Level 150: Kyle Athayde (the Kyle Athayde Dance Party)

I stumbled across Kyle Athayde and his band in a unique way. I first discovered Kyle as a jazz vibraphonist while listening to one of my current favorite jazz pianists, a guy named Sullivan Fortner. Sullivan’s newest album is a duo album with Kyle on vibes (called Tea For Two). I hadn’t heard of Kyle, so I went to YouTube and typed in Kyle Athayde. His band, the Kyle Athayde Dance Party,  came up with a bunch of video game covers, and there were also links to videos of his days as a professional Smash Bros player. So I immediately emailed him and scheduled an interview. It was great fun talking with Kyle about games and jazz!

PLAYLIST

“SDI” by Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

Sullivan Fortner / Kyle Athayde
“Jump For Joy”
Tea for Two (2020)

Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt and Dizzy Gillespie
“The Eternal Triangle”
Sonny Side Up (1959)

“Title Theme” from Mario Kart 64, arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
“Sing Sing Sing” (1937)

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
“Down South Camp Meetin’”
On the Air (1937-1938)

Don Ellis
“5/4 Getaway”
Tears of Joy (1971)

Realistic Orchestra & Jazz Mafia
“Wine”
Live in San Francisco (2003)

Jazz Mafia
“Sweet Memory” feat. Dublin & Joe Bagale
Brass, Bows and Beats (2010)

Count Basie
“Corner Pocket”
Live at the Sands (Before Frank) (1966)

Stan Kenton
“Fuego Cubano”
Cuban Fire!
(1956)

Stan Kenton
“Frank Speaking”
New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm (1953)

Duke Ellington
“Take the ‘A’ Train”
rec. 1941

Duke Ellington
“Asphalt Jungle”
In the Uncommon Market (rec. 1963)

Duke Ellington
“Such Sweet Thunder”
Such Sweet Thunder (1957)

“Super Mario Ground Theme” arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“Guile’s Theme” arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“Victory Music” from Final Fantasy VII arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“Kisha” by Nate Sparks
The Nate Sparks Big Band

“Chelsea Bridge” arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“SDI” by Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“The Wolf Girl”
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

“Take the ‘A’ Train”, arr. Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde Dance Party

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