Category: Swing 101

An introduction to the music, musicians and singers of the swing era.
Big bands were the major purveyors of swing music, but by no means the only ones. Many small groups also played great swing. For this introduction to swing music, I am going to concentrate on big bands, with a few exceptions. I will explain what instruments make up a classic big band, and also how the instrumentation and music of big bands evolved from approximately the mid-1920s into the 1950s, and beyond. And of course I will post examples of great music performed by big bands, and small groups.

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo July 28, 2026 0 COMMENTS

“Wrappin’ It Up” (1934) Fletcher Henderson with Hilton Jefferson and Red Allen/(1935) Benny Goodman with Toots Mondello/(1938) Benny Goodman with Harry James and Dave Matthews

“Wrappin’ It Up” (“The Lindy Glide”) Composed and arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra for Decca on September 12, 1934 in New York. Fletcher Henderson directing: Russell “Pop” Smith, first [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo April 3, 2026 3 COMMENTS

“Honeysuckle Rose” (1939) Benny Goodman/Fletcher Henderson with Charlie Christian and Ziggy Elman/(1971) Billy May with Abe Most, Al Hendrickson and Shorty Sherock

“Honeysuckle Rose” Composed by Thomas “Fats” Waller; arranged by Fletcher Henderson. Recorded by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra for Columbia on November 22, 1939 in New York. Benny Goodman, clarinet, directing: Ziggy Elman, first and [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 29, 2025 0 COMMENTS

“The C Jam Blues” (1941-1942) Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn with Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Tricky Sam Nanton and Barney Bigard

“The C Jam Blues” Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra for Victor in Chicago on January 21, 1942. Edward K. “Duke” Ellington, piano, directing: Wallace [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo May 28, 2024 2 COMMENTS

“Four Brothers” (1947) Woody Herman with Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Herbie Steward and Stan Getz/ (1971) Billy May with Justin Gordon, Bill Perkins, Don Lodice and Don Raffell

“Four Brothers” Composed and arranged by Jimmy Giuffre. Recorded by Woody Herman and His Orchestra for Columbia on December 27, 1947 in Hollywood. Woody Herman, clarinet, directing: Stan Fishelson or Bernie Glow (Glotzer), first trumpet; [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 23, 2024 1 COMMENTS

“Limehouse Blues” (1934) Fletcher Henderson with Red Allen, Buster Bailey, Keg Johnson and Ben Webster/ (1935) Benny Goodman with Bunny Berigan, Jack Lacey and Arthur Rollini

“Limehouse Blues” Composed by: Philip Braham (music) and Douglas Furber (lyric)(*); arranged by Benny Carter. Recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra for Decca on September 11, 1934 in New York. Fletcher Henderson, piano, directing: [..]

Spotlight on Sidemen (and Women) Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo February 9, 2024 4 COMMENTS

“Opus One” (1944) Tommy Dorsey/Sy Oliver with Buddy DeFranco/Glen Gray (1959) with Gus Bivona/Gene Krupa (1945) with Anita O’Day and Don Fagerquist

“Opus One”(*) Composed and arranged by Sy Oliver. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Victor on November 14, 1944 in Hollywood. Tommy Dorsey, first trombone, directing: George Seaberg, Vito Mangano, Dale Pierce, Roger [..]

Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes Too Good Not to Share
Mike Zirpolo January 9, 2024 2 COMMENTS

“Blue Lou” (1936) Fletcher Henderson with Roy Eldridge and Chu Berry/(1939) Metronome All-Stars with Bunny Berigan, Eddie Miller, Jack Teagarden, Sonny Dunham and Benny Goodman

“Blue Lou” Composed by Edgar Sampson; arranged by Horace Henderson. Recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra for Vocalion on March 27, 1936 in Chicago. Fletcher Henderson, directing: Joe Thomas, first trumpet; Dick Vance and [..]

Masterpieces Swing 101 Swing and Swing Redux Swingscapes
Mike Zirpolo April 6, 2023 2 COMMENTS

“South Rampart Street Parade” (1937) Bob Crosby, Ray Bauduc, Bob Haggart, Yank Lawson, Eddie Miller / (1959) Glen Gray with Conrad Gozzo, Gus Bivona, Shorty Sherock and Nick Fatool

“South Rampart Street Parade” Composed by Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart; arranged by Bob Haggart. Recorded by Bob Crosby and His Orchestra for Decca on November 16, 1937 in Los Angeles. Bob Haggart, bass, directing: [..]