The Early Swing Era, 1930 to 1941

(Hardback)

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Provides a valuable reference guide to one of the most popular eras of jazz history, offering a survey of the leading big bands and the innovative small bands that defined the nature of swing. 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 Dave 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.

Reviews

.,."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."-Reference & Research Book News
...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.-Reference & Research Book News
Musicians and nonmusicians with a focused interest in this period will find the book of great value, particularly for its extensive notes referring to recordings and for its many quoted opinions....All music collections.-Choice
"Musicians and nonmusicians with a focused interest in this period will find the book of great value, particularly for its extensive notes referring to recordings and for its many quoted opinions....All music collections."-Choice
..."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."-Reference & Research Book News

Author Bio

Dave Oliphant has been affiliated since 1976 with the University of Texas at Austin, where he has taught English and edited a scholarly journal. 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.