Lecture 8: Swing Era

Question 1

Swing Era

Answer 1

The period from 1935 to 1945 characterized by swing music as a cultural phenomenon beyond just music.

Question 2

Swing Music

Answer 2

Developed in the 1920s, it played a crucial role in the economic recovery of the music industry during the Great Depression.

Question 3

Benny Goodman

Answer 3

The King of Swing; credited with the ‘birth’ of swing during his tour of California.

Question 4

Benny Goodman Sound

Answer 4

Characterized by ‘Call and response’ between brass and reeds, featured in songs like ‘Take a Chance on Love’ (1940).

Question 5

Duke Ellington

Answer 5

An important American musician known for his experimental and complex ‘Jungle music’ style.

Question 6

Duke Ellington Instruments

Answer 6

Used a roll of percussion to create ambiance and incorporated exotic elements like the ‘Spanish tinge’ in his music.

Question 7

Duke Ellington Song

Answer 7

Caravan

Question 8

Glenn Miller

Answer 8

Leader of the most popular dance band in the world during the Swing Era, known for the ‘white’ Glenn Miller sound.

Question 9

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Answer 9

The most popular dance band in the world during the Swing Era, known for its ‘peppy, clean’ sound.

Question 10

Biggest Hit of the Swing Era

Answer 10

In the Mood(1939)

Question 11

Billie Holiday

Answer 11

Known for the song ‘Strange Fruit’ (1939), an anthem protesting lynch mobs in the southern United States.

Question 12

Ella Fitzgerald

Answer 12

Renowned for her virtuosic scat singing and heavily extemporized performances, covering songs like Benny Goodman’s in ‘Air Mail Special’ (1957).

Question 13

Who did the jazz and swing eras belong to?

Answer 13

The instrumentalists

Question 14

Scat singing

Answer 14

A vocal improvisation style characterized by nonsensical syllables and sounds, often used in jazz performances.

Question 15

R & B

Answer 15

Stands for Rhythm and Blues, a music genre that emerged as small ensembles formed after the decline of big bands.

Question 16

BMI

Answer 16

Another Performance Rights Organization that contended for royalties alongside ASCAP and AFM.

Question 17

ASCAP

Answer 17

One of the Performance Rights Organizations involved in the Battle for royalties, competing against BMI and AFM.

Question 18

AFM

Answer 18

The third Performance Rights Organization involved in the Battle for royalties, competing against ASCAP and BMI.

Question 19

Big Bands Decline

Answer 19

Caused by shifts in popular tastes, material shortages during WWII, economic oppression, and the Battle of the Performance Rights Organizations for royalties.