The History of Swing Music and Dancing

The period of the 1930s and 1940s is known as the Swing Era. Big bands like Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and others became household names and music icons ("Jazz History- Swing"). Swing music was a trendy style of jazz, while swing dancing was very popular and performed in many dance halls. As they became more widespread, both became a vital part of America. The 1930s brought a style of music that was possibly the most fashionable and accessible in jazz history. Swing music was an extension of the New Orleans-style jazz almost single-handedly invented by Louis Armstrong, a man that was considered to be one of the greatest of all jazz musicians. Another brilliant musician was Satchmo, who was renowned for playing slightly ahead of the beat and inspired others to do the same (Kallen). Benny Goodman 's bands and combos introduced swing to nationwide audiences through ballrooms, recordings, and the radio in 1934. He was the first white bandleader to include African American and white musicians performing together in public. In 1936, he presented two brilliant African American soloists, pianist Teddy Wilson and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. Up until then, racial discrimination and segregation had suppressed the growth of African American jazz musicians, and carefree swing music began to be the most popular music in America ("The World Book Encyclopedia volume J"). Before the 1930s, bands in New York, Chicago, and the Southwest started to replace the traditional small group New Orleans style of jazz with larger and more powerful groups comprising of 12 to 16 musicians. A reason for this change was the lack of technology. Without a microphone or other amplification, bands had to devise another way to be heard in large ballrooms and dance halls. By increasing the number of musicians, the volume rose and arrangers became a key to the success of big bands. Bandleaders like Duke Ellington became famous as composers and arrangers, while other leaders hired arrangers or commissioned music for their groups. The New York big band style focused on the commercial tunes from Tin Pan Alley and other original compositions, finally blending the music of soloists like Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderdecke, Coleman Hawkins, and Benny Goodman. Bands in Kansas City and the West were known for blues-oriented works concentrating on a steady swing from the rhythm section. A crucial part of success to these groups were the soloists, who added creativity and excitement to the music. The horn sections behind the soloists often improvised, but they eventually formalized their parts. However, the popularity of big bands decreased when World War II was coming to an end. By the 1940s, bebop was being created, and clubs like Minton 's Playhouse and Monroe 's Uptown House offered a place for the next generation of jazz musicians including Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell ("Jazz History- Swing"). . The 1930s established a style of music known as swing, which quickly rose in popularity and became an essential part of the culture. Swing dancing began around the 1930s. In March of 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened its doors and turned out to be an immediate success. Inspired by the presence of great dancers and African American bands, music at the Savoy was mostly swing. In 1927, a style of dancing was termed as the "Lindy Hop," and in the mid-1930s, a bouncy six beat variant was named the "Jitterbug" by bandleader Cab Calloway ("Swing History Origins of Swing Dance"). In the Lindy Hop, a man and a woman would demonstrate their ability to spin, reeling in and unwinding each other at a fast tempo while dancing to the music of the Swing Era. The dance became famous for its athletic airborne lifts and daring moves. The man would throw his partner in the air and catch her at a breakneck speed, and then he would continue dancing ("The New Book of Knowledge volume D"). In 1938, the Harvest Moon Ball, a dance contest, included a Lindy Hop and a Jitterbug competition for the first time, which was captured on film and presented for all to see in the Paramount, Pathe, and Universal short motion pictures. By the late 1930s and 40s, the terms "Lindy Hop," "Jitterbug," "Lindy," and "Swing" were used to describe the same dance occurring on the streets, in night clubs, and in movies. Dance schools did not begin formally teaching the Lindy Hop until the early 1940s, since they were more interested in foreign dances. In the same time period, Laure Hailé, a swing dancer and competitor, documented what was being danced. At that time, Dean Collins, a man who helped choreograph or danced in over 120 movies, was leading the action along with Lenny Smith and Lou Southern in night clubs and competitions in Southern California. Hailé named it "Western Swing." Swing spread across the United States and evolved into many regional styles. The late 1940 's brought about dances that grew from blues music, like the Imperial Swing originating from St. Louis, the Houston Push, Cajun Swing, and the Carolina Shag, among others ("Swing History Origins of Swing Dance"). . Swing dancing began as a fad in the early 1900s and became an important part of the 20s, but after almost 80 years, it still exists today. Swing music and swing dancing started at around the same time, and they rapidly became a very popular trend. The period of the 1930s and the 1940s is the only age in history when a style of surpassed all other genres of music in the United States. During this time, swing music was "king." This is the history of swing music and swing dancing.

Bibliography
Kallen, Stuart. The History of Jazz. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books, 2003.

World Book, Inc. (2003). "Jazz." The World Book Encyclopedia volume J.
Groiler Incorporated. (2002). "Dance." The New Book of Knowledge volume D.

Swing History Origins of Swing Dance. 19 Mar. 2007 http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/swing.htm>

Jazz History- Swing. 19 Mar. 2007 http://www.vervemusicgroup.copm/history.aspx?hid=11>

Bibliography: Kallen, Stuart. The History of Jazz. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books, 2003. World Book, Inc. (2003). "Jazz." The World Book Encyclopedia volume J. Groiler Incorporated. (2002). "Dance." The New Book of Knowledge volume D. Swing History Origins of Swing Dance. 19 Mar. 2007 http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/swing.htm> Jazz History- Swing. 19 Mar. 2007 http://www.vervemusicgroup.copm/history.aspx?hid=11>