Rémy KouaKou Kouamé

Rémy Kouakou Kouame, an internationally renowned choreographer, dancer and performer in the field of Swing dances. Rémy is distinguished for his singular artistic practice, skillfully combining the authenticity of traditional dances with an innovative approach, drawing inspiration from various art forms.

His expertise spans styles such as Boogie Woogie, Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz, where he has gained professional recognition winning several awards in these areas. Rémy stands out for his constant desire for artistic evolution, not hesitating to question his own convictions to progress in his practice and his teachings.

As an experienced educator and performer, he focuses on conveying the joy inherent in dance and encouraging artists to discover their personal creative voice. His presence in international festivals testifies to his influence by sharing his knowledge and his passion for Swing dances, while proposing an innovative approach which combines respect for traditions and originality.

Eyal Vilner

Eyal Vilner has become one of the leading new voices in the New York and global

swing scene. Born in Tel Aviv, saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and bandleader,

Eyal moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year.

The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely at some of New York’s

landmarks such as Lincoln Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, The Joyce

Theater, Birdland, Dizzy's Club, Smalls Jazz Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Harlem

Jazzmobile, Midsummer Night's Swing, and Central Park SummerStage. Internationally,

Eyal has performed on Israel's most prestigious stages such as the Red Sea Jazz Festival,

Tel Aviv Museum, Jerusalem Theater, The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival as well as the historical

La Bellevilloise, Le Duc des Lombards, and Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, France.

Eyal’s band’s performs his original compositions as well as his new arrangements of jazz

classics. Their music, which derives from the tradition of jazz, swing and the blues,

strives to bring a unique voice to this beautiful art form.

Eyal's interest in the exchange between sound and movement within the jazz idiom

inspired his musical journey and yielded collaborations with acclaimed dancers and

choreographers. Among these projects are theater productions, dance festivals and

competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships, Midsummer Night's

Swing, and the celebrated SW!NG OUT show at the Joyce Theater (co-creator and

musical director). This show, which the New York Times has called "Groundbreaking,"

has toured throughout the US, in venues such as the Jacob’s Pillow and the LA Music

Center.

The Eyal Vilner Big Band’s first six albums: Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band

(2011), Almost Sunrise (2015), Hanukkah (2016), and Swing Out! (2019), Live in

Washington Square Park! (2021), and The Jam! (2022), received rave reviews and made

it to the Top Jazz Radio Charts of the US and Canada.