Radio became a widespread household item in the 1930s, capable of broadcasting music to large audiences over long distances. This led to the rise of big bands playing jazz in large performance halls and ballrooms to accommodate larger audiences. Pioneers like Fletcher Henderson and Benny Goodman led influential big bands that explored the instrumentation possibilities of large ensembles. Benny Goodman in particular gained massive popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, helping spark the Swing Era where big band jazz conquered global musical expression.

1. The Swing Age
American Music Dominates the World
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2. Tech. Innov. - Radio
O Radio had now become a household item.
O Capable of reaching many people
simultaneously.
O Content can be received over a large
distance from one source.
O A passive form of entertainment.

3. The 1930s
O By the 1930s Jazz had moved in to large
performance halls or ballrooms.
O To get around the sometimes lack of band
amplification group sound was augmented
by increasing instrumentation.
O As opposed to earlier groups these bands
featured – 4-5 Saxes, 4 Trumpets, 3-4
trombones.

4. Fletcher Henderson
O F.H was one of the early pioneers of the
new instrumental genre.
O Arranged his ensemble to explore these
instrumental possibilities.
O F.H had band in 3 Sections – Horns,
Reeds and Rhythm section.

5. Benny Goodman
O Jewish clarinet player
from Chicago.
O Came to New York in
early 30’s after sideman
work and organised his
own band in 1934.
O His group played Big
Band arrangements by
Fletcher Henderson.

6. The Rise
O Willard Alexander and the Music Corp.
of America spring '35. The band's
performance on Aug. 21 at the
Palomar Ballroom in LA was broadcast
nationwide over radio and is often cited
as the beginning of the Swing Era.
O Benny was known for his exacting,
technical arrangements and his multi-
racial band.
O Received the name ‘King of Swing.’

7. Duke Ellington
O Band leader contemporary of
Goodman.
O His band was mostly Black with
a distinct Blusier sound.
O Known along with Billy
Strayhorn for compositional
techniques that embraced
simple melodies with complex
harmony and texture.
O Duke wrote thousand of pieces
and is an influential arranger
composer.

8. The Popular
O Benny’s influence and popularity was
incredible.
O Many bands emerged all with similar
sounds. “Unique” disappeared.
O Big bands of the thirties played a less
complex music, less demanding on the
ear, and easier for the listener to
identify with melodically.
O This music CONQUERED the world’s
musical expression and was featured in
several films as well as PRINT media.

9. Swing Age
O The Swing age is the most popular type of
the “jazz” expression.
O It sparked a reactionist movement in the
40s.

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