Although several Black orchestras—e.g., those of Basie, Ellington, Chick Webb, and Jimmie Lunceford—became famous during the period, the swing era was in the main a white preserve whose outstanding bandleaders included Benny Goodman, Harry James, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller.

Who were some of the greatest band leaders of the swing era?

Swing music was the dominant style of American ‘pop’ between 1935-46, and leaders of big bands such as Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey were huge stars. Virtuoso clarinettist Benny Goodman was nicknamed “the King of Swing”, and was one of the most popular bandleaders during this period.

Who were the leading African American bandleaders during the swing era?

Though this was its most popular period, the music had actually been around since the late 1920s and early 1930s, being played by black bands led by such artists as Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Bennie Moten, Cab Calloway, Earl Hines, and Fletcher Henderson, and white bands from the 1920s led by the likes of Jean

Who were the key soloists in the swing era?

Major swing soloists also emerged in the 1930s—most notably tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster; pianists Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson; and singer Billie Holiday.

Was a famous big band leader of the swing era?

When “swing was the thing,” big bands led by the Dorsey brothers, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington ruled America’s airwaves and its dance floors.

Did the swing era use big bands?

A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s.

Who was considered the most famous swing musician?

Benny Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and band leader, known as the “King of Swing”. In the mid-1930s, Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America.

Who is the black King of Swing?

During an era of racial segregation, he led one of the first integrated jazz groups, his quartet and quintet.

Benny Goodman
Born	May 30, 1909 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	June 13, 1986 (aged 77) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Jazz swing
Occupation(s)	Musician bandleader songwriter

Who were the two most popular swing composers?

Henderson and his brother Horace remained among the most influential swing arrangers of the following decade. Equally as important was Duke Ellington, whose music was infused with a unique range of harmonies and sound colours.

Which band leader was the first to put a racially integrated band on a major stage?

Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman: Forever The King Of Swing Born 100 years ago Saturday, clarinetist Benny Goodman made jazz a listening concern for folks who thought it was only for the clubs. He was not only an innovative musician, but a forward-thinking bandleader, the first to integrate black musicians on stage with a white band.

Who was the most famous leader of big bands?

Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller



The Iowa-born Miller, a trombonist, composer, arranger and, above all, leader of arguably the best known big band in the world, was at the peak of his career at the time.

Who led the three most important bands of the big band era?

Led by bandleaders like Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Chick Webb, the big band era thrived throughout the 1930s, inspiring new popular swing dances like the jitterbug and the jive.

Who was a top swing musician of the 1930s?

Musicians of the swing era include Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw and Django Reinhardt.

Who is considered the greatest composer of the big band era?

DUKE ELLINGTON (1899-1974) An influential pioneer of the big band form. Composer, bandleader, and pianist Ellington brought prestige to jazz and, particularly, swing. He has been referred to as America’s greatest composer in any genre.

Who was the first important big band leader?

Bandleader Charlie Barnet’s recording of “Cherokee” in 1942 and “The Moose” in 1943 have been called the beginning of the bop era. Woody Herman‘s first band, nicknamed the First Herd, borrowed from progressive jazz, while the Second Herd emphasized the saxophone section of three tenors and one baritone.