Swing Brief History of Swing Music Woody Herman

Swing

Brief History of Swing Music Woody Herman Duke Ellington • Swing influenced by 1920 s jazz. • Swing started becoming popular in the 1930 s and was recognised as its own style in the 1940 s. The style faded during WWII because it became difficult to source large bands as so many people were fighting overseas. • By the late 40 s, Swing had morphed into traditional pop music, jump blues and bebop. • The style became popular again during the late 50 s and 60 s with vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland 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 29 th 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 1930 s, 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 24 th 1974 at the age of 75.

Key Innovators • • Count Basie William James “Count” Basie was born on 21 st 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 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 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 26 th, 1984 at the age of 79.