This document provides an overview of swing and big band music. It discusses the history and rise of swing in the 1930s and 1940s with bands led by Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, and Duke Ellington. Factors that led to the decline of swing after World War II include the war drafting band members and the rise of new genres like bebop. The document also outlines a revival of swing in the 1990s and provides ideas for incorporating swing music into classroom activities and lessons.

1. Swing and Big Band MusicA Presentation created by:Meghann Hall,Karen Lucas,Emily Mangold,and Rosanna Sartore

2. History of this GenreBig band has existed in jazz music from the swing era into the presentBig bands play swing, bop big bands, progressive big bands, and modern/experimental big bandsRhythm section emphasized a four-to-the-bar beatHorns were used to play syncopated figures over the beat which made for a punchier soundMusical arrangements became more important. Many big bands that became popular began and reached their peak during the swing era which is why the terms big band and swing are often interchanged

3. Rise and Fall of SwingThe popularity of swing began around 1935 with the arrival of Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing”Swing music dominated the American social world until the end of World War IIThe war drafted many of the big band membersAnother factor is blamed on the strike of the Musician Union, which lasted a full 27 monthsThe cabaret tax was introduced in 1941, causing clubs to pay 30% of their ticket sales in taxesA new jazz sound, Bebop, began to grow in popularity along with less expensive rhythm and blues bandsSwing, which became popular during the depression and was so popular when the war started, became a reminder of those grim years. The Swing Era died

4. Swing RevivalIn 1992, Brian Setzer introduces the Brian Setzer Orchestra and his own neo-swing style to the fans of his Stray Cats daysSwing dances like the Lindy Hop and West Coast swing began to grow in popularity fueled by this style and vice-versaNight clubs began featuring swing dancing nights and bands such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Brian Setzer began headlining clubsMovies with swing music (Swing Kids-1993 and Swingers-1996)By the summer of 1998, bands such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies flew up the chartsMedia coverage of the swing fad and record sales of neo-swing music have declined since 2000, but there are organizations and clubs around the world that are still devoted to swing dancing and music

5. Well-Know PerformersDuke EllingtonLouis PrimaBenny Goodman

6. Duke Ellingtonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDgCalled his music “American Music”Duke Ellington is best remembered for the over 3000 songs that he composed during his lifetime. His best known for; "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing“.Duke Ellington was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966.

7. Louis PrimaAt the time he was considered one of the greatest contributor towards modern music.Was a great musical influence to future performers such as Elvis Presley. Some of his songs include; “Sing Sing, Sing”, “I Ain’t Got Nobody”, “Just A Gigolo”, and many others.His music is still used in television show and movies today such as:Elf (2003)- Pennies From HeavenWe Own The Night (2007) Just A Gigolo and Should IDancing With The Stars (2007) Sing, Sing, SingMany More for complete list go to: http://www.louisprima.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pELxwTp7gk&feature=PlayList&p=C111F00B38445995&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

8. Benny GoodmanHas been named as the King of SwingHe was phenomenal clarinetist and band leader.During an era of segregation, he also led one of the first racially-integrated musical groups.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwDN9UMMi3c

9. Uses in the ClassroomUpper Primary Students can learn the basic step of the swing dance.Use mantra, “step, step, rock step”Start by stepping withoutthe music and then addmusic to see if students canfollow the beatSwing Dancing Tutorial Video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqd78wIcB2A&feature=related

10. Uses in the ClassroomPlay swing music to younger aged children. Have them move to the musicHave them create art that shows how the music makes them feelHave them pick out instruments or sounds within the music

11. Uses in the ClassroomLearning how to swing dance or simply moving to swing music is great, but there are more things you can do with this conceptCreate a historical unit that involves students dressing up and learning more about the history of the times during the rise of swingConnect what they know about swing dancing and music to the other genres they have been learning about

12. Uses in the ClassroomTake students on a field trip To see professional swing dancers To hear big band music liveBring in Experts to the ClassroomHave a band come in and let students see them play the instruments they use to play swing musicHave dancers come in and give lessons and let student see costumes

13. Activities for Grown-Upshttp://www.evilleswingcats.com/If you want to learn more about swing dancing before teaching, check out this website. They offer tutorials for many different styles of swing dancing.

14. Local TalentThe Two Tone ExpressPlay at Casino AztarGenre Includes: Swing, 60s and 70s

15. Resourceshttp://www.dukeellington.com/ellingtonbio.htmlhttp://www.bennygoodman.com/about/achievements.htmlhttp://www.louisprima.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Tone-Express/88245225138http://www.just-the-swing.comhttp://www.jazzitude.com/histswing.htmPlus all websites listed on previous slides

16. The EndThank you for your participation 