I love this definition by Ted Gioia:
that extraordinary interlude in American music when the smartest and most sophisticated jazz musicians were also the biggest selling commercial artists in the whole country.
Tag: Music
A definition of the Swing era
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing
I heard it in the store the other day and it’s been playing in my head since then. I found myself humming and air-guitaring (we’ll make it a verb, just for now) in the store.
Great laid-back, sloppy vocal delivery that contrasts with the staccato picking.
So here’s a long live version…
Yes, the title of the post is taken from the lyrics of the song. But you knew that already…
Happy birthday Duke Ellington!
I discovered the Duke listening to my parents’ 78s when I was a kid. I have loved him ever since.
Here are two of my favorite pieces: Take the A train and It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing). Enjoy!