Swing West, Escondido, CA
Swing West plays Western Swing and Vintage Country.
Their Western Swing is an energetic, entertaining form of Americana that blends the elements of Jazz and Country. Their Vintage Country covers the classics of such performers as Hank Williams (Sr), Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Ian Tyson and others.
This San Diego - based group first got together to play a music festival in June of 2007 at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, Western Heritage Days. The music chemistry was immediate and powerful and they decided to make the trio a permanent thing.
The band consists of David Dekker on guitar and lead vocals, Chris Vitas on violin, Bruce Huntington on acoustic bass, and Matt Dekker on guitar and vocals.
David Dekker has been performing in the San Diego Music scene for over 20 years as a solo artist with 2 CDs to his credit and as a former band member of the New Expression band and the folk duo Homeward Bound.
Chris Vitas has performed with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Starlight Theatre, the Old Globe Theatre, Lamb‘s Players Theatre, Pacific Chamber Opera, San Diego Repertory Theatre and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. He performs on record albums, CDs, motion picture soundtracks, and radio and television commercials.
Bruce Huntington has been on tour numerous times with various bands and has played in showrooms, lounges, and clubs in Las Vegas.
The newest member of Swing West is literally already a member of the family. David's oldest son Matthew Dekker has joined the group on guitar and background vocals.
Born and raised in San Diego, Matthew left town after high school and has lived and played all over the United States. He returned in 2008 to raise his son near family and help his old man out with his new "cowboy" band.
Matthew brings a unique contribution to the band drawing on a diverse musical background ranging from jazz and gospel to country
Since forming, Swing West has performed concerts for San Diego Folk Heritage, the Fallbrook Americana Music Concert Series, the City of Poway’s Fourth of July Celebration, and The Cowboy and Western Extravaganza in Warner Springs. Swing West was the featured performer at the Sam Hinton Folk Festival in 2011, and featured in Poway’s 2011 Summer Concert Series. And when the San Bernardino Symphony Guild wanted a band for their "BACH TO BOOTS" Fundraising Gala they chose Swing West.
