The Popularity Of Swing In The 1930's

Ranging from its origins in work songs and country blues, to modern jazz/rock fusion, jazz is an incredibly diverse genre of music. There are few more diametrically opposed styles of jazz, however, than swing and bebop. Author Piero Scaruffi notes, “The only reason to consider swing and bebop as branches of the same musical genre is that they shared the same instrumentation and the passion for improvisation (and, mostly, the color of the skin)” CITATION Sca05 \l 1033 (Scaruffi).

Swing

Swing rose to popularity in the 1930’s- a time of deep economic depression and political tension in the years before WWII. Swing provided an escape from social and political pressures, and was “feel good” music that brought people together through energetic performances CITATION Meg04 \l 1033 (Megill).

Swing differentiates itself from other jazz styles by its large bands, relatively structured format, and emphasis on dancability. Swing music was very popular during this era, and proved that jazz could be respectable and commercially viable. Swing musicians were drawn to big cities by the burgeoning record industry, and formed hundreds of bands who played on many radio shows such as "Fitch Bandwagon," "Coca Cola Spotlight Series," "Camel Hit Parade," "Chesterfield Hour," "Phillip Morris Show". More than 70 bands had ongoing, sponsored radio shows. There were hundreds of music venues in big cities that hosted live bands playing for dancing audiences CITATION The00 \l 1033 (The Thelonious Monk Institute of