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Swing! / Episode 2 - "Birth of the Big Bands"

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Soulandjazz.com Presents: Swing!
Episode 2--Birth of the Big Bands

Hosted and Produced by J. Scott Fugate, “The Jazz Evangelist"

As always, the show is free, absolutely legal, fun for the whole family, and available for listening right now, right here.

Welcome back to another episode of Swing! This month we explore the birth of the big bands . . . or, rather, take a very quick overview of this dynamic movement that changed the way the entire world listened to music and danced from that point on.

We start with the first 'black' big band led by Fletcher Henderson, and the first 'white' big band led by Paul Whiteman--and hear a full orchestra playing the greatest composition of the 20th century in it's entirety, originally commissioned by Paul Whiteman--"Rhapsody in Blue." You'll also hear some great swing from the likes of Ethel Waters and the Dorsey Brothers, Jimmy Lunceford, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington.

It's a short, but jam packed journey through one of the most important musical happenings of the 20th century . . . hopefully it will put a swing in your step, a smile on your face, and also give you some information and history to chew on as we move through the early years of the Jazz Continuum. Enjoy the ride!

I would love for you to enter into the discussion as you journey with me through this thing called Jazz by sending your comments, questions and requests to [email protected]

PLAYLIST: Swing!
Episode 2--Birth of the Big Bands

Fletcher Henderson--"Wrappin' It Up"--Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz--1934-- (Smithsonian Collection)

Fletcher Henderson--"Hotter Than 'ell"--Tidal Wave--1934--(Verve)

Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra--"There Ain't No Sweet Man (Worth The Salt of My Tears)"--Ken Burns Jazz--1928--(Sony)

Erich Kunzel / Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra--"Rhapsody In Blue"--George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue--1981--(Telarc)

Ethel Waters--"I Got Rhythm"--Ken Burns Jazz--1930--(Sony)

Jimmy Lunceford and His Orchestra--"Lunceford Special"--Lunceford Special 1939-40 - 1939--(Columbia / Legacy)

Lionel Hampton--"When Lights Are Low"--All Star Sessions, Vol. 2: Hot Mallets--1939 - (Avid Entertainment)

Count Basie and His Orchestra--"Doggin' Around"--Swingsation: Count Basie--1938- (GRP)

Benny Goodman Sextet--"I Found A New Baby"--Jazz Masters 33: Benny Goodman-- 1941--(Verve)

Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra--"Creole Rhapsody (Part 1 & 2)"-- Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz--1931--(Smithsonian Collection)

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra--"Harlem Air Shaft"--Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz--1940--(Smithsonian Collection)

Music Bed Provided by: Cyrus Chestnut & Eric Reed--"It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"-- Plenty Swing, Plenty Soul--2010--(Savant)

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