Seen in the ‘50s at Sherries on Pulaski Highway featuring Bill Swindell “wild man of the sax,” with Happy Jack “the mad man of rhythm.” The group played at Dowell’s on Pennsylvania Avenue. In summer 1952 Bill and his group performed to an overflow crowd at a Beechwood Park show hosted by WITH DJ’s Hot Rod and Buddy Deane.
Swindell later played for the Al Bundy Trio (‘52-53) featuring Bundy (organ), and Earl Woods (drums). They could be seen at the Club Tijuana, and the P&M Lounge where Bill was famous for walking the bar with his sax.
With some radio and TV exposure Swindell was a popular attraction at local clubs. He also played for the All Star Jazz Group.
During the mid-’50s the Swintones featured Jimmy Goldston aka ‘The Sax’, and vocalist Elaine Middleton.
A 1960s line-up of the Swintones featured Swindell with Dan Haywood (piano), Bobby Nelson (drums), and Mike Seymore (bass). The Swintones could be heard at the Club Astoria on Edmondson Avenue in 1960.
