The big band era was a never-like-before episode in the cultural history of America. There is no denying the early jazz had laid the foundation for the growth of swing music. But it was the advent of big bands that polished and glamourized the presentation of swing music before the audience. People found their solace and entertainment in the rhythm and beats of swing music phenomenally presented by the big band musicians. This era shifted the focus on big band leaders who were influential musicians and turned the decade in favor of swing music. From the recording companies and TV programs to music charts, and the jazz music radio station in the USA - big band musicians dominated the overall jazz scene. So, in this blog, we share with you a list of such formidable musical personalities who certainly defined the golden age of swing.
Benny Goodman – Also known as the king of swing, Benny Goodman was not just a big band leader but was an equally talented musician. Having started his career as a freelance musician, Goodman had learned clarinet playing at the tender age of only 12. In 1934, The Benny Goodman Orchestra came into existence and cemented the foundation of big band and swing music in the American cultural landscape. Given his remarkable success in enlivening the swing & jazz, the title “King of Swing” for him was justified.
Count Basie – Influenced by the musicians of his time, Count Basie tried his hands in stride piano playing at quite a young age. Although he played drums for some time, Basie put his concentration on piano and ultimately mastered the stride style of playing. During his stay in Kansas City, Count Basie adopted the unique jazz style of the city, and even joined a band named Blue Devils led by Walter Page. Basie and his band made their debut in 1937 and earned significant popularities in Chicago, Boston, and New York.
Louis Armstrong – In early 1920s, Louis Armstrong had played the trumpet while working with several local bands in New Orleans before moving to New York and joining the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra there. Armstrong’s introduction of swing music into the orchestra could be considered as a prelude to the formation of a jazz-based big band for the first time in NYC. Louis Armstrong was also renowned for his unparalleled singing skills with incredible high notes and a great deal of improvisation.
Fats Waller – Having learned piano at the age of 5, Waller was also playing the organ at 15 for his musical performances at the Lincoln Theatre. No doubt he was a great entertainer, but his performances as a comedian overshadowed his talent as a musician. Waller also shone with his prolific radio work on “Fats Waller’s Rhythm Club” and “Paramount On Parade”. To enjoy hits by this musician, you can turn on the internet swing music station in the USA. His scores were quite a hit back then and still now popular.
Coleman Hawkins – One of the greatest saxophonists of the jazz era, Coleman Hawkins brought the instrument to the fore of the swing and jazz scene in America. But apart from the saxophone, he also learned to play the piano and cello by the age of 7. Quite much like Armstrong, Hawkins also started his career by joining the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. After his brief association with the band, Coleman Hawkins gained popularity as a soloist given his prodigious mastery over the instruments he played.
Final Words – As an original musical form of America, swing music and its legacy continue to live on. To increase the listenership of swing & jazz is the noble objective of the swing and big band preservation society in the USA. Want to do your bit and contribute to the cause? For further information, visit https://www.swingstreetradio.org/. And to enjoy swing songs for every mood, download the Swing Street App right now on your phone right now!
