Swing and Big Band Music

A Presentation created by:Meghann Hall,

Karen Lucas,Emily Mangold,

and Rosanna Sartore

History of this Genre

Big band has existed in jazz music from the swing era into the present

Big bands play swing, bop big bands, progressive big bands, and modern/experimental big bands

Rhythm section emphasized a four-to-the-bar beat Horns were used to play syncopated figures over

the beat which made for a punchier sound Musical arrangements became more important. Many big bands that became popular began and

reached their peak during the swing era which is why the terms big band and swing are often interchanged

Rise and Fall of Swing

The popularity of swing began around 1935 with the arrival of Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing”

Swing music dominated the American social world until the end of World War II

The war drafted many of the big band members Another factor is blamed on the strike of the Musician Union,

which lasted a full 27 months The cabaret tax was introduced in 1941, causing clubs to

pay 30% of their ticket sales in taxes A new jazz sound, Bebop, began to grow in popularity along

with less expensive rhythm and blues bands Swing, which became popular during the depression and was

so popular when the war started, became a reminder of those grim years. The Swing Era died

Swing Revival

In 1992, Brian Setzer introduces the Brian Setzer Orchestra and his own neo-swing style to the fans of his Stray Cats days

Swing dances like the Lindy Hop and West Coast swing began to grow in popularity fueled by this style and vice-versa

Night clubs began featuring swing dancing nights and bands such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Brian Setzer began headlining clubs

Movies with swing music (Swing Kids-1993 and Swingers-1996)

By the summer of 1998, bands such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies flew up the charts

Media coverage of the swing fad and record sales of neo-swing music have declined since 2000, but there are organizations and clubs around the world that are still devoted to swing dancing and music

Well-Know Performers

Duke Ellington Louis Prima Benny Goodman

Duke Ellington

Called his music “American Music” Duke Ellington is best remembered for the

over 3000 songs that he composed during his lifetime. His best known for; "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing“.

Duke Ellington was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

Louis Prima

At the time he was considered one of the greatest contributor towards modern music.

Was a great musical influence to future performers such as Elvis Presley.

Some of his songs include; “Sing Sing, Sing”, “I Ain’t Got Nobody”, “Just A Gigolo”, and many others.

His music is still used in television show and movies today such as:› Elf (2003)- Pennies From Heaven› We Own The Night (2007) Just A Gigolo and Should I› Dancing With The Stars (2007) Sing, Sing, Sing› Many More for complete list go to: http://www.louisprima.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pELxwTp7gk&feature=PlayList&p=C111F00B38445995&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

Benny Goodman

Has been named as the King of Swing He was phenomenal clarinetist and

band leader. During an era of segregation, he also

led one of the first racially-integrated musical groups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwDN9UMMi3c

Uses in the Classroom

Upper Primary Students can learn the basic step of the swing dance.› Use mantra, “step, step, rock step”› Start by stepping without

the music and then addmusic to see if students canfollow the beat

Swing Dancing Tutorial Video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqd78wIcB2A&feature=related

Uses in the Classroom

Play swing music to younger aged children. › Have them move to the

music› Have them create art that

shows how the music makes them feel

› Have them pick out instruments or sounds within the music

Uses in the Classroom

Learning how to swing dance or simply moving to swing music is great, but there are more things you can do with this concept› Create a historical unit that involves

students dressing up and learning more about the history of the times during the rise of swing

› Connect what they know about swing dancing and music to the other genres they have been learning about

Uses in the Classroom

Take students on a field trip › To see professional swing dancers › To hear big band music live

Bring in Experts to the Classroom› Have a band come in and let students see

them play the instruments they use to play swing music

› Have dancers come in and give lessons and let student see costumes

Activities for Grown-Ups

http://www.evilleswingcats.com/› If you want to learn

more about swing dancing before teaching, check out this website. They offer tutorials for many different styles of swing dancing.

Local Talent

The Two Tone Express Play at Casino Aztar Genre Includes: Swing, 60s and 70s

Resources

http://www.dukeellington.com/ellingtonbio.html

http://www.bennygoodman.com/about/achievements.html

http://www.louisprima.com/ http://

www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Tone-Express/88245225138

http://www.just-the-swing.com http://www.jazzitude.com/histswing.htm Plus all websites listed on previous slides

The End Thank you for your participation