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Swing Music and American Culture: 1935-1954

Explore the Swing Era, from Benny Goodman to Les Paul and the rise of crooners like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Discover the influence of Latin and country music, as well as the impact of technology on popular music.

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Swing Music and American Culture: 1935-1954

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  1. Chapter 6 “In the Mood” :The Swing Era, 1935-1945

  2. Chapter 6 (outline) Swing Music and American Culture Benny Goodman: “The King of Swing” Duke Ellington in the Swing Era Kansas City Swing: Count Basie Superstar of Swing: Glenn Miller Country Music in the Swing Era: Roy Acuff, Singing Cowboys, and Western Swing Latin Music in the Swing Era ASCAP, the AFM, and the Decline of the Big Bands

  3. Latin Music in the Swing Era • Latino immigrants in US bands • “Latin” and pseudo-Latin dances in the books- Tango, Beguine, Calypso, Sambo, Rhumba, etc. • Hollywood’s Latin America- Flying Down to Rio TrailerEx. Flying Down To Rio - Trailer (1933) - YouTube- Carmen Miranda: Ex. The Lady In The Tutti Frutti Hat – YouTube (1943) • Novelty Numbers- Andrew Sisters, et al. Ex. The Andrews Sisters - Rum and Coca Cola – YouTube

  4. Xavier Cugat (1900-1990) • Spanish violinist/bandleader • To Cuba (1905) and US (1915) • House Band (1932-48?)- NYC Waldorf-Astoria • Easy Swing dance music- simple Latin rhythms- Latin percussion- costumes & gimmicks (chihuahua) • Exs.- Xavier Cugat - Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil) – YouTube [Samba](text book, p. 186-7)- Dog Song Chihuahua - YouTube

  5. Franciso Grillo, AKA“Machito” (1908/-1984) • Cuban (?) musician • Brought to NYC (1937) by (in-law) Mario Bauzá • Forms Afro-Cubans (1940) • 1st genuine Latin band • Full set of Latin percussion • Ex.- NAGUE machito and his afro-cubans – YouTube(text book, pp. 188-9)

  6. Chapter 7 “Choo Choo C’ Boogie” :The Post-War Era, 1946-1954

  7. Chapter 7 (outline) Popular Music and Technology in the Postwar Era The Rise of the Big Singers Urban folk Music: The Weavers The Mambo Craze (1949-1955) Southern Music in the Postwar Era Rhythm & Blues Vocal Harmony Groups Country and Western Music

  8. Post War Economics & Attitudes • WWII ends the Great Depression • 1947 sales pass old 1921 peak • Emergence of teenage market (1/3 of all sales) • Conservative tastes (return to “normalcy”)- Romantic crooners- Easy Listening (“light music”)- Novelty songs • Development of “Top 40” Radio • “Battle of speeds” (78, 45, or 33 rpm) • “Payola”

  9. Technology • Magnetic Tape- invented WWII (Germans)- better quality (“high fidelity”) • Studio Recording w/ Tape- ability to edit- multi-track recording (“overdubbing”)- bi-aural (two tracks = “stereo”) • “Battle of speeds”(78, 45, or 33 rpm) • FM broadcasting (from 1939) • Television (early 1950s)

  10. Les Paul (1915-2009) &Mary Ford (1924-1977) Popular duo (1950-54)- 16 Top Ten Hits- 6 mil. records sold (1951) He – experience in all styles- country, jazz, etc.- radio & studio musician- guitar, banjo, etc. She – family of preachers- singer in many styles- gospel, country, etc. Divorced 1964

  11. Les Paul and Technology Home recording studio Complete control of Sound “Overdubbing” or“multi-track” recording ½ speed recording =“Chipmunk” effect Electronic effects Ex. YouTube - Les Paul & Mary Ford - I'm Sitting on top of the World

  12. Gibson “Les Paul Studio” model Solid Body Electric Guitar(invented in 1930s/40s & marketed from 1950s on)

  13. Other Electric Guitars 1949 Telecaster Rickenbacker “300” series (1958- ) Adolph Rickenbacker w/ original electric guitar (c. 1932) Leo Fender (1909-1991)

  14. Solo Singers • Post WWII to mid-50s (pre- rock ‘n roll) • New Generation of Crooners • Big Band Singers go solo- NOT restricted by “Petrillo ban” • “Personalities”- TV, radio, movies, etc. • Sentimental Songs, Novelties, etc.- aiming for youth market

  15. Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) • Hoboken, NJ • Tommy Dorsey Band • Solo career (from 1942) • Movie career- Oscar (1953) • “Sinatra-mania”- Paramount Theater Riot(NYC 1942)- “Bobbysoxers” • 1st true “Teen idol”- “Frankie”- “Sultan of Swoon”- “Swoonatra”

  16. “The Voice” Influence of the crooners(but NOT another Crosby) T. Dorsey’s trombone- Tommy Dorsey - I'm Getting Sentimental Over You Italian “bel canto” Loooonnngg lines (no breath) Use of the microphone Exs.- All or Nothing at All (1939) - Frank Sinatra – YouTube (re-released 1943)- "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" Frank Sinatra – YouTube(Text book LG, p. 209-10)

  17. Nat “King” Cole (1917-1965) Montgomery, AL to Chicago Church singing Jazz piano Cabaret Singer Pop Crooner Strong Cross-over appeal Exs.- Nat King Cole - Nature Boy (With Lyrics) – YouTube(Text book LG, p. 210-11)- Nat King Cole, Unforgettable

  18. Urban Folk Music: The Weavers • Formed 1948 • Rural folk music, but… • Urban performers • Political roots- Woody Guthrie inspired- leftist leanings • Decca Label- Gordon Jenkins, arr.- pop sound • Exs.- Goodnight Irene - The Weavers (lyrics needed)- Irene goodnight – YouTube(Huddie Ledbetter, “Leadbelly”) The Weavers (Pete Seeger w/ Banjo)

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