Big Band music at its best
The ‘Big Band Era” music of the 1930’s and 40’s are some of the most memorable and recognizable songs ever written. Swing music, also known as swing jazz, developed in the early 1930’s, by 1935 was the hottest music in the United States.
Origins
Much of the jazz music before and during the 1920’s was based on improvisation in the style of musicians in and around New Orleans. Musicians formed small ‘pickup’ bands and played mostly by ‘ear’ without written music. In the late 20’s and early 30’s bands began to grow and use written arrangements, making it possible for Swing Jazz music to spread across the country, becoming the popular sounds we still enjoy today.
The typical swing jazz band consists of five saxophones: two altos, two tenors and one baritone (all doubling on clarinet) three to four trumpets, three to four trombones, guitar and a strong rhythm section of string bass and drums. Piano is also used extensively.
Although some jazz historians place the beginning of the swing era on the appearance of the Benny Goodman Band at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles in 1935, no one band, incident or location can be accepted as the official start of the Big Band Era.
From 1935 into the mid 40’s, big band jazz was indeed king. This style of music was not without its critics. Some objected to the fast tempos, swing dancing, questionable lyrics and cultural connotations. When swing spread to other countries, for example, Germany, the Nazis banned it because of its relationship to African and Jewish musicians. The Soviet Union outlawed swing music because of its political implications.
Bands and Leaders of Note
Benny Goodman (1909-1986) known as the “King of Swing” was certainly one of the most well-known and respected ambassadors of this new style of music in the 30’s. Trained first as a classical musician, Goodman was equally at home with both jazz and classical styles.
Glenn Miller (1904-1944) was dubbed the most popular band leader in America. However, it only lasted a few years due to his untimely death while flying from England to Paris during World War II. An original trademark of his band was the clarinet lead with the saxophones playing an octave lower. Familiar tunes, In the Mood, String of Pearls and Moonlight Serenade are still popular today.
Harry James (1916-1983) was an outstanding trumpet player. He played in Goodman’s band and later organized his own group. By chance, James hired the young, unknown singer, Frank Sinatra to sing with his band – the rest is history.
Tommy Dorsey (1905-1956) with his brother, Jimmy, created the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra until 1935 when they went their separate ways with their own bands. Later they got back together. They worked with top musicians and arrangers which led to success as one of the top bands of the Swing Era. Along with Benny Goodman the Dorsey brothers helped usher in the Swing Era making recordings with Bing Crosby and Edythe Wright among other great singers.
Artie Shaw(1910-2004) played with many bands and eventually formed his own in the mid-30’s. Hits included the memorable Begin the Beguine, Stardust and Moonglow. His band featured some of the greats including Billie Holiday, Mel Torme and Buddy Rich.
Other notable band leaders include; Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Earl Hines, Gene Krupa, Louis Prima, Kay Kyser, Eddy Duchin, Buddy Rich, Jack Teagarden, Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bob Crosby and Les Brown and his Band of Renown.
These and other great musicians and band leaders are gone now, but for swing band lovers, they and their distinctive brand of music will live forever in the memories of their millions of devoted fans. Fortunately their music has been recorded for generations now and in the future to enjoy and remember.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.