Swing

The most extensive and fertile region when it comes to the great jazz performers of the 20th century. Swing appeared in the 20s and remained unusually popular right up to the Second World War. It was played mainly by swing bands – hefty orchestras consisting of ten people. Benny Goodman – without exaggeration, the king of swing and the founder of one of the most famous big bands, who had a resounding success not only in America but also abroad. The concert of his orchestra on August 21, 1935 in Los Angeles, which brought him stellar fame, is considered the beginning of the swing era. Duke Ellington is also the leader of his own big band, as well as a well-known composer, creator of numerous hits and jazz standards, including the familiar composition of almost every Caravan composition. He collaborated with many of the best jazz performers of that time, allowing everyone to bring their own unique style to the sound of the orchestra, creating an interesting and unusual “sound”. Chick Webb. It was in his orchestra that Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most famous jazz singers, began her career. Webb himself was a drummer, and his style of play influenced many other legends of jazz percussion (for example, Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson). He died of tuberculosis in 1939, not even forty years old. Glenn Miller – the creator of the eponymous big band, in the period 1939-1943 almost unmatched in popularity. Prior to that, Miller played, recorded with other orchestras, and also composed music with other great jazz performers of his time – Benny Goodman, Pee Weesel, Gene Krupa and others. Louis Armstrong It so happened that the interests of this greatest jazz performer turned out to be so diverse, and the “experience” is so great that it is not possible to attribute it uniquely to any style. During his career, Armstrong played in well-known orchestras, and solo, and as the leader of his own jazz band. His style of play has always been distinguished by bright personality and unconventional, original improvisations. Jazz singers and singers. These guys deserve a separate chapter, maybe not writing their own jazz standards, but having done a lot to develop this type of music. The unique timbres, the sensuality of the voice, the emotionality of the performance – much of this has come from the African American “folk” spirituals and gospels. Ella Fitzgerald – “The First Lady of Jazz”, one of the greatest jazz performers of the entire era of this music. The owner of a unique soft and “light” timbre of mezzo-soprano, she could take three octaves without any visible effort. In addition to the ideal sense of rhythm and intonation, she owned such a “chip” as scat – imitation of the voice of musical instruments of the jazz band. Billie Holiday – had an unusual bitty voice, giving a special sensuality to the manner of performance. The so-called instrumental timbre of her voice and the ability for rhythmic interpretation were successfully combined on stage with the sound of a jazz band.