The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra, consisting of fifteen musicians and four vocalists, delivers vibrant swing music reminiscent of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, while incorporating contemporary compositions. Much of the band's repertoire, crafted by bandleader Bill Elliott, was written in the 1990s and 2000s. Elliott, a noted composer and arranger, has seen his work featured in numerous films and television shows, including the HBO film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and the Disney Channel film Alley Cats Strike.
Elliott's musical journey began as a rock 'n' roll piano player, touring and recording with artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Nicks. His path took a significant turn when he began writing and arranging for the 1989 film Dick Tracy, ultimately leading him to establish the Swing Orchestra in 1993. This ensemble emerged from his success in creating original, vintage-style swing music for various media. Elliott has curated a talented group of musicians from Los Angeles to recreate the authentic energy and style of big bands at their peak in the late 1930s. The orchestra also features Bill's Lucky Stars, a vocal quartet that performs in the close-harmony tradition of groups like the Pied Pipers and the Modernaires, along with lead singer Cassie Miller, who shines in solo performances.
Playing a crucial role in Southern California's swing revival, the orchestra has garnered a loyal following among the jitterbug and Lindy Hop dance communities. Elliott's music captures the essence of the great swing bands of the late 1930s and early 1940s, characterized by dynamic arrangements, clever and light-hearted lyrics, and an emphasis on danceability.
The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra has consistently attracted crowds of over 1,100 dancers at venues such as the Hollywood Palladium and the Satin Ballroom in Los Angeles. The band has frequently performed at Merv Griffin's Coconut Club in Beverly Hills and has played to large audiences at the Avalon Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island, as well as at ballrooms in San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon. In July 1999, the orchestra made its debut on the East Coast, headlining at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing in Manhattan, the Mann Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and various swing dance events in Boston and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the band is sought after for private and corporate functions, with a resume that includes the Emmy Award balls, the Jonathan Club Centennial, the America’s Cup Ball, the Junior Philharmonic Ball, and events for several major Hollywood studios.
The orchestra's three albums—Swing Fever, Calling All Jitterbugs!, and Swingin' the Century—have gained recognition in swing clubs and dance events from Seattle to London, alongside significant airplay on jazz and swing radio programs globally. Elliott's arrangements and the band's recordings were featured in both the HBO film and the RCA soundtrack album for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, as well as on John Lithgow's Sony-Wonder CD Singing in the Bathtub. Elliott's collaboration with Lithgow also led to the Carnegie Hall premiere of The Remarkable Farkle McBride, a fifteen-minute piece for symphony orchestra based on Lithgow's children's story published by Simon & Schuster in the fall of 2000.
In addition to leading the orchestra, Elliott remains active in film and television. He and the band recently recorded the orchestral score and big band music for the Disney Channel film Alley Cats Strike, which premiered in March 2000. He has also leveraged his band as the core ensemble for arranging music in Disney's sequels to Aladdin, including The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, showcasing his distinctive swing style. Elliott's songs have appeared in Oliver Stone's film Nixon and in Killer, starring James Woods. His swing compositions have also made their way into films such as Contact, Independence Day, Disney's remake of That Darn Cat, and the animated feature Cats Don’t Dance. Furthermore, Elliott and his band made a cameo as themselves in the Disney TV movie Tower of Terror, set in 1939, and contributed music to episodes of Ellen and The Drew Carey Show.
The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra not only performs original compositions by Elliott but also presents authentic arrangements from the golden era of swing, featuring works by iconic musicians such as Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan, Jimmie Lunceford, Chick Webb, and Duke Ellington. Timeless classics like "King Porter Stomp," "Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe," "Carioca," and "Blues in the Night" are brought to life with a polished and authentic style that distinguishes the orchestra from contemporary bands. The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra embodies the excitement, sophistication, and enthusiasm of the finest bands from the original swing era.
