Swing
Brief History of Swing Music
Woody Herman
Duke Ellington
• Swing influenced by 1920s jazz.
• Swing started becoming popular in the 1930s and was
recognised as its own style in the 1940s. The style faded
during WWII because it became difficult to source large
bands as so many people were fighting overseas.
• By the late 40s, Swing had morphed into traditional pop
music, jump blues and bebop.
• The style became popular again during the late 50s and 60s
with vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Nat
King Cole.
• The best swing band leaders were Count Basie, Duke
Ellington, Glen Millar and Woody Herman.
Instruments in a Swing Band
• Double Bass, kept at a steady speed to keep everyone
together
• Brass, (trumpets, trombones)
• Woodwind, (saxophone, clarinets)
• Strings, (violins, guitars)
• Percussion
Fashion During Swing
• Women wore knee length dresses, usually with
bright colours. These could have petticoats or
they could just be flat. This was also the age of
sequins, with black sequined cardigans all the
rage. Women wore their hair often in pin-curls
with a fascinator. Small heels were perfect for
looking feminine while dancing.
Key Innovators
• Duke Ellington
• Born April 29th 1899, Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington is
possibly the most iconic jazz player of all time. He played piano in
New York and revolutionised the way music was performed. In the
1930s, Ellington’s band toured Europe and brought his style of
music to the rest of the world. Although many of the musicians in
his band (such as saxophonist Johnny Hodges) are recognised as
many of the greatest jazz performers of all time, it was Ellington’s
skill that melded them together to created the best-known orchestral
unit in the history of jazz. Some of Duke Ellington’s best works are
“It don’t mean a thing”, “Star Crossed Lovers” and “Blood Count”.
• Duke Ellington died on May 24th 1974 at the age of 75.
Key Innovators
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Count Basie
William James “Count” Basie was born on 21st August 1904 in New Jersey. His
mother taught him to play piano and he started performing in his teens. In 1924
he went to Harlem and toured with jazz bands to Chicago, St Louis and Kansas
City. In 1929 he joined Bennie Moten’s band and played with them until
Moten’s death in 1935.
• That year Basie formed his own jazz orchestra, and in 1936 took them to
Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. He led the group
for almost 50 years, creating innovations like the use of two "split" tenor
saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band and
using arrangers to broaden their sound. Many musicians came to light
under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and
Herschel Evans, the guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and
Harry "Sweets" Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams.
Basie's theme songs were "One O'Clock Jump", developed in 1935 in the
early days of his band, and later "April in Paris".
• Count Basie died in Florida on April 26th, 1984 at the age of 79.