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Last week, during a Lindy Hop class I was teaching with my dance partner Marcia Bodenmann, she was playing “The Dipsy Doodle” and I thought “wow, this is a cool version, who's that from?”.

I immediately bought the song.

While in class?

Yes, it only took me 20 seconds. Honestly! 😉

Freddy Gardner

Frederick James “Freddy” Gardner (23 December 1910 – 26 July 1950) was a self-taught jazz and dance band musician.

Born in London, Freddy Gardner was one of England's most popular saxophonists during the 1930s and '40s. He developed his technique by working in bands led by Syd Lipton, Billy Bissett, and Bert Firman.

A skilled clarinetist, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophonist, Gardner stayed busy as a sessionman throughout his all-too-brief career and may be heard on numerous recordings by the Four Stars, the Six Swingers, Jay Wilbur, Benny Carter, Teddy Foster, Valaida Snow, Ray Noble, Ike “Yowse Suh” Hatch, Mario “Harp” Lorenzi, and the internationally famous team of pianist Buck Washington and singing tap dancer John “Bubbles” Sublett.

A marvelous improviser comparable with Rudy Powell, Benny Carter, Alix Combelle, Russell Procope, Ken Mackintosh, or Willie Smith, Gardner performed regularly over the radio and from 1936 through 1939 recorded with his own small groups or his Swing Orchestra, a larger ensemble that included in its ranks trombonist and future bandleader Ted Heath.

After serving in the Second World War he was featured as a soloist with Peter Yorke & His Concert Orchestra, and most certainly would have prospered as a name artist during the LP era had not fate intervened.

Tragically felled by a stroke in 1950, Gardner passed away at the age of 39 on July 26, 1950.

Source: allmusic

The Dipsy Doodle



Title: The Dipsy Doodle

Artist: Freddy Gardner

Recorded: n/s

Tempo: 174 bpm

Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa





Click the link to download the song from: iTunes the song from: Amazon



You can find all the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist.

Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

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