Ridin’ in Rhythm: The Thirties and Swing Professor Jeff Rupert, Director of Jazz Studies, The University of Central Florida
Swing, Americas Popular Music of the 1930’s and 40’s Swing Summary Swing Summary Swing Summary Swing Summary Randalls Island Randalls Island Randalls Island Randalls Island
Fletcher Henderson ( ) Innovator of the big band style. Innovator of the big band style. Composer and arranger for: Composer and arranger for: his band his band Benny Goodman Chick Webb, and others. Fletcher Henderson and the American invention Fletcher Henderson and the American invention
Fletcher Henderson Ensemble passages are written in the style of a soloist. Ensemble passages are written in the style of a soloist. Big Band arrangements feature ensemble and sections, as well as soloists. Big Band arrangements feature ensemble and sections, as well as soloists. These sections are: These sections are: Trumpets (usually 4, may be 3-5) Trombones (usually 4, may be 3-5) Saxophones (5, and they all usually play clarinet, too) Rhythm section; piano, bass, drums, and sometimes guitar.
The Drum set evolves Features the Hi-Hat. Features the Hi-Hat. Drummers able to accents beat 2 &4 in a new way. Drummers able to accents beat 2 &4 in a new way. Drummers began using “ride pattern” on the cymbal. Drummers began using “ride pattern” on the cymbal.
Benny Goodman Virtuoso clarinetist Known by the masses as the King of Swing Used integrated bands for recordings Used the arrangements of Fletcher Henderson Brought jazz into the parlor of America. Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman The “King” of Swing Chicago born clarinetist Popularizes swing. Great band, great soloists Always used the best musicians, regardless of race. Benny Goodman to California
Jimmy Lunceford Band The Greatest Dance band of all time. Underrated group. Outstanding performers and arrangements. Lunceford, Dorsey, Miller Alt version 3:30
Cab Calloway Bandleader/singer Bandleader/singer Unique vocalists with unusual lyrics. (Minnie The Moocher). Unique vocalists with unusual lyrics. (Minnie The Moocher). His band featured great musicians. His band featured great musicians. Coast to coast broadcasts helped popularize his band. Coast to coast broadcasts helped popularize his band.
The Kansas City Bands The Jay McShann Band. The Jay McShann Band. The Benny Moten Band, which becomes the Count Basie Band. The Benny Moten Band, which becomes the Count Basie Band.
William “Count”Basie Pianist from the stride tradition, helps define the swing era and classic big band sound. Pianist from the stride tradition, helps define the swing era and classic big band sound. Leads big bands and small groups from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. Leads big bands and small groups from the 1930’s to the 1980’s.
The Kid From Red Bank’s Early influences:
Basie in Kansas City 1929 talks his way into Benny Moten’s band talks his way into Benny Moten’s band. He takes it over in 1935 when Moten dies. Takes over the band. Takes over the band. 1930’s band called the “Old Testament” band. 1930’s band called the “Old Testament” band the “ New Testament” band is born the “ New Testament” band is born. (arrangers Neil Hefti, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones and Frank Foster). (arrangers Neil Hefti, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones and Frank Foster).
The Kansas City Bands The Jay McShann Band. The Jay McShann Band. The Count Basie Band. The Count Basie Band. Aka The Kid from Red Bank.
Basie’s Basie’s Big Band Basie’s The band could roar, but was probably best known for playing slowly and quietly. The band could roar, but was probably best known for playing slowly and quietly. His piano style becomes more sparse, and is known more as an ensemble player. His piano style becomes more sparse, and is known more as an ensemble player.
Basie and the Blues Basie was deeply influenced by the blues, after hearing the Blue Devils band. Basie was deeply influenced by the blues, after hearing the Blue Devils band. Jimmy Rushing/Basie Jimmy Rushing/Basie His band became known as the band swinging the blues out of Kansas City. His band became known as the band swinging the blues out of Kansas City.
Basie adds key players to his band- Jo Jones on Drums, and Lester Young on tenor saxophone. Lester Young Lester Young
Other key players; Walter Page on Bass, Freddie Green, Guitar, and Hot Lips Page
Duke Ellington ( ) Stride Pianist Stride Pianist Composes thousands Composes thousands of pieces: of pieces: Mood Pieces Jazz Standards Suites Band Leader. Band Leader. Band Leader. Band Leader.
Composes dozens of popular songs: In a sentimental mood In a sentimental mood Mood Indigo Mood Indigo Don’t Get Around much anymore Don’t Get Around much anymore Sophisticated Lady Sophisticated Lady I’m Beginning to see the light I’m Beginning to see the light
Ellington If he had never composed a popular song, he would still be a major force in American music composition. Ellingtons band has three theme songs during it’s existence East St Louis Toodle-0 East St Louis Toodle-0 Sepia Panorama Sepia Panorama Take the A Train Take the A Train
Ellington as pianist and composer Ellington was a brilliant pianist, however his main instrument as he used to say, Ellington was a brilliant pianist, however his main instrument as he used to say, Was his band.