Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra

The leader of this dynamic crew, Doc Scantlin, is the last of the true gentlemen. Doc finds himself stuck in the 1920s - 40s, having his everyday clothing consist of vintage double-breasted suits, cuffs, handkerchiefs, spats, etc. "the southern aristocracy is dying off at a rate that's very good for my wardrobe," Doc once said, having collected most of his clothing at vintage stores in Richmond, Virginia. What is one to think of someone who, in the middle of a project, dresses in suit and tie to make a trip to the hardware store in his 1937 Buick Limited? Doc truly appreciates that optimistic, cultured, mannered, proper era of America's past. Even so, "It's easy to romanticize the past, but I don't think of myself as a person from another era. This is a wonderful time to be alive. I wouldn't trade places with any other epoch," Doc admits.

You would never realize Doc's devotion to the present during his performances. The whole performance is a recreation of the elegance, romance and well mannered youthful exuberance from a period of time that still affects us and at the same time seems so far away from today's pop culture.

As music and dance fads come and go, Doc has remained true to his love of the music and entertainment and is overjoyed with the opportunity to share this with his audience. Not a strictly armchair jazz buff or laboratory dance enthusiast, Doc simply says, "I always liked all the different kinds of music from the twenties and thirties up to about World War II. That was always where my heart was. But to perform it and see the pleasure it gives to others is the greatest joy of all." Hide