Gotta Swing!
Eyal Vilner Swing Band

Eyal Vilner is one of the leading new voices in the New York swing and big band scene. 

Originally from Tel Aviv, the saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer, and bandleader moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year. 

The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely at some of New York’s landmarks such as Lincoln Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, The Joyce Theater, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Midsummer Night’s Swing, and Central Park SummerStage. Internationally, Vilner has performed on Israel’s most prestigious stages, including at the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Tel Aviv Museum, Jerusalem Theater, and The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, as well as the historical La Bellevilloise, Le Duc des Lombards, and Caveau de la Huchette in France. 

The big band performs Vilner’s original compositions as well as his new arrangements of jazz classics. Their music, which derives from the tradition of jazz, swing and the blues, strives to bring a unique voice to this beautiful art form. The big band’s first six albums are: Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band (2011), Almost Sunrise (2015), Hanukkah (2016), Swing Out! (2019), Live in Washington Square Park! (2021), and The Jam! (2022), which received rave reviews and made it to the Top Jazz Radio Charts of the U.S. and Canada. 

To learn more about Eyal Vilner, please visit his website (eyalvilner.com). 

Jennifer Nicole Jones is a New York City-based dancer. Originally from Akron, Ohio she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Wright State University, while performing with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Jones has performed in many regional and off-Broadway productions, including Swing! The Musical. Her television credits include Godfather of Harlem, Soultrain Music Awards, Boardwalk Empire, and Showtime at the Apollo. Most recently, she appeared in The Joyce Theater’s production of SW!NG OUT. 

Learn more about Jennifer Nicole Jones on Instagram (@jennifernicolejones).  

Ray F. Davis is a performer, choreographer, teacher born in Kingston, Jamaica, currently residing in the Bronx. He has been a professional dancer for 17 years and he is still always adding movement from different genres. Davis trained under the BLADE technique with the Hip Hop Dance Conservatory. He was the Associate Artistic Director of the Conservatory and BLADE Dance Academy. He is proficient in various styles of Hip Hop and many genres of partner dance as well as solo dances, such as lindy hop, salsa, foxtrot, ballet, modern, and jazz to name a few. He has performed and taught in China, Cuba, Barbados, Sweden, England, Canada, Puerto Rico, Korea and various cities in the United States. Davis sends a huge thank you to his mentors, dancers, teachers, and people who continue to influence and cultivate his passion for movement. 

Learn more about Ray F Davis on Instagram (@rayfdavis). 

Gaby Cook is an esteemed, active professional in the global lindy hop community. For nearly 20 years, she been teaching and performing worldwide for events such as Herräng Dance Camp, Paris Jazz Roots, and Lindy Focus. In New York, she performs for theater, film, and is principal dancer in SW!NG OUT, produced by the Joyce Theater.  A Guggenheim Works & Process Residency recipient, her stage credits include the 50^th Anniversary Kennedy Center Celebration, BET Soul Train Awards, Jacob’s Pillow’s Inside/Out Series, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center, and many appearances at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. 

To learn more about this Gaby Cook, please visit her website (http://gabycook.com). 

Nathan Bugh is a swing-dance champion, performer, teacher, and co-creator of the Joyce Theater’s SW!NG OUT. He has performed at Carnegie Hall (Swing Swing Swing w/ New York Pops), The Apollo Theater (Swingin’ Frankie’s Way), and Jacob’s Pillow (Earthbeat!, More Forever, SW!NG OUT). Bugh dances in the film, Rebel In The Rye, and in several music videos, including the Weepies’ Be My Honey Pie. He has earned numerous first-place titles in solo jazz, lindy hop, team, invitational, slow dance, and mix/match divisions at events such as the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC). He was also the director and choreographer of “Yeah Man,” the 2015 ILHC Team champions. In 2016, he joined Caleb Teicher for Meet Ella, an acclaimed duet incorporating lindy hop with other jazz/theater styles. His subsequent work with Caleb Teicher & Company has helped expand the possibilities for jazz dance in concert. 

To learn more about this Nathan Bugh, please visit his website (http://www.nathanbugh.com).