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The Swing Era

Composer of the WeekBig Band
Episode 2 of 5

Donald Macleod and Guy Barker focus on the swing era, when bandleaders like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw took big band jazz to a mass audience.

Donald Macleod is joined by Guy Barker to look at the swing era, when predominantly white bandleaders like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw took big band jazz to a mass audience. Swing was king, and its popularity came to a head during the Second World War, when the music became the sound of America. They explore the work of the superstars of the day, as well as that of less well-known arrangers and bandleaders who were to have a huge influence on the future sound of big bands.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 18 Nov 201418:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Henderson

    DOWN SOUTH CAMP MEETIN'

    Performer: Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.
    • Classics.
    • 1450.

  • Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

    Sing, Sing, Sing

    • RCA.
    • ND-85630.

  • Count Basie

    ONE O' CLOCK JUMP

    Performer: The Count Basie Orchestra.
    • Classics.
    • 503.

  • Sy Oliver

    OPUS 1

    Performer: Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.
    • Everest.
    • FS 539.

  • Gould

    PAVANNE

    Music Arranger: N/A. Performer: Glenn Miller Orchestra.
    • RCA.
    • CD-90115.

  • Artie Shaw

    Concerto For Clarinet

    Performer: Artie Shaw.
    • Proper.
    • Properbox-85.

  • Hudson

    ORGAN GRINDER'S SWING

    Performer: The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra.
    • Brunswick.
    • LA8738.

  • The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra

    FOR DANCERS ONLY

    Music Arranger: Oliver.
    • Brunswick.
    • LA8738.

  • K BAKER

    BAKERLOO NON STOP II

    Performer: BAKER, KENNY & THE TED HEATH ORCHESTRA.
    • NELSON.
    • CD SIV-6121.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 13 Nov 201212:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Tue 13 Nov 201218:30
    BBC Radio 3
  • Tue 18 Nov 201412:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Tue 18 Nov 201418:30
    BBC Radio 3

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