By: Jaclyn Breeze — Swing music was most popular in the 1930s and 40s – a time period that is sometimes called the swing era. During this time, groups usually consisted of about 12-16 players, and they began reading music more than improvising, which was a big overhaul to the genre of jazz. It also was the first jazz music that was nationally popular.
Swing music features a lot of repetition in the musical ideas, with musicians using lighter rhythms than had previously been popular. Basses and guitars were introduced to bands, replacing tubas and banjos.
Swing dance was a social dance that developed with the music, with hundreds of variations on the style, and is still popular today.
Recordings:
Count Basie – One O’Clock Jump
Fletcher Henderson – Sugarfoot Stomp
Duke Ellington – Take the A Train
Chick Webb – Midnite In A Madhouse
Jimmie Lunceford – For Dancers Only
Glenn Miller – Tuxedo Junction
Grab a parent or friend and try some swing dancing to some of these songs!
Rochester Swing dances:
Thursday Night Swing-In (offers free lessons!)