Sandy Duncan

Eras Born From Jazz: Swing and Big Band Music

Music is an art form that evokes emotion within the listener and the musician. One genre of music that always comes to mind is jazz. There is no denying that there is "soul" in jazz. Like most genres, jazz has morphed and transitioned into different sounds depending on the popular culture. One transition that has been recreated in contemporary times is swing, or big band music.

 

Swing, or big band music, began during the 1930s and solidified its style by 1935. The double bass, drums and brass instruments captured the attention of many. In fact, for quite some time while its sound was being perfected, swing was considered risqué by some. The fast and erratic tempos, lack of stringed instruments, and improvised racy lyrics added to society's disapproval.

 

Of course, the most risqué part of all, that we cannot forget to mention, was the thing that was paired with the ever-popular swing music - the dancing. It seemed the calm romance, which was seen as classier or more refined music, had been stirred up and slandered due to swing music and dance. Does this seem like an appropriate precursor to Elvis' style?

 

While swing music was on the rise and eventually became popular, more mainstream bands arose. If you are in search of music that has soul and a great beat, search no further. Perhaps you are even considering taking up swing dancing lessons. First, it may be wise to learn more about the genre before you get started. If you're not familiar already with the following artists, they may be worth the research. Some of these artists were the inspiration for musicians to consider swing's revival in the mid 1990s. That nostalgic quality is one that cannot be imitated easily. So familiarize yourself with some these great swing bands and get ready to dance.

 

Popular Swing bands throughout the 1930s:

Asleep at the Wheel

Light Crust Doughboys

The Bebop Cowboys

Merle Haggard & the Strangers

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Milton Brown

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Moon Mullican

Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen

The Quebe Sisters Band

Chubby Wise

Pee Wee King

Cliff Bruner

Riders in the Sky

Dan Hicks

Shoot Low Sheriff

Hank Penny

Spade Cooley

Hank Thompson

Tex Williams

Hot Club of Cowtown

Tommy Allsup

Hoyle Nix and the West Texas Cowboys

Tommy Duncan

Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys

Joe & Eddie

Johnnie Lee Wills

Cecil Brower

 

For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Jazz, Latin Jazz and any other genre of music CDs, visit www.used-jazz.com. If you have any questions please email at customerservice@secondspin.com.

About the Author

Brad Parmerter has almost 20 years experience in the music and entertainment industry as a writer, programmer, and merchandiser. He has professionally interviewed and photographed such artists as: Rush, Metallica, Celine Dion, Live, Phil Collins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Live, Van Halen, Queensryche, Anna Nalick, Styx, Def Leppard, and many more.

Please visit SecondSpin.com for all of your entertainment needs.

ET - Whatever Happened To... - "Sandy Duncan" 9-08-01