Swingorillas are a nine-piece swing band from Salt Lake City. The Swingorillas released their cd 'Dick Suave' in 1999. It received excellent reviews throughout the country. (Check out the 'about' section in their website.) The Swingorillas' sound ranges from traditional 30s swing to an interesting blend of mambo, calypso, boogie woogie and a more modern swing sound.
The Swingorillas have been featured on the national tv show 'Promised Land', played for the nation's mayors and opened up for Bob Dole on his Erectile Dysfunction tour. Bob rocks hard.
Tara Duff, the lead vocalist, hails from across the great ocean. She grew up in Peterborough, England and has since made the city of salt her home. Dale Lee, the band leader, composer, arranger and alto & bari saxophonist has also performed with Ike Willis & Chunga's Revenge, the Violent Femmes and Thirsty Alley. Dan Walker, the featured soloist on tenor saxophone, spent most of his playing days in Los Angeles but has also relocated to the angelic environment of Utah.
The Swingorillas are a soulful, hard swinging band. All the band members are excellent improvisers and four of the men provide rich harmonies and occasional lead vocals to compliment Mz. Duff. Instrumentation includes: five vocalists, alto, tenor and bari saxes, trumpet, trombone, acoustic bass, guitar and drums.