In 1996-98, Zort created Swingout-NY, which was the first calendar of Lindy Hop events in New York City. Initially, the Calendar was printed every week until the web became more prevalent. In 1998, Zort yielded the calendar to Yehoodi.com
In 1999, Zort and its principal Alan Sugarman, produced the 85th Birthday Celebration for Frankie Manning at Roseland Ballroom, which yielded a live CD or the event, Swingin' Away and a Blurb Photo Book "A Birthday Celebration." The event attracted 1800 people and featured the Count Basie Orchestra and the George Gee Orchestra. The CD was issued under the Zort Music Label. Video of Roseland Expressing Regrets for Having Barred Manning from Roseland in 1935.
"Honoring the Man Who Helped Make the Lindy Hop", May 22, 2009, New York Times.
Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging, WNET/PBS Documentary -
Initially Aired May 21, 2009.
Ten percent of the video is from Frankie's 85th Roseland Birthday Celebration and Was Supplied by Zort Music
What I learned from the Late Frankie Manning"
Julie Cohen,
2019 Academy Award Nominee for Ruth Ginsbur
May 14, 2009, Our Town and Westsider (New York City Local Newspapers).
Available at Bandcamp.
https://zortmusic.bandcamp.com/album/swingin-away
A few CD's are avaialable at https://www.amazon.com/Swingin-GEORGE-MAKE-BELIEVE-BALLROOM-ORCHESTRA/dp/B000035X83/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3L6YWAZDC4TQH&keywords=swingin+away&qid=1676232923&sprefix=swingin+away%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-7
Our First release: "Swingin' Away" ... the LIVE recording of George Gee and His Make- Believe Ballroom Orchestra at Frankie Manning's 85th Birthday Party, May 26, 1999 at Roseland Ballroom.
12 page poster of photos from the event, choreography for the Shim Sham and the Lindy Chorus, and Frankie Manning calling the Shim Sham to Stompin' at the Savoy. Not to be missed. The CD is a collector's item and is available only at Ebay.
SWINGIN' AWAY" TRACK LIST (Total Time 1:00:14)
| Tr | Title | Songwriter | Solos | Time | BPM |
| 1 | TAKE THE A TRAIN | Billy Strayhorn | Szymanski | 2:56 | 192 |
| 2 | INTRO TO BLUES | Gee | 0:58 | 144 | |
| 3 | BLUES FOR STEPHANIE | John Clayton, Jr. | Wiseman, Germanson | 4:15 | 144 |
| 4 | SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE | Charles Calhoun | Lance Bryant vocals | 3:00 | 142 |
| 5 | BASIE BOOGIE | Frank Foster | Germanson | 2:58 | 198 |
| 6 | LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL | Fleecie Moore, Sam Theard | Carla Cook vocals; Pazant | 2:27 | 156 |
| 7 | SHE'S NEVER SATISFIED | Lance Bryant | Lance Bryant vocals | 5:33 | 148 |
| 8 | ROLL EM | Mary Lou Williams | Pazant, Germanson | 4:53 | 200 |
| 9 | FOUR FIVE SIX | Frank Foster | Szymanski, Bryant | 4:30 | 144 |
| 10 | THE LADY IS A TRAMP | R. Rodgers, L. Hart | Carla Cook vocals | 1:56 | 184 |
| 11 | PENNIES FROM HEAVEN | A. Johnston, J. Burke | Carla Cook vocals; Bryant, Germanson | 2:35 | 154 |
| 12 | 720 IN THE BOOKS | Jan Savitt , Johnny Watson, Harold Adamason | Pazant, Stephens | 2:16 | 206 |
| 13 | EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES | Peter Chatman aka Memphis Slim | Lance Bryant vocals | 6:05 | 130 |
| 14 | BLUES IN HOSS' FLAT | Frank Foster, | Gardner, Ghee, Trowers, Germanson | 5:15 | 148 |
| 15 | THE CONTINENTAL | Con Conrad, Herbert Magidson | Szymanski vocals | 3:40 | 160 |
| 16 | WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOP | Leslie John Akins, Andy Kirk | Germanson, Stephens, Pazant | 2:48 | 190 |
| 17 | STOMPIN' AT THE SAVOY | Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, Edgar Sampson | Bryant, Szymanski, Pazant Frankie Manning Calling the Shim Sham, | 4:01 | 172 |
In 2001, Sugarman was the managers for George Gee's Orchestra at Swing City Zürich, held at the gorgeous train station in Zürich, Switzerland, with a resulting CD issued on the Zort Music Label.
"SWINGIN' AT SWING CITY ZURICH" available at bandcamp https://zortmusic.bandcamp.com/album/swingin-at-swing-city-zurich. Also, a few are available at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Swingin-At-Swing-City-Zurich/dp/B0001ENYPI/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2XVE1998LVQ4D&keywords=george+gee&qid=1676232775&sprefix=george+gee%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-9
 |
 |
In 2002, Zort and Sugarman produced an 80th birthday celebration for famed Trombonist Eddie Bert at Town Hall, New York City. Featured at the celebration were artists such as Clark Terry and the George Gee Orchestra.
In 2014, Zort and Sugarman produced the Savoy Ball at Edison Ballroom Celebration the 100th Birthday of Frankie Manning. The night featured five bands including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, the George Gee Orchestra, and the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet (Latin Grammy 2019.) Leading dancers such as Dawn Hampton, Ryan Francois, Chester Whitmore, and others performed.
Zort and Sugarman during this period were active supporters of non-profits such as Dancing Classrooms, Inc. and Tango For All, Inc.
In 2017, Zort and Sugarman are continuing their 20 year effort to reform the cabaret and dancing laws in New York City. Click here for the Dancing Reform page.
In Memory of Frankie Manning (1914-2009)
A Photo Book by Alan D. Sugarman
"A Birthday Celebration"
Frankie Manning's 85th Birthday Celebration
Roseland Ballroom, May 26, 1999
60 Pages of Memorable Photographs!!
