Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five featuring Hilary Alexander
2003 Campus Five
SQ Issue:  Spring 2004, Volume 14, Issue 2

The Band:
Jonathan Stout – Guitar; Hilary Alexander – Vocals; Albert Alva – Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet; Jim Ziegler – Trumpet/Vocals; Christopher Dawson – Piano; Jim Garafolo – Bass; Josh “Kid” Collazo - Drums

“Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander is a septet dedicated to preserving the classic and often overlooked small group swing from the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.  Founded by two dedicated swing dancers and vintage lifestyle enthusiasts, and using only the best of LA’s jazz community, the Campus Five was a way to expose many dancers and listeners alike to some of the more interesting and under appreciated tunes from the swing era, while still being one of the most danceable bands playing swing today.” – Press release.

This band certainly is dedicated to swingin’!  This CD is packed with great music for dancers with tempos varying from 104 beats per minute (bpm) to 231 bpm. 

While you listen, you can feel like you are taken back to the late 1930’s with the pleasing vocals of Hilary Alexander and the fabulous musicianship of the band.  It sounds like you are listening to a band “from the day” rather than a current band.  You just don’t have to deal with the pops and scratches of the old technology.

The songs selected are good because you’ll probably recognize some of the tunes, if not the titles, but are also treated to lesser known music that is equally pleasing.  Some of my favorite “recognizable” tunes include Mister 5x5, Cow Cow Boogie, Swingin’ on Nothin’,  Shoo Fly Pie and Lester Leaps In.

I also enjoyed some lesser known songs (by me, at least!) Diga Diga Doo, Jammin’ the Blues, Down the Road a Piece and Squatty Roo.  The musicianship is top drawer and the solos are second to none from song to song.  This CD is packed with great danceable tunes.   If you like Jazz, this is a CD for you.

 Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy….. Buy!  Here’s how: www.campusfive.com