New York Swing

History

Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, and Jimmie Lunceford all shaped the sound in and around New York’s clubs, theaters, ballrooms, and radio circuits. The city’s concentration of arrangers, sidemen, and venues made it swing’s central laboratory.

Defining artists

• Fletcher HendersonSpotifyYouTube
• Benny GoodmanSpotifyYouTube
• Duke EllingtonSpotifyYouTube
• Chick WebbSpotifyYouTube
• Jimmie LuncefordSpotifyYouTube
• Cab CallowaySpotifyYouTube

Essential listening

• King Porter Stomp — Fletcher HendersonSpotifyYouTube
• Sing Sing Sing — Benny GoodmanSpotifyYouTube
• Take the A Train — Duke EllingtonSpotifyYouTube
• Stompin at the Savoy — Chick WebbSpotifyYouTube
• For Dancers Only — Jimmie LuncefordSpotifyYouTube
• Jumpin Jive — Cab CallowaySpotifyYouTube

Sources

• New York swing histories
• Carnegie Hall Timeline
• classic band biographies.