Ridin ’ in Rhythm: The Thirties and Swing

1. Ridin’ in Rhythm: The Thirties and Swing Professor Jeff Rupert, Director of Jazz Studies, The University of Central Florida jrupert@mail.ucf.edu407.823.5411

2. Swing, Americas Popular Musicof the 1930’s and 40’s • Swing Summary • Randalls Island

3. Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) • Innovator of the big band style. • Composer and arranger for: his band Benny Goodman Chick Webb, and others. Fletcher Henderson and the American invention

4. Fletcher Henderson • Ensemble passages are written in the style of a soloist. • Big Band arrangements feature ensemble and sections, as well as soloists. • 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.

5. The Drum set evolves • Features the Hi-Hat. • Drummers able to accents beat 2 &4 in a new way. • Drummers began using “ride pattern” on the cymbal.

6. 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

7. 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

8. Jimmy Lunceford Band • The Greatest Dance band of all time. • Underrated group. • Outstanding performers and arrangements. Lunceford, Dorsey, Miller Alt version 3:30

9. Cab Calloway • Bandleader/singer • Unique vocalists with unusual lyrics. (Minnie The Moocher). • His band featured great musicians. • Coast to coast broadcasts helped popularize his band.

10. The Kansas City Bands • The Jay McShann Band. • The Benny Moten Band, which becomes the Count Basie Band.

11. William “Count”Basie • 1904-1984 • 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.

12. The Kid From Red Bank’sEarly influences:

13. Basie in Kansas City • 1929 talks his way into Benny Moten’s band. He takes it over in 1935 when Moten dies. • Takes over the band. • 1930’s band called the “Old Testament” band. • 1952 the “ New Testament” band is born. • (arrangers Neil Hefti, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones and Frank Foster).

14. The Kansas City Bands • The Jay McShann Band. • The Count Basie Band. Aka The Kid from Red Bank.

15. Basie’s Big Band • 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.

16. Basie and the Blues • Basie was deeply influenced by the blues, after hearing the Blue Devils band. Jimmy Rushing/Basie • His band became known as the band swinging the blues out of Kansas City.

17. Basie adds key players to his band- Jo Jones on Drums, and Lester Young on tenor saxophone.

18. Other key players;Walter Page on Bass, Freddie Green, Guitar, and Hot Lips Page

19. Duke Ellington (1899-1974) • Stride Pianist • Composes thousands of pieces: Mood Pieces Jazz Standards Suites • Band Leader.

20. Composes dozens of popular songs: • In a sentimental mood • Mood Indigo • Don’t Get Around much anymore • Sophisticated Lady • I’m Beginning to see the light

21. 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 • Sepia Panorama • Take the A Train

22. Ellington as pianist and composer • Ellington was a brilliant pianist, however his main instrument as he used to say, Was his band.