The Jonathan Stout Orchestra, featuring Hilary Alexander

The JSO at Lincoln Center, photo from the New York Times

The JSO at Lincoln Center, photo from the New York Times

The Jonathan Stout Orchestra, featuring Hilary Alexander is the nation’s premier swing dance big band.  The 14-piece JSO captures the unmatched excitement and true rhythmic pulse of the Swing-era, and is the most danceable big band anywhere. The band follows the templates of Benny Goodman and Count Basie – orchestras that were aggressive and tight, and filled with all-star soloists that bring the fire on every song, regardless of tempo.

The Orchestra was founded in 2003 after promoters demanded a full big band that was as danceable and exciting as the Campus Five. Jonathan and Hilary responded with a big band that was designed from the outset to be the ultimate swing dance orchestra, and has gone on to become the gold-standard in the swing dance world. 

The Orchestra has been featured at Swing dance events across the country: (partial list)

  • Lindy Focus (Asheville, NC)

  • Camp Hollywood / National Jitterbug Championships (Los Angeles)

  • The International Lindy Hop Championships (Washington, D)

  • Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center in 2005, 2011, and 2015. (NYC)

  • All Balboa Weekend (Cleveland)

  • Beantown Swing Camp (Boston)

  • Seattle Lindy Extravaganza

  • Austin Lindy Exchange

  • Rhythmic Arts Festival (San Diego)

Festival and municipal events have included: Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival, Culver City Music Festival, Downtown Anahamein Summer Music Festival.