The Early Swing Era, 1930 to 1941

by Dave Oliphant

Overview

The early swing era of jazz, from 1930 to 1941, represents both an extension of developments of the previous decade and an introduction of new tendencies that influenced subsequent periods of jazz history. Major big bands and individual artists established important styles that brought wide popularity to the music, while small groups created innovative approaches that determined the directions jazz would take in the years to come. This was a time marked by colorful band leaders, flashy instrumental soloists, showy orchestras, and engaging singers, and Oliphant's reference guide to this period is an invaluable source of information on its artists, methods, innovations, and recordings.

Directing readers to outstanding performances available on compact disc, it serves not only as a scholarly historical and cultural overview, but also as a helpful guide for the layman. Organized in a biographical format, the volume discusses many individuals and groups that have not been considered so fully before, and provides a critical assessment of a major period in American music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313305351
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/2002
Series:	Jazz Companions Series
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.06(d)
Lexile:	1790L (what's this?)

About the Author

DAVE OLIPHANT is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches English and has edited a scholarly jourbanal. He has written extensively on music, including his historical study Texan Jazz in 1996, and has published several volumes of his own poetry as well as translations of Latin American poetry.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Precursors to and the Birth of Big Band Swing
The Name Black Bands
The Name White Bands
Other Black Bands
Other White Bands
The Small Swing Groups
A to Z
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Covering the period from 1930 to 1941, this reference provides information on swing's artists, methods, innovations, and recordings. Organized biographically, the book discusses individuals and groups important to the period, and considers their contributions to the music. Precursors to Big Band are also discussed. Eleven black and white photographs represent major figures from the time. Oliphant teaches English at the University of Texas at Austin. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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