The Music

Cab Calloway

Ella Fitzgerald

Duke Ellington

Nellie Lutcher

Louis Armstrong

​Welcome to the sound of Swing!
The value in this music is to enjoy, learn, honor and dance. The origins started in the 1920's by African Americans in the Great Migration moving North, inspired by life at that time. In this music you may find time-capsule words, phrases or concepts that are not common values of today and you may equally find themes and phrases that seem to speak to your life in this moment.This music came from people processing ​segregation and to this day is a release & expression of life. Swing music is a gift that is handed down to us from earlier generations and lives today for us to honor, enjoy and embody.

Check out our Youtube Playlist!
also...
Brooklyn Swings Book List
We recommend & loan for a month at a time...
(list coming soon!)

​Jacquet No Vest (Savoy Blip)
by Illinois Jacque

This recording is with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra in 1942, but we're choosing it because of the KILLER tenor sax solo by Illinois Jacquet at the age of 19. Jacquet was a pioneer of the honking R&B sounding sax.This is the song we frequently dance the Big Apple to (a choreography from the film Keep Punchin).
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Buckin' the Dice
by Fats Waller

Fats started playing in church at 10, making his Reverend father happy. Playing cabarets & theaters at 15, which made his father less happy.Fats wrote several well known songs including Honeysuckle Rose, Ain't Misbehavin', Keepin' Out of Mischief Now... His style is known for mixing prolific technique & musical ideas with a ridiculous sense of humor.

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Hi-Ho Silvester
by Jimmy Rushing

Jimmy Rushing was one of the best "Blues Shouters". Not strictly a "fact", but believe it anyway.

He's very well known for his work with Count Basie, which spanned 13 years.

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Viper's Moan
by Mora's Modern Rhythmists

This month we're doing something a little different. We're featuring a contemporary musician whose bands began playing in the 90's and have held down a consistent, satisfying sound for dancers.Dean Mora is an LA-based pianist who's still playing in the swing scene.
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Hi-Ho Silvester
by Jimmy Rushing
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Jimmy Rushing was one of the best "Blues Shouters". Not strictly a "fact", but believe it anyway. He's very well known for his work with Count Basie, which spanned 13 years. 

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Vol Vist Du Gaily Star
by Slim Gaillard

Frequently heard along with the bass player Slam Stewart, who was known for singing one octave higher note-for-note during his solos.Spoke many languages and even invented his own ("Vout") 


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Sugar
by Eddie Condon

Was a rhythm guitarist who played alongside an incredible list of musicians.
  If you're interested in anecdotes from Condon about his life with some of the best musicans in jazz at the height of it's prime, his autobiography is called "We Called It Music"​

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White Rose Bounce
by Errol Garner

Errol Garner wrote the famous song "Misty", which was featured in the creepy movie "Play Misty for Me".Though highly respected and talented, he couldn't read music. He'd record his musical ideas on tape, which other people could then transcribe.

Dolemite
by Erskine Hawkins

Erskine co-wrote Tuxedo JunctionHe was a trumpet player.

Well All Right
by Tommy Dorsey

This song is basically a collection of slang, but for whatever reason frequently sang by people who sound like they'd never use it in their normal lives.Tommy Dorsey, was a trombone player/trumpeter.

​Boog It
by Gene Krupa

Boog It is not a boogie song. Gene Krupa played with Eddie Condon at first  (a rhythm guitarist known for compiling highly talented groups of many of the best jazz musicians of the time). He also played with Benny Goodman before leading his own orchestra.

​Smooth Sailing
by Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald won the very first Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Originally she had planned to dance and the night of she decided to sing instead and Jazz has been thankful for that choice ever since.