About New Deal Swing Band

The New Deal Swing Band was established in 2003 by Utah Symphony principal clarinetist, Tad Calcara. The band performs the original arrangements made famous by the great Big Bands of the 1930s and 40s. Mr. Calcara has spent many hours researching archives to locate the original manuscripts that were used seventy years ago. Much of the band’s repertoire plays like a sound track to 1930s New Deal America or to the struggle of 1940s WWII. Members of New Deal Swing have spent many meticulous hours rehearsing to obtain the right vintage feel, sound and most important swing of the original Big Bands. When you hear New Deal Swing – you’ll be transported through time!

New Deal Swing focuses on the “hot” swing bands of the day: Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford. But the band can easily switch tracks for some of the more romantic swing classics by Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Glenn Miller. Big Band music was primarily a dance music and the New Deal Swing Band specializes in performances for the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug crowds!