George Gee: The Band That Keeps Swinging
The Opening Swing
The heartbeat of swing music never truly stops, and if there’s one man who embodies that rhythm, it’s George Gee. For more than four decades, he has been a driving force behind keeping big band jazz alive—not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing movement that still electrifies dance floors today.
His journey wasn’t typical. As one of the only Asian American bandleaders in the genre, George faced resistance from the beginning. But instead of backing down, he leaned into the music, learning from the legends, building his own legacy, and proving that swing isn’t just history—it’s happening now.
With 28 years leading the band at SWING46 in Times Square, George has outlasted trends, revivals, and skepticism to keep swing not just relevant, but thriving. From sharing the stage with Frankie Manning to breaking into the Harlem swing scene, his story is one of passion, resilience, and a love for the music that never faded.
A Young Band Leader with a Big Dream
Swing wasn’t the obvious path for a New York kid growing up on rock & roll and R&B, but jazz called to him early.
“I fell in love with big band music as a teenager,” George recalled. Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway—these weren’t just names to him; they were his blueprint for the future.
By the time he landed at Carnegie Mellon University, George was more than a fan—he was an advocate. He started a big band music radio hour, spinning jazz records and talking about swing history. But he didn’t just want to talk about it—he wanted to live it.
His moment came in 1979, when he was asked to interview Count Basie himself before a concert on campus.
“That conversation changed my life,” George said.
The next day, he did something that no one expected—he formed his own 17-piece big band as a college student in Pittsburgh. It was a bold move, especially in the rock-dominated 1980s, but George wasn’t interested in what was popular. He was interested in what moved people.
And it worked. His band quickly became a Pittsburgh sensation, proving that even in an era of synthesizers and drum machines, nothing could replace the energy of a live big band.
But not everyone was thrilled with his success.
Breaking Barriers in the Swing World
“When I first started my big band in Pittsburgh during the early 1980s, the local musician’s union didn’t take kindly to a young Asian-American scoring all the big big band gigs,” George said.
Jazz and swing had always been seen through a Black and white lens—and George’s presence challenged expectations. He wasn’t just a musician; he was a bandleader in a world that didn’t always make space for outsiders.
But that didn’t stop him.
By 1990, George returned to New York City, where the real swing legends still lived and breathed the music. It didn’t take long before he was embraced by some of the biggest names in Lindy Hop history, including Frankie Manning and Norma Miller.
“Being a native New Yorker, I was more accustomed to the Harlem and Black American experience,” he explained. “I’ve been privileged to know and learn from true original artists—both in music and dance.”
It was in Harlem, the birthplace of the Savoy Ballroom, that George solidified his place in swing history. He wasn’t just playing for dancers—he was playing for the people who had built the scene from the ground up.
And when the 1990s swing revival exploded, George Gee was already there, ready to lead the charge.
The Swing Revival: A Scene Reborn
“The collaboration between big band music and Lindy Hop has always gone hand in hand,” George explained.
The 1990s saw an unexpected surge in swing music, with bands like Royal Crown Revue, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies bringing swing to the mainstream. Dancers packed clubs, vintage fashion made a comeback, and for a moment, it felt like the 1930s all over again.
For George, the defining moment of that era was Frankie Manning’s 85th Birthday Party at Roseland Ballroom in NYC in 1999.
“That was a pure feel-good event,” he remembered. “The energy, the dancers, the music… it was something special.”
While many bands faded after the revival, George never stopped playing.
The Band That Never Quit
While most of the 1990s swing bands came and went, George built something lasting. In 1997, he secured a residency at SWING46, a jazz and supper club in Times Square.
And he’s never left.
28 years later, his band is still the heartbeat of the New York swing scene.
“From someone who started 45 years ago when a ‘swing revival’ would have been thought outlandish, I’d say… the revival never actually left.”
Week after week, George leads his band through timeless swing classics, proving that this music isn’t just nostalgia—it’s as alive today as it was in the ‘30s and ‘40s.
And with a growing hunger for live music, immersive experiences, and vintage aesthetics, he’s confident that another wave of swing is just around the corner.
Legacy, Diversity, and the Future of Swing
As one of the only Asian American bandleaders in swing history, George Gee’s legacy extends beyond music. He has spent his career challenging expectations and proving that swing belongs to everyone.
His journey has been one of passion, resilience, and keeping the music alive against all odds.
“Swing makes you happy,” he said. “That’s what it’s always been about—keeping the swing alive, especially the big band art form.”
And as long as George Gee is on stage, swing will never die.
Final Thoughts
For over four decades, George Gee has been the steady pulse behind modern swing music. His journey, from breaking barriers in Pittsburgh to leading the longest-running swing residency in New York City, is proof that swing is more than just history—it’s happening right now.
So if you find yourself in Times Square, step into SWING46, order a drink, and let George Gee take you back to a time when music made people move.
Because swing is still alive, and George Gee is the man making sure it never stops. And as George likes to say:
“Keep on swingin’.”
See George Gee perform at SWING46 every Sun night from 9pm – 12mid
Visit George Gee’s Website at georgegee.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regina Luz Jordan is the founder of Hollywoodland News, a media platform dedicated to uncovering untold stories of vintage Hollywood and beyond.