All That Jazz at Mason District Park

Channel your inner-flapper girl or dapper gentleman this Friday evening as the Hot Society Orchestra of Washington plays hot-jazz music from the 1920s and early 1930s. The local orchestra will perform at amphitheater as part of the Spotlight by Starlight summer concert series.

Learn more about the HSO's performance in this Q&A with musical director Dave Tucker.

How long have you been the musical director of the Hot Society Orchestra of Washington? How has your involvement in the orchestra shaped its musical focus?

The orchestra was formed by myself in December 2008. We were lucky to obtain an agreement with Glen Echo Park to present monthly vintage ballroom dances in their Spanish Ballroom starting in February 2009, so we were off and running very quickly. We filled our schedule nicely in just our first year. I've been the overall musical director and organizer, but I've had lots of help from other members in the band.

The orchestra performs dance music from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s including early-jazz, swing and big-band. Is there one era or style of music that the group focuses on in particular?

We embrace a very wide variety of music styles which is needed for dancers who like to dance to music from 1920s-1940s. For our dances, we play early jazz from New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City and Harlem, some blues and swing, but we also play many of the Latin styles, and always include some waltzes. However, we do specialize in hot-jazz dance orchestra music from the 1920s to the early 1930s which coincides with the Prohibition era that was 1920-1933. We play swing and other styles, but very few groups play the earlier stuff. In its day, this was the music that was popular with young people.

What can local jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike expect from your concert tomorrow?

Our concert will mostly highlight early hot-jazz music from the 1920s and early 1930s, with a few samples of our Latin music.

Has the orchestra ever performed at the Spotlight by Starlight series?

We have played for Fairfax County Parks the last two years, playing mostly at Lake Accotink and Nottoway Parks but this is or first time in Mason District Park.

Do you perform with the group? What do you love most about being a part of the Hot Society Orchestra of Washington?

I am the piano player. My background comes out of playing ragtime and other early jazz styles at music festivals across the country. The HSO is a close-knit group that really enjoys being together. We rehearse and perform often, and really enjoy each other's company. We even get together for things away from music. Most of all, there's nothing like making music with great musicians!

Outdoor lawn concert; cancelled by 3:30 p.m. day of the show if inclement weather. Click here for more information on the Hot Society Orchestra of Washington.

Friday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.; Free
6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA; (703) 324-SHOW