The Swing Era Study Notes

The Swing Era

  • Time Period: Approximately 1930-1945

Overview of the Swing Era

  • Also referred to as the ‘big band’ era.

  • Meaning of 'swing': Refers to the new looser rhythmic feel used in the majority of music during this time period.

  • Band Composition: Most bands featured 10 or more musicians.

  • Standard Big Band Instrumentation:

    • Bass

    • Piano

    • Drums

    • 4 Trumpets

    • 4 Trombones

    • 5 Saxes (2 Alto, 2 Tenor, 1 Baritone)

  • Overall, swing music was very popular and highly danceable.

Big Band Composition

  • Variability in Composition: Bands can have different instrumentation, including the addition of a guitar.

    • Fewer woodwinds (saxes) or brass (trumpets/trombones) may be present compared to the standard.

  • Arrangements: Larger ensembles necessitated more intricate and organized arrangements, contrasting with earlier music.

  • Improvisation: Shift from collective improvisation to more individual improvisation.

Big Band Rhythm Section

  • Bass:

    • Primary role as a timekeeper.

    • Also outlines harmony. Common bass lines include:

    • ‘2 beat’

    • ‘Walking’ bass lines.

Major Figures of the Bass

  • Jimmy Blanton:

    • Renowned for his walking bass lines.

    • One of the first great bass soloists, known for his technical ability.

    • Notable work includes contributions to Duke Ellington’s band, especially on “Jack the Bear.”

  • Walter Page:

    • Known as a rock-solid timekeeper.

    • Bassist with Count Basie's big band.

Drums in the Swing Era

  • Drumming Style:

    • Typically involved simple, repetitive grooves tailored for dancing.

    • Skilled drummers employed well-placed ‘fills’ to enhance horn sections.

Major Figures of Drumming

  • Jo Jones:

    • Drummer with Count Basie's band.

    • Innovated by using significantly less of the bass drum.

  • Gene Krupa:

    • Notable exception to the era's typical drumming style.

    • Known for playing extended solos on ‘tom-tom’ drums, featured in pieces like “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Piano in the Swing Era

  • Piano Role:

    • Generally played chords but could play melodies or fills, especially in Count Basie’s arrangements.

Major Figures of Piano

  • Count Basie:

    • Acclaimed bandleader.

    • Known for a simple playing style compared to contemporaries.

  • Duke Ellington:

    • Also a bandleader, primarily recognized for his compositions.

  • Art Tatum:

    • Extremely admired virtuoso; influential through his use of ‘chord substitutions’.

Guitar in Big Bands

  • Guitar Role:

    • Mainly played chords on every beat, often more felt than heard.

Major Figures of Guitar

  • Freddie Green:

    • Guitarist with Count Basie’s band, set the basic standard for big band guitarists.

  • Charlie Christian:

    • Guitarist with the Benny Goodman band.

    • Innovated the guitar's role by playing ‘horn-like’ solos rather than just chords.

Horns of the Swing Era

  • Trombone:

    • Most recognized soloist: Tommy Dorsey.

  • Saxes:

    • Major figures:

    • Coleman Hawkins: Known for improvising over complex chord progressions as a soloist with the Fletcher Henderson Band.

    • Lester Young: Tenor saxophonist with Count Basie's band, recognized for a lighter sound and smooth solos.

  • Lead Alto Saxophonist: Johnny Hodges, known for his rich sound.

  • Trumpet:

    • Most prominent figure: Roy Eldridge; revolutionized trumpet soloing.

Vocalists in the Swing Era

  • Two main vocalists:

    • Billie Holiday: Notable for a lighter singing style, focusing on pop and show tunes rather than blues.

    • Ella Fitzgerald: Praised for flawless technique and renowned for her improvisational skills, especially in scat singing.

Top Bandleaders of the Swing Era

  • Influential bandleaders:

    • Fletcher Henderson

    • Benny Goodman

    • Duke Ellington

    • Count Basie (most well-known).

Duke Ellington

  • Roles: Pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader.

  • Known as the most prolific composer in jazz history, leading perhaps the most important big band of the swing era.

  • Compositions: Over 2000 works, often tailored to distinct musicians in his band, like:

    • Bubber Miley (trumpet) known for the ‘growl style’.

    • Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton (trombone).

Originality in Arranging

  • Original techniques included:

    • Bassists playing melodies along with horns.

    • Use of ‘wordless vocals’.

    • Unique instrument combinations.

  • Ellington collaborated extensively with Billy Strayhorn, known for “Take the ‘A’ Train”.

  • Noteworthy use of clarinet in arrangements, featuring musicians like Barney Bigard and Jimmy Hamilton.

Brass Section Approaches

  • Ellington’s preference for the ‘growl’ and ‘plunger mute’ sounds from specific brass players.

  • Prominent saxophonists in his band:

    • Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves known for their improvisation.

Count Basie

  • Roles: Pianist, bandleader, composer-arranger.

  • Modeled after stride piano; admired Fats Waller.

  • Playing Style: Renowned for his relaxed, simple, tasteful approach, contrasting with earlier styles.

Count Basie Big Band Rhythm Section

  • Regarded as one of the most admired rhythm sections in jazz history for its smooth and consistent style.

  • Classic members include:

    • Count Basie (piano)

    • Walter Page (bass)

    • Jo Jones (drums)

    • Freddie Green (guitar).

Arrangements in the Basie Band

  • Arrangements illustrated the ‘riff-based’ approach typical of Kansas City Style Jazz.

    • Emphasizes short, repeated phrases that create spontaneity in performance.

    • Although the arrangements were organized, they preserved the essence of ‘riff’-style playing.

Notable Soloists in the Basie Band

  • Lester Young: Known for his lighter sound compared to Coleman Hawkins.

  • Kansas City Five: A smaller combo led by Basie, featuring Young and other band musicians.

  • Stylistic Elements: The Basie band excelled in swinging at various volumes, including very soft passages, enhancing the musical contrast in arrangements.

  • Emphasis on space for improvisation led to the description of the Basie band as an ‘oversized combo’.