Imagine a night where time travel feels not only possible but is delivered on the wings of a trumpet’s blast and the smooth swing of a saxophone. That’s exactly what happened Friday night from 8:30 to 10:30PM at the Hyatt Centennial II-IV, where the Atlanta Swing Orchestra transported sci-fi fans back to the Big Band ea. The event was a nostalgic nod to the past, yet it was buzzing with an energy that made it feel right at home in any futuristic dance hall.
The Atlanta Swing Orchestra is no ordinary band. They’re on a mission, not across the stars, but through time, keeping the Great American Songbook alive and kicking. With a lineup of tunes that spanned from the roaring 1930s and 40s to modern classics, this group of dedicated musicians didn’t just play music—they created a portal to the past that had everyone on their feet, tearing up the dance floor like it was 1945.
What makes this orchestra even more intriguing is their origin story. The Atlanta Swing Orchestra began as an offshoot of the Atlanta Lawyers Orchestra, where a group of musically inclined attorneys decided that swing was where the real action was. They first called themselves “Frivolous Motion,” a clever nod to the legal term for a time-wasting endeavor. But as the lawyers gave way to musicians from all walks of life, the band became less frivolous and more focused on one clear goal: to become a professional dance band that could stand tall among the greats of the 1940s and 50s.
And stand tall they did. The orchestra’s performance on Friday night was nothing short of a time-bending experience, where past and future collided on the dance floor. For those new to the art of swing dancing, there were expert instructors on hand to guide them through the steps. Even those who arrived late were quickly caught up in the rhythm, as helpful dancers ensured no one was left out.
At first, there might have been a bit of hesitation among the crowd—perhaps a few time travelers hadn’t yet found their footing. But it didn’t take long for the floor to fill with enthusiastic dancers, ready to boogie their way back in time. The energy and talent of the Atlanta Swing Orchestra made the night feel truly magical, as if the past had been resurrected, if only for a few hours, to remind us all of the joy of swing.
