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His new mission was to bring the sounds of Count Basie to the rest of the country. John Hammond, who helped build the Benny Goodman orchestra, charged that swing had become too commercial. On one "electrical" night, Benny Goodman faced his most celebrated challenger, Chick Webb. The Savoy Ballroom was still Harlem's hot spot-Chick Webb was still in charge, playing drums better than most drummers of the century. Her voice was a blend of Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong-and so much more. She phrased melodies in the manner of jazz instrumentals. John Hammond, patron of musicians, spotted her. In 1935, Duke Ellington introduced an unknown singer named Billie Holiday. Men Working Together - Billie Holiday (07:44) He added a vibraphone player to make a quartet.
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The pianist, Teddy Wilson, was black, and Goodman was reluctant to put him on stage. One of Benny Goodman's best albums is "Body and Soul," played by a trio. Swing dancing caused many adults great concern. Every important band leader had a fan club and plenty of girls who provided phone numbers. Like Taking a Drug (05:16)Īdults loved swing music, but it was teenagers who made it a national craze. Blacks had to contend with segregation all along the way. It was not unusual to perform 300 nights in a row. The road, however, was hectic and tiring for the musicians. The Road (09:39)ĭespite the Depression, swing music had become a $100 million business. Success and stardom for Shaw brought problems he could not have foreseen. He successfully combined chamber music with jazz. The Business Part (04:07)Īrtie Shaw was the finest clarinet player and Benny Goodman's great rival. Jimmie Lunsford, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller's bands are featured. The sounds of dozens of big bands filled the air, drawing millions to movie theaters and dancehalls. Dreaming - Big Bands (12:20)īig band music is joyous music that appeals to adult sensitivities. Nevertheless, he played a virtuoso trumpet. One of Armstrong's first films was a short called "A Rhapsody in Black and Blue." Producers dressed him in a leopard skin. Dreaming - Louis Armstrong's Movie Days (03:46) Glaser was allegedly connected to the mob, but proved to be a great manager and friend for Louis until Armstrong's death. Dreaming - Louis Armstrong's Recovery (02:39)īy the mid-1930s, Louis Armstrong was out of work and pressed for cash. The Duke went his own way, refusing to be categorized. He spontaneously plays a piano piece to demonstrate his point. Dreaming (04:51)ĭuke Ellington claims his inspiration comes from his dreams. The jitterbug was the dance driving everyone wild. At the Paramount in New York, fans ranged from high-school age to old age. His records were in positions 1,2, and 3 in California. King of Swing - Benny Goodman (08:22)īenny Goodman, at age 26, was a matinee idol. Dance was an antidote for the Great Depression. In the mid-1930s, jazz came as close as it had ever come to being America's popular music. Swing: Pure Pleasure (05:47) FREE PREVIEW