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For the 100th anniversary of Lindy Hop, David Hermlin returns to the Rock That Swing Festival in a very special way: for the first time at RTSF, the orchestra will take the stage in its complete 15-piece Big Band line-up.
The Swing Dance Orchestra is far more than just another Swing band. For decades, it has stood for musicianship at the highest level, an extraordinary dedication to the sound and spirit of the 1930s and 40s, and a live experience that brings the golden age of Swing vividly back to life.
At the heart of the orchestra is David Hermlin—bandleader, arranger, composer and an exceptional drummer whose playing is deeply rooted in the great Swing drummers of the era. But David is just as remarkable as an entertainer: with his energy, charm and natural stage presence, he embodies the kind of showmanship rarely seen since the great bandleaders of the 1930s.
Since taking over the orchestra in 2026, David’s own compositions and arrangements have increasingly shaped its sound, while his sister Rachel Hermlin brings another distinctive voice to the band as its singer.
Instruments, microphones, music stands and wardrobe reflect the period down to the smallest detail—but this is no museum piece. Classics such as “Moonlight Serenade,” “Caravan,” “Begin the Beguine” and “In the Mood” meet forgotten treasures and original arrangements, played with tremendous drive, precision and personality.
Fifteen musicians, the full sound of a great Swing orchestra and one of the most charismatic young bandleaders of today—a very special Big Band highlight for the 20th anniversary of Rock That Swing and 100 years of Lindy Hop.
swingdanceorchestra.de