We are Ladies Must Swing… and swing we do!
Welcome to our brand new website! Have a look around, and sign up for our email list at the right, to find out all the latest happenings with the Ladies in 2013!

We play big band swing music and much, much more! Our story is about inspiration and encouragement given by lovers of good music and finding out what entertains and makes them happy. LMS is based in Madison, WI (although many of our 19 energetic dames live in surrounding communities).

Over 15 years ago, LMS became Ladies Must Swing which came from Linda Marty Schmitz, President of the Madison Jazz Society! Thank you to Madison Jazz Society for giving us our very first performance opportunity!The presence of women playing jazz has gotten a lot of attention over the last decade and we are grateful for that. We intend to keep the musical momentum going and invite you to come see us, hear us, dance to us, celebrate with us, and re-live history!

We currently feature five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, bass, drums, congas, guitar and vocalist and play for dances, concerts, parties, outdoor events, and celebrations (any gig is a celebration!). 2012 has been the busiest year ever with programs all over the State of Wisconsin (a swing state!) We look forward to many more gigs in 2013!

So there you have it, a true love story – Ladies Must Swing – together for over 15 years!

Angela Babler
Alto & tenor sax, vocal, whistle


Becky Baumeister
Trumpet


Nancy Boyle
Trumpet, vocal, flugel horn


Deb Dahlman
Alto sax


June Dalton
Alto & tenor sax, clarinet


Jen Dreyfus
Trombone


Margie Duwe
Bass trombone


Marianne Egerstrand
Drums, vocal


Marilyn Fisher
Vocal, percussion


Rebekah Pare
Piano

Judy Harrington
Trumpet, flugel horn


Amy Kerwin
Trombone


Cory Kurzynski
Trombone


Becky Lipsitz
Trumpet


Laurie Riss
String bass


Renee Reindl
Tenor sax


Karen Syverson
Guitar


Jane Shorey
Baritone sax


Nicky Sund
Congas, drums

Q: How do we hire you to play for us?
A: We love to play all kinds of gigs, indoor, outdoor, formal, casual, private, public, etc.
Please Click here to email us with event specifics, and we will return your message promptly!

Q: Does the band have any recordings?
A: We have 2 official recordings: Our latest full length CD, released in 2012 is called,“Just for a Thrill” ($20.00 USD at LMS shows; $22.00 USD by mail), and our first full length CD, released in 2003 is titled, “And Swing We Must” ($15.00 USD at LMS shows; $17.00 USD by mail). Both are now good for the gettin’, and come with great original artwork, so order now before their gone!

To order our music by mail:
Send a check or money order for total amount (based on prices above) to:
June Dalton, 6307 Winnequah Road, Monona, WI 53716-3853
Click here to email us with questions.

Q: Are any of you full time musicians?

A: Well, no and yes. If you mean do any of us make our whole living traveling around the country in a tour bus and playing gigs, then the answer is no. However, a number of our members divide their time between performing in LMS and other bands and doing music-related work like giving voice or instrument lessons.

Q: Why does the band discriminate against men? Don’t you like them?

A: Heck, some of us have even married them!  And seriously, we will often have male guests sit in. But, the point of this band is to get together with other women and have a great time doing something we love. It’s interesting, there is definitely a different vibe being in an all-woman band. There’s more acceptance, support, camaraderie and laughter than some of us have experienced in mixed or predominantly male bands.  We also have a sense of reprising the great tradition of “Girl Bands” from the 30′s and 40′s (see “Some Like It Hot”). So, we sure don’t dislike men, but we definitely love working together to create something different, unique, and woman centered.

Q: How old is Judy Harrington, the woman who plays the pocket cornet on “Sugar Blues”?

A: Judy is now twenty. Buy her a sparkling water and some cotton candy.