A Brief History of Big Bands & Swing Music in the 1920s & 30s

Summary

In the 1930s, swing music became a cultural phenomenon in the United States, with big bands and jazz becoming increasingly popular. Iconic figures like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman rose to fame during this era, with Ellington leading a successful band at the Cotton Club and Goodman earning the title 'King of Swing.' The 1938 Carnegie Hall concert marked a pivotal moment for jazz, making it widely accepted by mainstream audiences. Swing also gave rise to dance crazes like the Jitterbug and Lindy Hop, while breaking racial barriers as musicians of different backgrounds performed together. Today, the legacy of swing music and its stars continues to influence modern music.

Takeaways

• 😀 Swing music gained popularity in the 1930s, especially among young Americans.
• 😀 Big band music, a type of swing music, typically featured 12 to 25 musicians.
• 😀 The instrumentation of swing bands included saxophones, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, drums, and standup bass.
• 😀 Duke Ellington was a major figure in the swing era, known for his work as a composer, pianist, and band leader.
• 😀 Ellington's group became the house band at the Cotton Club in New York City in 1926, earning national exposure.
• 😀 Benny Goodman, known as the 'King of Swing,' was another key figure in 1930s swing music, particularly noted for his clarinet playing.
• 😀 The iconic Benny Goodman concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938 is regarded as a key moment in swing music's mainstream acceptance.
• 😀 Swing music also gave rise to popular dance crazes like the Jitterbug and the Lindy Hop.
• 😀 Swing dance, a form of dance originating from the swing music era, remains popular to this day.
• 😀 Swing music helped break down racial barriers by bringing together white audiences and African-American performers.
• 😀 The legacy of swing music lives on today, with many current musicians citing figures like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman as key influences.

Q & A

What is swing music and what instruments are typically involved in a swing band?

Swing music is a genre of jazz that became very popular in the 1930s. A swing band usually consists of 12 to 25 musicians, with instruments like saxophones, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, drums, and a stand-up bass.

Who was Duke Ellington and why was he significant to the swing music era?

Duke Ellington was a composer, pianist, and bandleader who became famous in the late 1920s. He was an influential figure in the swing era, producing classics like 'Mood Indigo' and 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' and helping to popularize swing music.

What was the Cotton Club and how did it contribute to Duke Ellington's popularity?

The Cotton Club was a prestigious nightclub in New York City that catered to a wealthy clientele. Duke Ellington's band became the house band there in 1926, and the club broadcast Ellington’s performances on the radio, giving him national exposure.

What major event in the 1930s is seen as the moment swing music gained full acceptance by mainstream audiences?

The major event was the concert known as 'Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall' on January 16, 1938. It was a historic performance where Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and others performed for a sold-out audience, signaling the mainstream acceptance of jazz and swing music.

Who was Benny Goodman and what is his significance in swing music?

Benny Goodman, known as the 'King of Swing,' was a clarinetist and the leader of a popular swing band. He became highly influential in the 1930s, and his concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938 was a turning point in the popularization of swing music.

What were the Jitterbug and Lindy Hop, and how did they relate to swing music?

The Jitterbug was a popular dance craze in the 1930s, and the Lindy Hop was another popular dance that emerged in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Both dances were closely associated with swing music and played a significant role in the cultural impact of the genre.

What is swing dance and how does it connect to swing music?

Swing dance is a style of dance that developed alongside swing music. It includes various dance forms like the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, and remains a popular form of dance today, reflecting the lasting influence of swing music.

What terms or slang developed in the swing music scene, and what do they mean?

Slang terms like 'hipster,' 'hepcat,' and 'jive' emerged in the swing music scene. These terms were used to describe people who embraced the swing culture, with 'hipster' referring to someone who was fashionable or in-the-know, 'hepcat' meaning someone who was cool or adept at swing dancing, and 'jive' referring to the upbeat, rhythmic nature of the music.

How did swing music contribute to breaking down racial barriers in American society?

Swing music helped break down racial barriers by bringing together white audiences who enjoyed the music of African-American performers. It also saw musicians of various races sharing the stage and performing together, fostering greater racial integration in music and society.

Why are Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and other swing performers still remembered today?

Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and other swing musicians are remembered as icons of American popular music. Their innovative contributions to jazz and swing have had a lasting influence on modern music, with many current musicians citing them as important musical influences.