The great music of the Big Band Swing-Era



The great music of the Big Band Swing-Era

As most people know, the music of the big band swing-era was “swing” music.  The exact definition of “Swing” is tough to define because of its subjective nature.  Swing is best described as the particular way a piece of music is played that gives it a certain vitality and energy.


Without getting too technical, in Swing music the musicians play (or sing) some of the notes late, and then catch up in the next beat or two.  This was referred to as “swinging the beat”, and hence the name was probably born.  Swing also has a rhythm-driven quality that emphasizes subdivisions of the beat, which often adds a horizontal feel and type of “pulse” to the music.


For the classic era of Swing (about 1935-1949), the music was a form of jazz that normally used arrangements and was rehearsed, but still allowed room for interpretation and improvisation.  Of course, it was the Big Bands of the Swing Era that made swing music famous and popular all over the world.  But smaller type combos, such as the jump blues bands of the late 1940’s and early 50’s, had a big part in the overall contribution of what is considered swing music.