympia, taught music theory and improvisation for six years at the Evergreen State College. He has made numerous radio appearances including the Grand Ole Opry and A Prairie Home Companion.