Ryan Martinsen

Favorite Jazz Band

Posted by Ryan  November 13, 2007

If you’ve read my little blub in the footer you would know that I love New Orleans style Dixieland Jazz music. This question naturally lends itself, of course, to “who’s your favorite dixieland jazz band?”

So because you asked I’ll tell you. This is liable to change at anytime should I hear a better band, but my favorite as of this writing is a band called The Loose Marbles. I present you with a video. Because I like videos. They are fun.

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Ask and ye shall receive

Posted by Ryan  November 7, 2007

People liked the videos so I thought I’d post another one today. I don’t know why I never posted this (maybe I did?)! It’s from the Rhythmic Arts Festival which took place over New Years this past year. This is a video of the Jack and Jill finals, which I am in (still not sure how I made finals). For those who don’t know, a jack and jill contest is a contest for which you don’t have an assigned partner. You dance in the prelims with random partners and then for the finals you also get a random partner.

I got a dancer from Denver, Teni, for the finals. We’re the 4th couple. This was the first time (and only time so far) I’d ever made finals in any national competition. I didn’t feel nervous, but my mind was completely blank and I’m not terribly proud of how I danced, but who really cares? It was fun and that’s what matters. Live and learn.

And just because it’s so cool, here’s the partner charleston finals from the same weekend:

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Salt Lake Jitterbugs

Posted by Ryan  November 6, 2007

I don’t think I’ve ever posted videos of our team performances. So here you go. I’m on the far left in both videos.

This is from Camp Hollywood 2006, where we took 2nd place:

This is from the 2007 Utah Lindy Exchange:

For of you who are thinking “wow, I want them to perform at my next company party!” or something similar to that, check out our cool website, theswingteam.com. The site, by the way, was designed by the incredible designer I work with. He also does photography.

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