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Three men, Two women quintet Five by Design evolved from the vocal group Hot Jazz, formed at the U of Wisconsin/Eau Claire in 1982. In 1988 the group developed 'Radio Days' as a musical theatre vehicle that gave them an opportunity to sing the swing music they love best. In 1999 the Baltimore Symphony commissioned them to create a new show that would become Club Swing. Their productions have appeared with more than 100 of the leading symphony orchestras throughout the US and Canada. In the play, the fictional Club Swing is a soon to be demolished club built in the heydey of swing, and Joe Sullivan visits for one last time. The marquee flickers and the club is transformed into the once fabled nightspot. Backed by the Club Swing orchestra, led by Willis Delony, the dressed-to-the-nines group gives us 20 classics, done as well as any swing CD we've heard. Some of our favorites: 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Dream,' 'Choo-Choo Ch' Boogie,' 'Pistol Packin' Mama,' 'Dig Down Deep,' 'One For My Baby'Ébut every song's an authentic winner! |