6.2 Swing and big band era

The swing and big band era revolutionized jazz in the 1930s and 40s. It introduced a powerful, rhythmic style that emphasized ensemble playing and complex arrangements. This period saw the rise of iconic bandleaders like Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Swing music had a massive cultural impact, lifting spirits during tough times and breaking down racial barriers. It created a nationwide youth culture centered around ballroom dancing and influenced fashion, language, and social norms across America and beyond.

Swing Era Innovations

Rhythmic and Ensemble Developments

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• Swing music emerged in early 1930s characterized by strong, propulsive rhythm and emphasis on ensemble playing
• Introduced "riffing" using short, repeated melodic phrases as accompaniment or basis for improvisation
• Call-and-response patterns between band sections became hallmark of swing style
• Rhythm section's role evolved emphasizing "four on the floor" bass drum pattern and guitarist's rhythmic chords on weak beats
• Improvisation became more structured occurring within predetermined sections of arrangement

Instrumentation and Arrangement Techniques

• Standard big band instrumentation consisted of brass (trumpets and trombones), woodwinds (saxophones and clarinets), and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, and drums)
• Arrangements featured intricate harmonies and complex, interlocking parts between different band sections
  • Example: Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" showcases intricate interplay between brass and reed sections
• Orchestration balanced various sections to create cohesive and dynamic sound
  • Techniques included dynamic contrasts and section "battles" to create tension and release
• Sophisticated voicings in brass and reed sections allowed for rich harmonic textures
  • Example: Glenn Miller's signature clarinet-led reed section sound in "In the Mood"

Key Figures of Swing

Influential Bandleaders

• Duke Ellington emerged as pivotal figure known for sophisticated compositions and innovative orchestra use
  • Showcased individual musicians within ensemble context (Johnny Hodges on alto saxophone)
• Count Basie developed distinctive style with driving rhythm section and riff-based arrangements
  • Epitomized Kansas City swing sound (songs like "One O'Clock Jump")
• Benny Goodman, "King of Swing," popularized genre and broke racial barriers in music
  • Famous for integrated performances at Carnegie Hall in 1938
• Glenn Miller created unique sound featuring clarinet-led reed section
  • Produced numerous hit recordings ("Moonlight Serenade", "String of Pearls")

Arrangers and Innovators

• Fletcher Henderson, pivotal arranger whose work influenced many top bands
  • Arrangements for Benny Goodman's orchestra helped define the swing sound
• Artie Shaw pushed boundaries of swing with complex arrangements and incorporation of strings
  • Known for virtuosic clarinet playing (exemplified in "Begin the Beguine")
• Chick Webb, influential drummer and bandleader who launched Ella Fitzgerald's career
  • Famous for his energetic drumming style and leadership of the Savoy Ballroom house band

Swing's Social Impact

Cultural Significance

• Played crucial role lifting spirits during Great Depression and World War II
  • Provided entertainment and sense of unity during challenging times
• Popularity of swing dancing, particularly Lindy Hop, created youth culture centered around ballrooms
  • Famous venues included Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles
• Contributed to gradual breaking down of racial barriers
  • Black and white musicians gained popularity and occasionally performed together
• Provided opportunities for women musicians
  • Notable all-female bands like International Sweethearts of Rhythm gained recognition

Nationwide and Global Influence

• Radio broadcasts and recordings helped create national musical culture
  • Certain songs and styles became widely known across United States
• Coincided with and contributed to changes in fashion, language, and social norms
  • Influenced youth culture with new slang terms and dance styles
• Swing music's influence extended internationally
  • Impacted cultures and music scenes in Europe and beyond
  • Example: Django Reinhardt and development of "gypsy jazz" in France

Arranging in Big Bands

Techniques and Innovations

• Arrangers became crucial in shaping big band sound, often as important as bandleaders
  • Example: Billy Strayhorn's arrangements for Duke Ellington's orchestra
• Art of orchestration involved balancing various band sections for cohesive sound
  • Created tension and release using dynamic contrasts and section "battles"
• Voicings in brass and reed sections became increasingly sophisticated
  • Allowed for rich harmonic textures and distinctive band sounds
• Tailored arrangements to highlight strengths of specific musicians
  • Created signature sounds for different ensembles
  • Example: Arrangements showcasing Harry James' trumpet in Benny Goodman's band

Structural and Stylistic Developments

• Integration of written parts with spaces for improvisation required careful planning
  • Maintained overall structure while allowing for individual expression
• Innovations in arranging led to development of sub-styles within swing
  • Contrasting approaches of Ellington and Basie bands
    • Ellington known for complex, textured arrangements
    • Basie favored sparser, riff-based arrangements highlighting rhythm section
• Arrangers developed techniques for creating tension and release within compositions
  • Used devices such as dynamic contrasts and call-and-response between sections