In 2017 I was involved in an exciting little side-adventure we called the International Shitstorm, comprising 3 musicians and 3 dancers living in 3 different countries. Using our phones and computers to exchange ideas using videos, audio files, and various messaging apps, we created a performance piece to be presented at Lindy Bout XI, a major swing dance event held annually in Vancouver. Our goal was to blur the lines and bridge the gaps between musicians and dancers - the dancers' feet, movements, and clapping all provided crucial elements of our musical arrangement, and the musicians moved to create different formations, interact with the dancers, and execute simple choreography that accentuated their notes and rhythms. We wound up winning an award, and were invited to perform at the New Orleans Swing Dance Festival in the Fall of 2017. Stay tuned to find out what the Shitstorm will stir up next!!

The arrangement you're hearing here on this album incorporates some of the same elements as in the final version of our performance, and some others which we came up with together while brainstorming that didn't fit for the performance but work well within the context of a jazz trio. I love being able to tip my hat to my fellow Shitstormers around the world when I play this tune this way, hopefully further bridging the aforementioned gaps by acknowledging that this arrangement was crafted by musicians and dancers together :)

The video of the International Shitstorm's Lindy Bout XI performance can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tTXTSyjw9w