Category Archives: Swing

Swing

Jazz Swing Legend : Count Basie

Jazz Swing Legend #2: Count Basie

Count Basie was an American pianist, orchestra leader, and composer, born in 1904. He was a pioneer of swing music, a genre of jazz that emerged in the 1930s and dominated American popular music until the end of World War II. Basie is widely regarded as one of the greatest band leaders of all time, known for his unique jazz style and innovation.

Basie began his musical career as a pianist in various jazz bands, but it wasn’t until he formed his own orchestra in 1935 that he became a household name. He is known for his bluesy and straightforward playing style and his ability to bring together a group of talented musicians to play jazz, swing, and blues music. Known for his tight ensemble playing, swinging rhythms, and exciting solos, his orchestra became one of the most influential and popular swing bands of its time.

Some of Basie’s best-known records are “One O’Clock Jump”, “April in Paris” and “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”. He is also known for his innovative use of big band arrangements and for his own piano playing as a solo instrument in recordings and performances. In addition to his musical career, Bessie was a humanitarian who used his fame and influence to fight for racial equality and social justice.

Basie’s influence on the music world was enormous, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest orchestra leaders and pianists of all time. Posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1980, his music continues to be praised and loved by jazz and swing fans.

count-basie

Photo source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Basie

Jazz Swing Legend : Benny Goodman

Jazz Swing Legend #1: Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman (born 1909) is an American clarinetist, bandleader, and composer. He was a pioneer of swing music, a genre of jazz that emerged in the 1930s and dominated American popular music until the end of World War II. Goodman is often referred to as the “King of Swing” and is credited with popularizing the genre and bringing it to a wider audience.

Goodman began his musical career as an accompanist in various jazz bands, but it wasn’t until he formed his own orchestra in 1934 that he became a household name. He is known for his virtuosity on the clarinet and for bringing together a group of talented musicians who played jazz, swing, and classical music. His orchestra was one of the first to feature African-American musicians, including Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson, and his concerts help for breaking down racial barriers in the music industry.

Some of his most famous records are “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “Let’s Dance” and “King Porter Stomp”. He is also known for his innovative use of swing arrangements in classical compositions such as Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. In addition to his music career, Goodman is a humanitarian who has used his fame and influence to fight for racial equality and social justice.

benny-goodman

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Coltrane

The history of Swing

A Journey Through the History of Swing Music

swing jazz

Swing is a style of jazz that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the African-American community in the United States. It is characterized by strong rhythms, syncopated beats, and cheerful melodies.

The Swing Era was a time of great social change, as people tried to escape the misery of the Great Depression by dancing and listening to music.

The history of the year

1920s:

The roots of swing can be traced back to the late 1920s when jazz musicians began incorporating blues and ragtime elements into their music. Bands began to emerge that featured improvisational solos and a strong rhythmic drive.

1930s:

The swing style fully emerged in the 1930s, with bands like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman becoming popular. Swing music became a national craze, with dance halls and ballrooms packed with people eager to dance to the upbeat music. The 1930s also saw the rise of big bands, with larger ensembles featuring brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.

1935-1939:

The height of the swing era was between 1935 and 1939 when swing music reached its peak of popularity. Some of the biggest bands of the time, such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey, had hit records and sold-out concerts. The music of the swing era was also heavily influenced by the development of radio and recorded music, which allowed swing music to reach a wider audience.

1940s:

The swing era began to decline in the 1940s, as new musical styles like bebop and rhythm and blues emerged. However, swing music continued to influence other genres and remained popular throughout the decade.

Today, swing music continues to be appreciated and studied by musicians and fans alike, and many modern musicians continue to incorporate elements of swing into their music.

swing legend

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_music

Hepcat Records

Your Destination for Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Hard bop and Blues Music