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Swing Music experienced a brief but extremely popular revival in the nineties thanks to popular groups like the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies. The Swing revival was given impetus by films such as “Swing Kids” starring Christian Bale (1993), and “Swingers” starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau (1996).

Popular first-generation Swing musicians and band-leaders include: Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Harry Edison, Count Basie, Earl Hines, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson, and Jelly Roll Morton.

Also known as Swing Jazz, this upbeat form of music is a derivation of Jazz that developed in the twenties. By 1935, Swing had crystallized into its own distinct style. Like Jazz, Swing music features a strong rhythm section that usually includes a double bass and drums, a medium to fast tempo, and the unique “Swing Time Rhythm.”

Swing bands are generally larger than traditional Jazz bands. In addition, Swing has more organized compositions and developed arrangements. Typical Swing songs feature heavy rhythm sections that support loosely connected wind, brass, string and vocal sections. Depending on the band, the song, and the band-leader the group could experiment with varying levels of improvisation. Sometimes even two or three members of the band would improvise simultaneously.

In the mid-thirties, Swing music became extremely popular in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, conflict arose when many groups were forced to “soften” their sound to appeal to more conservative audiences. However, the strong rhythms of Swing led to the creation of the lively, boisterous, and acrobatic-like Swing dance.

At the same time, the Nazi regime was being established in Germany. From dissent against the Nazi majority, the Swingjugend (“Swing Youth”) developed. Although Swing and Jazz were banned by the fascist regime, groups of 14 to 18-year old students rebelled and defined their identities through Swing music. At the same time, they strongly opposed the Nazi ideaology, especially the Hitlerjugend (“Hitler Youth”).

Unfortunately, Swing music declined in popularity during WWII due to the fact that many musicians were sent to fight in the war, thus making it difficult to staff big bands. Also, wartime economics forced groups to stop touring because of the high expenses involved. Both of these factors led to the inception of smaller, three to five member bands. This changed the sound of Swing, but gave rise to R&B, Jump Blues and Bebop.

Sadly, the last authentic Swing records were pressed in 1947. Due to a recording ban, no records were made until January 1949. By that time, Swing had evolved into diverse genres of music including R&B, Rock, Country and Western and Funk music.

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