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Early Swing Jazz

Early Swing Jazz
Notes

Description
Form of jazz music that developed into the 1920s and was popularized from the 1930s to the 1940s
Distinctive style of music in the US
Distinguished by:
o Strong rhythm (with double bass and drums)
o Medium to fast tempo (varying)
o Swing time rhythm (notes are augmented or diminished for effect, repetition).
o Big band dance music

Origins/History
First recordings labelled ¡§swing style¡¨ dates back to the 1920s in the US and the United Kingdom
Evolved out of experimentation primarily in New Orleans
Developed further in cities such as Kansas City and New York City and gained popularity
In the 1930s, bands (vocal and/or instrumental) were formed and were much more crowded than other jazz bands (consisted of more than 16 people)
Bands were made larger due to no amplifiers at the time (making it louder)
Less soloists meant less chaos (for more harmonic within the band)
Bands usually have one soloist, other members playing support
Bands focused on improvisation and instrumental ability
Led to creative and energetic dancing with black people (now known as swing dance)
Was popular with white population (America was prejudiced/raciest at the time)
Paved a path of social respectability for black people
With the start and close of World War II, bands didn¡¦t have much financial support because of extra taxes/money needed for the war and popularity decreased
People were focused on the war, not music during the 1940s
Some members of bands were drafted into WWII, making some bands extinct
Was revived during the 1990s with renewed interest in swing
Bands focuses on rehearsed pieces, not improvising
Popularity on the decline with rap, hip-hop, pop, R&B, etc...

Characteristics
Use of strong rhythm (use of double bass and drums)
Medium to fast tempo ¡V can be varied throughout pieces
Swing time rhythm
o Notes augmented or diminished for effect
o Repeated...