2013 Benicia High School graduate Liam Robertson (Left) is a member of the 13-piece L.A. Swing Barons, a big-band throwback act that has CDs available at Mozart, Einstein & Me and Bayside Vintage Living & Design. (Photo by Wednesday Aja)

By Denise Hasler
Special to the Herald

Art Blakey said that “Music washes away the dust of every day life.” The L.A. Swing Barons are helping make that happen in Southern California. The classic 13-piece jazz big band was formed in 2015 when it became clear that no one in the greater Los Angeles area was playing music capturing the hard swingin’ 1930s /1940s Kansas City sound of Count Basie and his peers.
Dancers from all over Southern California come once a month to the iconic and historic Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles to dance to the Swing Barons’ live & lively music. Many dress in vintage clothing from the era.
They have just released their first CD, and it features a graduate of the Benicia Unified School District’s music program and 2013 Benicia High School graduate Liam Robertson, who plays lead alto saxophone.
The CD, can be found locally at Mozart, Einstein & Me and at Bayside Vintage Living & Design; both located on First Street in downtown Benicia. For each CD that is purchased locally, $5 will be donated to the Benicia High Panther Band Program. The digital version of the CD can also be purchased on CDBaby.com. Mozart, Einstein & Me is located at 620 First St., and Bayside Vintage Living & Design is located at 800 First St., Suite C.
For more information about the band, follow the L.A. Swing Barons on Facebook.

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