Michael McQuaid reminisces about the formation of his swing band Red Hot Rhythmakers from their early days in his hometown of Canberra to a recent sold-out session at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. “Ours is the sort of music that was played in dance halls in the 1920s and '30s in New York and Chicago. It was the Jazz Age, it was for dancing, having a good time partying. It was exciting, energetic.” Gatsby. Squizzy. Nucky Thompson. Melbourne can't get enough of the glamour and vibrancy of the roaring, gilt-edged 1920s and '30s. McQuaid agrees that there has been a recent resurgence: “Ten or 20 years ago in Melbourne, swing dancing became a little more popular and younger people were getting into it, but the modern music didn't fit – they were dancing in the style of one era to the music from another.” McQuaid manages all the compositions, but a lot of what the band write is their take on 'old music'. “We put our own personality on it, what makes it work for modern music as well as old school.”
Arriving in 2006 on the cusp of this thirst, McQuaid's ten-piece band, all in their late-20s, early-30s at the time, found success locally before embarking on a European tour in 2008. “We wanted to reach different audiences who maybe didn't know jazz as well. When we played to young swing dancers in Germany and Sweden, the audiences were our own age or younger and we had fantastic nights. There was one particularly memorable evening in Stockholm where we were treated like rock stars. They hadn't heard that sort of music before so they were really excited.” McQuaid is proud that their fanbase spans generations, but consists predominantly of young swing dancers. The band's music also incorporates Australian jazz, which is a different take on American jazz. “The feel of the former is more laidback; they didn't take themselves as seriously. When the late Graeme Bell, an iconic figure in the early Australian jazz scene, went to Europe with his band in the 1930s, the audience danced to his music instead of just sitting back and listening to it. Australian jazz had a big impact, the music is rhythmic and fun, and that's what we try to do as well.” Bell, who passed away just last year, was a mentor figure for Red Hot Rhythmakers. They performed at his last-ever concert in Melbourne as his feature band, where Bell, then over 90 years old, played the piano.
Guests at the Gangster's Ball this year can look forward to some of the band's new material from their upcoming third album. McQuaid also promises collaborations with dance troupe Echoes Of Harlem: “They will choreograph live to our music. It's exciting for people to come to Gangster's Ball and listen to music they've never heard before, and see how exciting old-school jazz can be.”
