Night School #209: Hank Swarn Tribute w/ Shirley Nanette

Tonight on Night School, we honor the late Hank Swarn. As a jazz guitarist in 1960s Albina, Hank’s style and songwriting served as the bedrock for a generation of local musicians. Along with Mel Brown, Hank was an original member of Billy Larkin & The Delegates. Being an organ trio specializing in soul-jazz, it was commonplace for a group like The Delegates to perform groovy, jazz-tinged adaptations of popular music of the time. Yet it was Swarn’s original compositions that came to define the band, garnering National attention and a record deal with World Pacific. To this day they’re one of the rare Albina groups whose music made it out of the neighborhood.

This evening I’ll be joined by luminary vocalist, Shirley Nanette, as well as band director and pianist, Danny Osborne - both colleagues of Hank’s. We’ll be listening to selections from the great Hank Swarn songbook including Shirley’s 1970 LP, Never Coming Back - a record well-known in collector’s circles, written by Hank Swarn.

In addition, we are nearing the finish line of XRAY’s Fall fund drive. Now is a fantastic time to contribute to the station.