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Chapter 6: The Golden Era of Big Band Swing: The 1930s and Beyond
popularity, his use of black musicians helped launch their careers (with concerts
and recordings) in a way that wouldn’t have been possible had they
been in all-black bands.
The prime of Goodman’s big band career came between 1936 and 1939, when
his band included some big namers:
� Harry James, Bunny Berigan, and Ziggy Elman, trumpeters
� Jess Stacy and Teddy Wilson, pianists
� Davey Tough and Gene Krupa, drummers
� Lionel Hampton, vibraphonist
When Goodman’s band played Carnegie Hall in 1938, joined by members of
the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands, the milestone performance elevated
the music to new legitimacy. This performance was the first time jazz had
been featured in such a big way at a concert hall previously known for classical
music. Even though Goodman was the headliner, he had the grace to include
several great players who provided inspiration.
The recording of this concert is available on the CD Carnegie Hall Jazz
Concert (Sony), and it should be a part of your collection.
Coming on Strong: Other
Important Big Bands
Although Count Basie and Benny Goodman were the powerhouses of big
band swing, several other notable bands pushed the music forward.
� Charlie Barnet (1913–1991): Barnet, a leader and saxophonist who
admired Count Basie and Duke Ellington’s big bands, was one of the first
to front an integrated orchestra; his group also was one of the first predominantly
white bands to play Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre. Barnet
assembled a big band in 1932 and became well known with the 1939 hit
“Cherokee.” In the 1940s, Barnet’s band recorded more hits including
“Skyliner,” and as the band moved to demanding bebop charts, the
lineup included rising stars such as trumpeters Maynard Ferguson and
Doc Severinsen and guitarist Barney Kessel.
� Bob Crosby (1913–1993): A bandleader and vocalist (brother of Bing
Crosby), he helped Chicago-style jazz evolve into big band swing with
new arrangements of earlier jazz tunes such as “South Rampart Street
Parade” and “Wolverine Blues.”
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