The Swing Era of Jazz The Swing Era of the 1930s through the 1940s and World War II ultimately go hand in hand. The popularization of Swing music was upon society, and in some parts of the world, led people to behave in somewhat of a rebellious nature. With the onset of World War II, men were drafted and had to leave their homes, loved ones and work. Music being an integral part of society at this time, was put into a position that it would help in the boosting of morale and be useful in promotion throughout the duration of the war. In return, the World War gave women, while the men were abroad, some opportunity to develop their own big bands of the Swing Era. This new form of “Jazz” also did well in managing to cross the borders of both …show more content…
When the men were off fighting in World War II, there was really no other choice but for the women to take over the the Big Band scene or let the spread of the music ceases. To many, it may have seemed like women during this time period were not good enough or capable enough to be successful as big bands, but the International Sweethearts of Rhythm proved this assumption wrong. One of the most influential aspects about this group was the fact that they were considered a “black, all-girls big band”. Although it was true that they were an all-girls group, “the term “international” refers to the fact that some of the band’s players came from mixed ethnic backgrounds and eventually also included two white players.” Not only did this all-girls group become successful, but they were integrated as well, testing the boundaries for what was socially acceptable in the music scene at this …show more content…
The first “Swing clique” or Swingjugend (“Youth around/between the ages of 14-18) was formed between 1935 and 1936. The film published under the name of “Swing Kids” was not backed with historic records, but demonstrates the conflict within the regime at the time. “The Swingjugend rejected the Nazi state, above all because of its ideology and uniformity, its militarism, the 'Führer principle' and the leveling Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community). They experienced a massive restriction of their personal freedom. They rebelled against all this with jazz and swing, which stood for a love of life, self-determination, non-conformism, freedom, independence, liberalism, and internationalism”
Swing, the predecessor of bop, was big, sweet, and hot. The performers were big bands, fronted by a charismatic bandleader, yet the success of a piece depended mostly on the unity of the ensemble as a whole, rather than on the showcasing of prodigious individuals. The requisite instrument was the saxophone, which was often smooth and mellifluous. Songs were old favorites, or simple jazz standards, that had been arranged to suit a large ensemble. Swing bands played in large venues, such as ballrooms, and to large audiences, who seized the opportunity to not just tap their toes, but to "jump, jive, and wail." The swing era became the most popular form of jazz, as it catered to audiences as a form of social and interactive entertainment.
By the 1930’s the movement had shifted yet again and began to incorporate larger bands in what came to be known as “swing.” Broadcast radio was also an important factor by this time, giving swing music a far-reaching national influence. The size of the bands had a standardizing ...
“His relaxed phrasing was a major change from the staccato style of the early 20’s and helped to set the stage for the Swing Era” (“Life & Legacy”). And as such a prominent artist, and in particular, jazz artist, Armstrong did not only change the perception of jazz and swing, but the views on African Americans and their culture. Armstrong and the Harlem Renaissance reflected black history and culture, and it became popular, even in white communities and clubs. Jazz as a whole genre helped further society’s views through the universal language of music, where any ethnicity could partake in it. And the revolution of jazz was lead by the stylings of Louis Armstrong. The duration of the jazz and swing era, lasting decades past the 1920s, symbolized the civil rights movement directly through the lyrics, sounds, and artists
The film Swing Kids, directed by Thomas Carter, is set in Germany just before the outbreak of World War II. The story focuses on a group of friends, Peter, Thomas, and Arvid, all who share a passion for the underground movement of swing music. Swing music was seen as symbol of rebellion among the youth of Germany at the time because it was heavily frowned upon by the Nazis. The Nazis believed that German people who listened to a type of music created by African Americans and widely played by Jewish people were traitors to their country. This was due to the Nazis adoption of the Aryan ideal of the ‘super race’ which meant you must have had at least three generations free of non Aryan heritage. Those who opposed the ideal and those who did not fit in with it were considered impure and detrimental to the rise of Germany. The Aryan ideal was tied into the extreme anti semitism shown to the Jewish people, who were used as scapegoats by the Nazis for Germany’s problems and their downfall after after World War I. The Nazis hold over Germany relied on people obeying them unquestioningly, whether through fear or reverence. Many people simply followed the Nazi policies to stay out of trouble and avoid persecution, whether the agreed with the policies they were following or not because the need for security was more important to people. The film Swing Kids indicates examples of how the youth in Germany both worshipped the Nazis and feared them. Those searching for power admired them and wanted to be part of the movement, and those who were possible targets of the Nazis lived in fear of them.
Music of the 40s was swing, blues, country, but above all the sixteen piece big band. World War II may have been the focus of the decade, but music was the focus of the war. Songs ranged from patriotic songs to songs for fun and dancing such as the Rumba, mambo, cha-cha, and conga line. These South American dances became very popular during the 1940s especially among the women (Popular and Social Dance). The war was a very emotional period for everyone, not just the soldiers, so the music of the war tapped into a lot of emotions. The songs were made for people to help get through their rough times. The emotions ranged from hope and love to loneliness and heartbreak. Music was an ionic symbol of World War II. Music continues to affect the modern-day world in positive ways (Rose,
This type of integration went both ways, as black bands would hire young, adolescent white musicians in an effort to get more gigs. Jazz went to war, too, and would serve to remind men and women of home. On the home front, the music industry found itself struggling once again. Black-outs and late-night curfews darkened some nightclubs and dance halls. “The rationing of rubber and gasoline eventually drove most band buses off the roads, and the draft stole away good musicians.
In Swing Kids, one follows the lives of a few so called “Swing-Boys,” as they dance to a type of music (i.e. Swing) banned by the Nazi’s. Later on one sees these boys join the Hilterjugend, which is an academy where young boys are trained to be a police force and to follow the polices set by the Führer. This trained paramilitary force exhibits the characteristic excessive use of force when they raid a popular dancing club in the ending. In this scene, the members of ...
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
By the end of World War I, Black Americans were facing their lowest point in history since slavery. Most of the blacks migrated to the northern states such as New York and Chicago. It was in New York where the “Harlem Renaissance” was born. This movement with jazz was used to rid of the restraints held against African Americans. One of the main reasons that jazz was so popular was that it allowed the performer to create the rhythm. With This in Mind performers realized that there could no...
Throughout history, music have defined or depicted the culture and social events in America. Music has constantly played an important role in constituting American culture, where people have expressed themselves through music during flourishing and turbulent times. In the 1930’s, Swing music created a platform for audiences to vent their emotions in the midst of Great Depression and political unrest. Such strong relationship between music and culture can be seen throughout history, especially in the sixties.
Also known as the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, the American people felt that they deserved to have some fun in order to forget the emotional toll and social scars left from the war. The Jazz Age was appropriately named due to the illegal activities and good times, which included music, parties, and flapper girls. Jazz was a new style of music that originated out of the New Orleans area, where one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time – Louis Armstrong – began his career. The energy of jazz was a very new and almost uncomfortable style for the very traditional, rigid family of the 1920s. Young people in particular seemed to enjoy this new music the most, as it made them feel carefree. The energy of jazz was symbolic of the era’s trans...
The development of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the late 1940s and early 1950s by young African Americans coincided with a sensitive time in America. Civil rights movements were under way around the country as African Americans struggles to gain equal treatment and the same access to resources as their white neighbors. As courts began to vote in favor of integration, tensions between whites and blacks escalated. As the catchy rhythm of Rock ‘n’ Roll began to cross racial boundaries many whites began to feel threatened by the music, claiming its role in promoting integration. This became especially problematic as their youth became especially drawn to ...
Women’s sufferage was at it’s peak with the ratification of the United States Nineteenth Amendment. Women recived more independence after the end of the First World War and took a greater part in the work force. In the 1920s, there were many famous women Jazz artists such as Lovie Austin, a piano player and band leader, Lil Hardin Armstrong, a pianist who was originally a member of King Oliver’s band, and Bessie Smith, an African-American blues singer who inspired women like Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. Although women were also making a difference in the Jazz industry, it wasn’t until the 1930s when they were recongnized as successful artists in the music world.
Jazz music prospered in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Jazz was created by African Americans to represent pain and suffering and also represented the adversity that racial tension brought. (Scholastic) African American performers like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie “Bird” Parker came to be recognized for their ability to overcome “race relati...
Jazz and “boogie-woogie” of the Thirties moved popular music away from the light entertainment of the publishing houses toward a more exciting and dance oriented style that made the swing era a golden age. As the bigger bands died out and the star singers again grabbed the spot light the songwriters again found their services in demand. Without jazz driving it and Americans rebuilding their lives and starting baby booms people were too busy to waste time dancing. Popular music turned back to light sentimental songs and cute novelty music song by polished voices and backed by sweetly generic instrumentals.