Author Description

In 1935, jazz became nationally popular as America's best example of art & entertainment. This was the Swing Era, when great energy & originality flowed through the music. Here are the personal memories of the sounds & sights of this golden age, when countless small jazz combos & hundreds of big bands -- including those led by Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford -- created exciting & romantic music. There were great soloists: Goodman, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Jack Teagarden, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, & Lionel Hampton, as well as young singers: Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday.