Wallabies' Degustation Dinner

Wallabies' Degustation Dinner, Thursday 12 July 2007

Greg Poppleton & his 5-piece Bakelite Dance Band drove to Coffs Harbour on Thursday 12 July to play for the annual Wallabies Australian International Rugby Union Squad Degestation Dinner

"Thanks for the hard work, travel and exceptional musicianship. The event was a huge success and the band made the night. I look forward to using you again in the future."
Rowland Moye, B-E-P Events, Coffs Harbour, Annual Wallabies International Rugby Squad Dinner

MC for the night was TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennelly- who took the first dance with the band

The band played a pre-dinner and dinner set. Then music for dancing
Book the band

We'll be back at Redfern on Sep 9

We'll be back at Redfern on Sep 9
Sunday 9th September
3 - 6:30pm
157 Redfern St, Redfern

And right is a picture of the band taken Sunday 15 July at Redfern

There's an excellent dance floor at Redfern. And plenty of dancers took advantage of it

Did you win one of the big meat or seafood hampers in the 5pm raffle?

Is it congratulations? Or better luck next time?

If you couldn't come on July 15, we hope to see you at Redfern for an afternoon of Swing & Jazz with the 5-piece Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band on our next visit, Sunday 9 September, 3pm. FREE

Book the band

Band plays at Annual Conference Dinner for Crown Prosecutors

Band plays at Annual Conference Dinner for Crown Prosecutors

The 6-piece Bakelite Dance Band played for dinner and dancing at the Watersedge Restaurant, The Rocks, for the Crown Prosecutors' Annual Conference Dinner

Requirements were that the 6-piece band play very quietly for dinner so that guests could talk, and moderately for the dance set

The Watersedge is a very loud and reverberant room with a glass wall overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge

However, the 6-piece band achieved the low volume level the client required. And the dance floor filled when dinner was over.

A very successful night which left the client very happy
Book the band

Sunday June 10 2007
Garden Wedding

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band played our 1920s & 30s hot jazz & Swing for before and after Penelope & Adam's Garden Wedding Ceremony on Sunday 10 June.

The sun broke through and the rain stopped as Penelope went up the aisle under the Ceremony Marquee as Greg crooned Night & Day

It was a beautiful ceremony on the grounds of Greycliffe House, Neilsen Park, overlooking the park, beach and harbour. Over 100 family and friends attended

For your garden ceremony, contact us
The 4-piece band (see pic) is available for as low as $690. And we don't charge you GST!

SMH Guide Article & Glowing Review from JazzReview.com (US)

Greg Poppleton is Australia's only exclusively 1920s & 30s-style Swing Singer

With his Bakelite Dance Band & long-running Swing radio show, Greg is becoming increasingly popular among the growing Swing Dance subculture of 25 - 45 year olds

"Greg Poppleton has captured the essence of the jazz singers of that era and is able to exhibit an originality that makes his offering a new standard for tomorrow’s generation"
Featured Artist for JazzReview.com (US) May 2007. Read more at www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-18790.html

And Greg Poppleton looks straight out of the era, too, in his sharp 1930s suit and megaphone (see pic right)

His Bakelite Dance Band (4 to 6-pieces) is made up of the creme of Australia's Swing musicians. All have toured extensively overseas

Chosen to open the internationally prestigious 2007 Sunset Jazz Concert series at SKYCITY Casino in Darwin, Sunday 3 June 2007

"Swing has remained a passion for Poppleton... [starting in] 1985, long before the swing renaissance, [his] The Phantom Dancer, featuring live vintage swing, jazz and dance music from old radio and TV broadcasts... has become Australia's longest-running Swing show..."
Feature Article, Sydney Morning Herald Guide, Monday 29 April, 2007. Read more at: http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/in-the-swing-of-things/2007/04/29/1177787955879.html

"Greg Poppleton is certainly a man going places and as far as he is concerned, back in time is good. Check out the style." Jumpin' Jimmy & Swingin' Kitten Swing Dance Newsletter, Sydney, Mar 07

Actor as well as singer, Greg entertains. He's appeared in the feature films, Moulin Rouge, Dirty Deeds, Fat Pizza, Footy Legends and Hunt Angels, numerous TV commercials, and has a tiny role in Network Ten's upcoming Blackjack "Ghosts"

Greg's debut CD: The Phantom Dancer, 14 Swing Era Songs of 1926 - 1939 in Radio Review! is available worldwide...

"You and your crew are brilliant" Luiz Paulo C. de Carvalho, Brazil

"Greg and the band put a lot of effort into their presentation and music. It's a great authentic sound.. We'll definitely check them out again." DC, Swingtalk, Australia

"Oh, Marie! disse... Oooh! Another great pick! This version of "My Blue Heaven" is awesome! And what a marvellous name: Bakelit (sic) Dance Band !" BigBadMusic Blogspot

Roaring 20s Dinner & Dance

Roaring 20s Dinner & Dance
Friday, 4 May 2007, 8-12pm
Gateway Motel
cnr Windsor & Boundary Roads, Vineyard

We had a lot of fun playing songs from the 1920s for listening and dancing in the beautiful ballroom of the Gateway Motel, Vineyard

"Hi Greg,

Great night last night at Vineyard Hotel.
Great music for listening and dancing and heaps of room on the dance floor.
And it’s always a bonus watching Isobel and Kevin strutting their stuff.
That was a fabulous band you had.

Thanks heaps
Nancy & Barrie"

In Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band were ...
Greg Poppleton - megaphone
Al Davey - trumpet and trombone
Ray Alldridge - piano
David Seidel - double bass
Lawrie Thompson - drums

Greg Poppleton at Redfen RSL, Sunday, 29 April 2007, 3- 6:30pm

We had a lot of fun Sunday, April 29 for our 3rd engagement at Redfern RSL playing small group Swing & Jazz from the 1920s & 30s

All levels and styles of dancers hit the dance floor - and our double bassist, Darcy Wright, even struck it lucky on the Meat Raffle!

"We went along yesterday [Redfern RSL, Sunday 29 April 2007] and were very impressed. Greg and the band put a lot of effort into their presentation and music. It's a great authenticsound ... thanks guys. We'll definitely check them out again."
DC, Swingtalk, Australia

In the band were...
Greg Poppleton - Swing vocals
Al Davey- trumpet/trombone
Peter Locke- piano
Darcy Wright - double bass
Joel Davis- drums

Well post it here as soon as we know our next date for Redfern

Attention Swing Dancers in Sydney...

Sunday, 29 April 2007, 3- 6:30pm Redfern RSL FREE 157 Redfern St Redfern 9698 3992

The 5 - piece Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band return for their 3rd engagement at Redfern RSL

Playing 1920s & 30s music for listening and dancing

With:-
dance floor (Swing and social dancers welcome)
- jugs of free water
- beer, wine & spirits at famously low prices
- Meat Raffle
- Chinese Restaurant open for dinner

In the band will be...
Greg Poppleton - Swing vocals
Al Davey- trumpet/trombone
Peter Locke- piano
Darcy Wright- double bass
Joel Davis- drums

Grand piano & dance floor - so bring your dancing shoes. Love to see you there!

Greg

AIC Event - Manly Aquarium

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band played for the Australian Institute of Conveyencers, Friday 23 March 2007

We played 3 hours of 1920s & 30s music for atmosphere. Some delegates couldn't help but dance.

In the band were...
Greg Poppleton - megaphone
Bob Barnard - trumpet
Peter Locke - piano (keyboard)
Dieter Vogt - double bass
Joel Davis - drums
For your company event or social club function, please make your enquiry here

Phantom Dancer Highlights Tuesday 3 Apr 12 noon - 1:30pm (0200 GMT)

Tune into Australia's longest running Swing Radio Show.


This week, hear great live Australian Swing from the 30s & 40s. Frank Coughlan on a 1937 Featurradio Transcription, the Abe Romaine Orchestra in 2 broadcasts from Sydney's Trocadero Ballroom, Barbara James over 3DB & 2GB with Albert Fisher & Reg Lewis' Orchestra and Jim Davidson & his ABC Dance Orchestra with Alice Smith singing.


Also, hear Margaret Whiting sing on Here's to Veterans in 1954 - with Maggie's tips on 'How to Buy Your Dream Home.'Presented by Greg Poppleton. Full playlist on the Radio Show page of www.gregpoppleton.com

You can now buy CDs of 1930s-50s Swing Band radio shows, as well as Swing Books & DVDs on the OTR Radio page of www.gregpoppleton.com

Enjoy!
Greg Poppleton

PS Re: Podcasting. 2SER has begun podcasting its talk shows. Music shows, such as The Phantom Dancer, are still being sorted due to copyright issues.

75th Anniversary Sydney Harbour Bridge

As part of the weekend celebrations for this historic event, Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band, played for the opening of an historic walk along Bradfield Park and a memorial sculpture

Nice to see so may familiar faces drop by including Trish, Isobel, Narelle, Kevin and David

The band was acoustic - no PA - but could still be clearly heard. This is the band (without drums) that we also use for weddings in the Botanic Gardens:
Greg Poppleton - megaphone
Bob Henderson - trumpet
Jim Pennell - guitar
Stan Valacos - double bass
Joel Davis - drums

Tabea & David's Wedding

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band played for the beautiful wedding of Tabea & David at Curzon Hall, Marsfield, Friday 9 March 2007

We played a selection of 1920s & 30s dinner music at low volume, followed by 1920s & 30s music for dancing following the bridal waltz, which was the 1925 Irving Berlin waltz, Always

We love playing for weddings. The 4-piece band (see photo opp.) is available for up to 3 hours. The 5-piece band (add trumpet) is suitable for up to 4.5 hours. The 6-piece band (add sax/clarinet) is available for any reception up to 6 hours.

Please make your enquiry here

Phantom Dancer Playlist Tueday 27 March 2007

Tune into Australia's longest running Swing Radio Show, The Phantom Dancer on 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney and http://www.2ser.com Tuesdays 12 noon (0100 GMT)

Highlights for Tuesday 27 Mar 2007...

* The Andrews Sisters sing Marx Brothers on Guest Star, New York, 1947
* Coot Grant & Kid Sox Wilson relive part of their TOBA vaudeville act on This is Jazz WOR NY 1947
* Pop from Melbourne with Bruce Clarke's Orchestra for Lawrence Dry Cleaners around 1959

Full playlist on the Radio Show page of www.gregpoppleton.com

You can now buy CDs & DVDS of old Swing & Jazz shows and books on Swing & Jazz on the OTR CDs page at www.gregpoppleton.com

Cheers
Greg

Australian 1930s-40s Jazz & Swing Radio

Join Greg for 90 minutes of vintage swing & jazz from live 1920s-60s radio broadcasts on The Phantom Dancer...

Highlights this week include radio broadcasts & commercial recordings of rare Australain Swing & Jazz, including Jim Davidson & his Australian Broadcasting Commission Dance Orchestra with Alice Smith from 1938, Wally Portingale's Orchestra broadcasting over radio station 2CH Sydney in 1943, Dick Freeman & his Trocadero Orchestra & Abe Romaine's Orchestra from Sydney with Barbara James singing in 1940 & 1941

When: 12 noon Tues 13 Mar 2007 12 AEST (0100) GMT
Where: 2SER-FM 107.3 Sydney & 2ser.com

Full playlist at http://www.gregpoppleton.com

Enjoy!

Phantom Dancer Playlist Tuesday 13 Mar 2007

Join Greg for 90 minutes of vintage swing & jazz from live 1920s-60s radio brodcasts on The Phantom Dancer

When? Tues 13 Mar 2007 12 noon AEST 0100 GMT.
Where? 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney & http://2ser.com

Highlights this week include singers Annette Hanshaw, Helen Kane - the boop boop-a-doop girl, Ginny Simms with the Borden Cheese Chorus and the Thrasher Sisters in a Music Depreciation revue, KHJ Los Angeles, 1945.

Presented by Greg Poppleton since 1985. Enjoy. Full playlist at http://www.gregpoppleton.com

Swing & Dance from 1930s Holland, Italy & Germany

Tune into Australia's longest running Swing Radio Show - The Phantom Dancer
When ? Tuesdays 12 noon AEST (0100) GMT
Station? 107.3 2SER-FM & 2ser.com

Highlights for next Tuesday 6 Mar 2007:
* Swing & Dance from 1930s Holland, Italy & Germany
* Harry James Orchestra on the air in 1940 & 1944
* Latest News on the European situation over from the CBS Newsroom NY, 25 Sep 1938

Full playlist at http://www.gregpoppleton.com

Cheers
Greg
PS Mint Condition 2SER-FM Keyring for sale (see pic). http://cgi.ebay.com/Collectable-Keyr...QQcmdZViewItem

Phantom Dancer Playlist Tues 27 Feb 2007

Join me (Greg Poppleton) for 90 minutes of live Swing, jazz & dance from vintage 1920s-60s radio shows every Tuesday. Next Tuesday's, 27 Feb, highlights include:
1. Lena Horne singing with the Lionel Hampton's Orchestra on a .Jubilee Show AFRS 1945;
2. Graeme Bell & his Dixieland Band over 3AW Melbourne in 1949; and
3. Django Reinhardt over Radio Geneva in 1949.
Full playlist on the Radio Show page at www.gregpoppleton.com. Enjoy!

You can now buy CDs of live 1930s - 50s swing & jazz like I play on The Phantom Dancer at the OTR CDs page at www.gregpoppleton.com


Phantom Dancer. Tuesdays 12 noon AEST (+11 GMT) 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney & 2ser.com

Cheers
Greg

Flame Lounge & Grill Saturday 17 Feb 2007

Sang songs from the 1920s & 30s with David Levy on piano and Laurie Bennett on drums in the Flame Lounge & Grill Dee Why RSL last Saturday, Feb 17

This is our 6th year of playing the music of the 1920s & 30s at Dee Why as Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Broadcasters

It was our first appearance in the newly opened, spectacular Flame Lounge & Grill - which is so popular there is a two week waiting list to book a table

The pic at right has me at the microphone, with Laurie Bennett (trivia: who toured England with Frank Ifield in the 60s) on drums.

Phantom Dancer Playlist Tues 20 Feb 2007

Phantom Dancer Tues 20 Feb 12 noon

Live swing, jazz & dance from vintage 1920s-60s radio & TV shows.
Highlights this week:

1. Bing Crosby singing Y'all Come with the Cass County Boys & Steel Guitars. Bing Crosby Show CBS 1953;

2. Buddy Cole and his crazy-man-crazy organ on Two Girls from a 1959 Stars for Defence show;

3. Mildred Bailey singing with Woody Herman's Orchestra on a Wild Root Creme Oil Show, NBC 1946.

Presented by Greg Poppleton since 1985.

Full playlist on the radio show page of www.gregpoppleton.com

Cheers
Greg

Liz McKay Art Exhibition on NOW

Liz McKay is an internationally exhibited artist and a long-time listener to the Phantom Dancer. Her latest exhibition is on right now.

Here are the details.
Liz McKay "Red Wine and Jazz" Art Exhibition
Soho Galleries
Exhibition open now - until the 26th February
Cnr Crown and Cathedral St Sydney
Open 12-6 Tuesday - Sunday

"McKay’s vibrant works draw their essence from smoky bars, sultry jazz singers, romantic couples, European cafes and childhood memories.

Sensually curved figures and intimate surroundings, Liz McKay’s work has the ever slight hint of 1920's architecture, curves and textures are overlaid with compelling explorations of mood and human interaction."

Highlights Phantom Dancer Show, next Tues 13 Feb 07

Tune into Australia's longest running Swing Radio Show. Tuesdays, 12 noon (0100 GMT) 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney & 2ser.com
Highlights for Tuesday 13 Feb 2007:

* Baby Dodds singing I Ain't Got Nobody on a 1947 WOR NY This is Jazz show
* Lennie Tristano's off-beat take on Don't Blame Me from a 1947 WOR Bands for Bonds show
* Helen Forrest singing on her own Music for Millions program, New York, 1945

You can read the full playlist on the Radio Show page of www.gregpoppleton.com

Buy OTR Swing Radio shows on the Radio Show page of www.gregpoppleton.com as well !!

Greg Poppleton plays for Swing Dancers at Redfern RSL

Yesterday afternoon, Greg Poppleton & his 5-piece Bakelite Dance Band played to swing dancers and a full room of 'members & their guests' as they say in RSL-speak, at Redfern RSL Club.

I took a happy snap of the dancers from the back of the stage. The band was playing a couple of instrumental choruses during one of my songs.

The pic captures some of the excitement of the afternoon, I think. That's Dieter Vogt on double bass in the big white shirt.

Hello to Jennifer who came down to the club with a big group of friends to see the band and celebrate her birthday! Jennifer found out about the gig because she is on our mailing list.

Click 'mailing list'on the banner at the top of this page if you'd like to be in the loop, too.

That witches hat in the bottom right of the pic is my 1929 megaphone.

We'll be back at Redfern RSL, 157 Redfern Street, Redfern, right next to Redfern Station, Sunday 29 April, 3 - 6:30pm. Free!

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band at Quay West

The 6-piece Bakelite Dance Band (megaaphone, trumpet, sax/clarinet, piano, double bass and drums) played a big 1920s-theme Corporate Do at Quay West Resort last night.

On stage from 7:30 - midnight. Plenty of people dressed vintage on the dancefloor enjoying our tunes. Lots of comments about how authentic we sounded. Very happy.

Also very honoured to have had Dave Rutledge on saxes/clarinet last night. He played with Jim Gussey and his ABC Dance Band in the early sixties and with a lot of visiting international acts.

Highlights Phantom Dancer Radio Show Tuesday 6 Feb 2007 12 noon 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney & 2ser.com

Tune into Australia's longest running Swing Radio Show.


Highlights for Tuesday 6 Feb 2007:


* Lee Wiley singing with Tommy Dorsey and a rhythm section over a 1945 Eddie Condon jazz Concert, WJZ Blue Network NY
* Joe Marsala's Orchestra with Adele Giraud, swing harp, broadcasting from the Log Cabin, Armouk NY in 1942
* Mildred Bailey singing on her own Music Till Midnight program, WABC CBS NY in 1944

Full playlist on the Radio Show page of www.gregpoppleton.com

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band play for a 50th Birthday Party

This is Bob Henderson, growling on his mute, and playing with Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band for a 5oth Birthday Party in the rural outskirts of Sydney.


The party's theme was 1920s, hence the dinner suit and black tie.


The host had a Charleston competition which was lots of fun. And as everyone dressed up 1920s-style, there were prizes for the best dressed.


Best of all, everyone loved Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band so much they had us play for an extra hour-and-a-half. Now I'm blowing my own trumpet.


We do a big corporate 1920s dinner-dance tomorrow at a Central Coast Resort. Will post a pic for you soon.