Swing

Summary

Swing names both a rhythmic quality found across jazz and a particular musical era and style associated with big bands and dancing. This entry focuses on the latter while recognising that small groups also made extraordinary swing music. Arranged instrumental sections, individual solo voices and a buoyant pulse can create a remarkable sense of shared motion. Dancers were creative participants in this world, not passive consumers of a finished score. The style’s cultural identity is rooted fundamentally in African American performance even as a racially unequal industry spread it widely.

Contemporary and trending

The 1930s and 1940s mass-market swing era is historical, but the repertoire and techniques remain active. Professional repertory bands, school ensembles, social-dance scenes and contemporary small groups sustain different aspects. Lindy-hop communities can commission or support live musicians, while concert performances foreground composition and arrangement. Nostalgic presentation is only one possibility. New songs and interpretations can use swing language without pretending the social world of the Savoy Ballroom has returned unchanged. Present practice includes learning, dancing and experimentation alongside affectionate revival of familiar recordings.

History

Developments in 1920s ensemble jazz helped prepare the large-band languages associated with Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others. Harlem ballrooms and Kansas City’s connected band world nurtured distinctive approaches. Radio, touring and records broadened circulation during the swing era, while segregation shaped jobs, publicity and access to lucrative venues. The Savoy offers a particularly telling history of bands and dancers responding to one another. Later changes in entertainment economics and musical fashion altered the big-band business without ending swing as a creative language.

Musical characteristics

A walking bass, rhythmic guitar, drums and piano can establish a flexible four-beat foundation. Brass and reed sections exchange riffs, chords and written counterlines, with solos emerging from and returning to the ensemble. Swinging subdivision cannot be reduced to one mechanical long–short ratio: placement, articulation and tempo all matter. Some arrangements favour tightly crafted detail; others develop a few riffs through repeated exchange. Small groups can retain the same conversational lift without the massed sections. Listen to the rhythm section’s changing support beneath each soloist.

Geography and communities

The northeastern United States, Kansas City/Midwest band networks and other American urban circuits form related historical and continuing landscapes. Europe developed substantial adopted band and dance worlds, and contemporary social dancing sustains a broad international network. Japan and Australia also have durable swing communities. MuGlobe uses broad fields because bands, dancers and educational institutions connect places beyond single ballroom addresses. Their intensity reflects cultural attachment and infrastructure, not an assumption that swing remains today’s mass popular music wherever it once dominated radio.

Artists

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn demonstrate compositional and orchestral individuality; Count Basie reveals the power of space and riff. Chick Webb, Benny Goodman, Jimmie Lunceford and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm illuminate other band histories. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Jimmy Rushing offer contrasting vocal relationships to the ensemble. Dancers such as Frankie Manning and Norma Miller belong in the wider creative account. Compare arrangements and rhythm sections rather than treating every 1930s recording as identical. A quieter passage can swing as convincingly as a full-band climax.

Representative performances

These recordings offer listening examples of the genre. Notes identify the performance setting and any adaptation or mixed repertoire.

MuGlobe listening profile

Repertoire	Field use	Notes
popular	regional	Comprehensive catalogue; recent discovery is prioritized and worthwhile older music remains playable. Preserve specific recording contexts and dates.

MuGlobe representative performances

Artist	Performance / song / title	Embedded player URL	Notes	Repertoire kind	Repertoire date	Recording date	Format	Opening	Places	Fit	Evidence	Review note	MuGlobe favorite	Current hit	Authentic
Count Basie and His Orchestra	One O’Clock Jump — The Ed Sullivan Show, 1960	https://www.youtube.com/embed/aT5NKGgKjyo	The licensed television archive offers a concise big-band swing performance with Basie’s ensemble.	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy accepted recording retained during curation-field migration; no new age or geographic claims.	false	false	false
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra	Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)	https://www.youtube.com/embed/BHq36JjqRnA	Columbia/Legacy’s extended live recording allows the band’s riffing and solo development to unfold beyond a short broadcast excerpt.	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy accepted recording retained during curation-field migration; no new age or geographic claims.	false	false	false
Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington	It Don’t Mean a Thing — The Ed Sullivan Show, 1965	https://www.youtube.com/embed/myRc-3oF1d0	A credited vocal-and-orchestral television performance broadens the selection beyond instrumental bandleaders.	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	pending	Existing recording	Legacy accepted recording retained during curation-field migration; no new age or geographic claims.	false	false	false
Sant Andreu Jazz Band with Anna Sanchis	2026 its a most unusual day SANT ANDREU JAZZ BAND & ANNA SANCHIS	https://www.youtube.com/embed/9KiClO8rwGo	ItsAMostUnusualDay, actual2026Calongebigbandswingvocaldebut ofAnnaSanchis, primaryJoanChamorro. HaroldAdamson/JimmyMcHughcompositionMarkTaylorarrangement, composer/arranger notcurrentvoice. Completebigbandswingarrangement, notalljazzclassesorallbandoutputgenre. Exactdayunknown, nofullconcertparent. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-08-23; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:Spain	supported	Recording/context source	ItsAMostUnusualDay, actual2026Calongebigbandswingvocaldebut ofAnnaSanchis, primaryJoanChamorro. HaroldAdamson/JimmyMcHughcompositionMarkTaylorarrangement, composer/arranger notcurrentvoice. Completebigbandswingarrangement, notalljazzclassesorallbandoutputgenre. Exactdayunknown, nofullconcertparent. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Sant Andreu Jazz Band with Irina Fernández	2026 Any Old Time SANT ANDREU JAZZ BAND come and dance with us IRINA FERNANDEZ	https://www.youtube.com/embed/4kICtvZ0XrM	AnyOldTime ArtieShawswingrepertoire, primaryactual6April2026PlaçaReialBarcelonaComeAndDanceWithUs performance. ActualIrinaFernándezvocal/trombone,PereCompanyclarinet withbigband; JoanChamorroconductor, TxusCostalagofilmnotmusician. Completeoriginalensembleperformance, nofullalbumparent. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-08-06; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026-04-06	live	unknown	country:Spain	supported	Recording/context source	AnyOldTime ArtieShawswingrepertoire, primaryactual6April2026PlaçaReialBarcelonaComeAndDanceWithUs performance. ActualIrinaFernándezvocal/trombone,PereCompanyclarinet withbigband; JoanChamorroconductor, TxusCostalagofilmnotmusician. Completeoriginalensembleperformance, nofullalbumparent. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Sant Andreu Jazz Band with Luc Martin	2026 Blue Cellophane SANT ANDREU JAZZ BAND feat LUC MARTIN ( dir JOAN CHAMORRO )	https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5KL6juwEso	BlueCellophane DukeEllingtonbigbandswing, primaryactual6April2026PlaçaReialBarcelona. ActualLucMartintrombonefeature,notsinger. Distinctfullworkfromsamebandshow, nofullparent; publication2Septembernotrecordingdate. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-09-02; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026-04-06	live	unknown	country:Spain	supported	Recording/context source	BlueCellophane DukeEllingtonbigbandswing, primaryactual6April2026PlaçaReialBarcelona. ActualLucMartintrombonefeature,notsinger. Distinctfullworkfromsamebandshow, nofullparent; publication2Septembernotrecordingdate. Source: Joan Chamorro . Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Count Basie Orchestra	The Count Basie Orchestra Performs "Basie"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/D3Q6ikDP6u4	Basie, actualcurrentorchestraperformanceWebbCenter23February2026, primaryvenue. EnsemblebranddoesnotmeanfounderCountBasiepersonallypresent. Specificsectionalriffingbigbandswing, noentiremixedfestivalparentorarchivalreupload. Source: Webb Center for the Performing Arts. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-24; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026-02-23	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Basie, actualcurrentorchestraperformanceWebbCenter23February2026, primaryvenue. EnsemblebranddoesnotmeanfounderCountBasiepersonallypresent. Specificsectionalriffingbigbandswing, noentiremixedfestivalparentorarchivalreupload. Source: Webb Center for the Performing Arts. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart	THE COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA directed by SCOTTY BARNHART -BLUES FOR STEPHANIE- BLUE NOTE TOKYO 2024	https://www.youtube.com/embed/QvLKusJ5zMU	BluesForStephanie, primaryactualBlueNoteTokyo2024residencybigbandswing. ActualScottyBarnhartconductor/trumpet,currentorchestraro sterincludingDougLawrence/ReggieThomas/WillMatthews/TrevorWare/RobertBoone; founderBasienotcurrentpianist. Songfulleightminuteperformance,2025uploaddistinguishedfrom2024session,nofullresidencyparent. Source: BLUE NOTE JAPAN. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2025-05-23; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2024	live	unknown	country:United States of America; country:Japan	supported	Recording/context source	BluesForStephanie, primaryactualBlueNoteTokyo2024residencybigbandswing. ActualScottyBarnhartconductor/trumpet,currentorchestraro sterincludingDougLawrence/ReggieThomas/WillMatthews/TrevorWare/RobertBoone; founderBasienotcurrentpianist. Songfulleightminuteperformance,2025uploaddistinguishedfrom2024session,nofullresidencyparent. Source: BLUE NOTE JAPAN. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Count Basie Orchestra	Count Basie Orchestra - Franky and Johnny (ZDF JazzClub, 1987)	https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVShca3bsmM	DistinctFrankyAndJohnny/BluesInFrankiesFlat, primarylicensedZDFJazzClubactual13July1987performances. April2026uploadsnotrecentrecordings; actualrepertoryorchestra notfounderCountBasieassumedalive. Twofullmusicalworks, wholeZDFfullshowzsbodTB3oeYnotselected. Source: Count Basie. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-04-10; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	1987-07-13	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	DistinctFrankyAndJohnny/BluesInFrankiesFlat, primarylicensedZDFJazzClubactual13July1987performances. April2026uploadsnotrecentrecordings; actualrepertoryorchestra notfounderCountBasieassumedalive. Twofullmusicalworks, wholeZDFfullshowzsbodTB3oeYnotselected. Source: Count Basie. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Gordon Webster Group	SONH 2026 The Gordon Webster Group perform 'S Wonderful	https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yk599jJxaWA	SWonderful andLikeSomeoneInLove, actualSONH2026 dancebandperformancesfromYehoodisSwingDanceVideos. Specificswingstandardarrangements, notalllatermodernjazzthatusesswingrhythm. Twofullbandtracks, no danceinstructionorthreehourfestivalmixorwholeparentprogramme. Currentbackingmusiciansunspecified, Gordonactualpianist/bandleader. Source: Yehoodi's Swing Dance Videos. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-09-07; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	SWonderful andLikeSomeoneInLove, actualSONH2026 dancebandperformancesfromYehoodisSwingDanceVideos. Specificswingstandardarrangements, notalllatermodernjazzthatusesswingrhythm. Twofullbandtracks, no danceinstructionorthreehourfestivalmixorwholeparentprogramme. Currentbackingmusiciansunspecified, Gordonactualpianist/bandleader. Source: Yehoodi's Swing Dance Videos. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Gordon Webster Group	SONH 2026 The Gordon Webster Group perform Like Someone in Love	https://www.youtube.com/embed/VSyqYQwxFvU	SWonderful andLikeSomeoneInLove, actualSONH2026 dancebandperformancesfromYehoodisSwingDanceVideos. Specificswingstandardarrangements, notalllatermodernjazzthatusesswingrhythm. Twofullbandtracks, no danceinstructionorthreehourfestivalmixorwholeparentprogramme. Currentbackingmusiciansunspecified, Gordonactualpianist/bandleader. Source: Yehoodi's Swing Dance Videos. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-09-07; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	SWonderful andLikeSomeoneInLove, actualSONH2026 dancebandperformancesfromYehoodisSwingDanceVideos. Specificswingstandardarrangements, notalllatermodernjazzthatusesswingrhythm. Twofullbandtracks, no danceinstructionorthreehourfestivalmixorwholeparentprogramme. Currentbackingmusiciansunspecified, Gordonactualpianist/bandleader. Source: Yehoodi's Swing Dance Videos. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five with Hilary Alexander	Sing You Sinners - performed by Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander	https://www.youtube.com/embed/t4VAdc2Xoh0	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-08-18; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five with Hilary Alexander	I've Got My Fingers Creossed performed by Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five	https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkCf_DhHZpw	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-08-18; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five with Hilary Alexander	UNDECIDED written by Charles Shavers (1939) performed by JonathaJonathan Stout and his Campus Five	https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjySurrQSh8	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-07-31; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five with Hilary Alexander	Humming to Myself (1933) performed by Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander	https://www.youtube.com/embed/S83AtoL9MKE	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-08-18; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	DistinctSingYouSinners/IveGotMyFingersCrossed/Undecided/HummingToMyself actual2026SummerNights KnottsBerryFarmCalicoParkStage swingbandperformances. ActualJonathanband/Hilaryvoice, classic1930srepertoireinnewperformances; composerCharlesShaversnotcurrentartist. No samefullKnottsprogrammeparent orshortcutsduplicated. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five with Hilary Alexander	Those Eyes = Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, featuring Hilary Alexander	https://www.youtube.com/embed/rSircC9xfJs	MeMyselfAndI andThoseEyes, focusedactualswingband/vocalperformances, primaryfilmercaptionnamescurrentbandandHilaryAlexander. 1937workdateofMeMyselfnotrecordingyear; July2026publicationnotexactsessiondate. No fullprogrammeorunknownsamemasterreupload. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-07-30; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	unknown	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	MeMyselfAndI andThoseEyes, focusedactualswingband/vocalperformances, primaryfilmercaptionnamescurrentbandandHilaryAlexander. 1937workdateofMeMyselfnotrecordingyear; July2026publicationnotexactsessiondate. No fullprogrammeorunknownsamemasterreupload. Source: Rhino Cowboy. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra	Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 5 - "Up Jumped the Goat"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/DoS0bnCtMS0	UpJumpedTheGoat andRedBankAdjacent, actualcompleteoriginal2026CalbalOpenClassiccommissionedspotlighttunes. Deliberatelyshort95secondcompositionsforimprovisingBalboa competitors, countswholework notarbitrarilytrimmedsongs. PrimarycomposerdescribesChickWebb/CountBasietropes, guitarco-leaderJonathanStout,actualsax/clarinet/brass/rhythm/vibraphoneorchestra. Dancercompetitorsnotmusicians, eachworkdistinctandnofull9tuneparentselected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-11; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	UpJumpedTheGoat andRedBankAdjacent, actualcompleteoriginal2026CalbalOpenClassiccommissionedspotlighttunes. Deliberatelyshort95secondcompositionsforimprovisingBalboa competitors, countswholework notarbitrarilytrimmedsongs. PrimarycomposerdescribesChickWebb/CountBasietropes, guitarco-leaderJonathanStout,actualsax/clarinet/brass/rhythm/vibraphoneorchestra. Dancercompetitorsnotmusicians, eachworkdistinctandnofull9tuneparentselected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra	Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 3 - "Red Bank Adjacent"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/UFpLw857gH4	UpJumpedTheGoat andRedBankAdjacent, actualcompleteoriginal2026CalbalOpenClassiccommissionedspotlighttunes. Deliberatelyshort95secondcompositionsforimprovisingBalboa competitors, countswholework notarbitrarilytrimmedsongs. PrimarycomposerdescribesChickWebb/CountBasietropes, guitarco-leaderJonathanStout,actualsax/clarinet/brass/rhythm/vibraphoneorchestra. Dancercompetitorsnotmusicians, eachworkdistinctandnofull9tuneparentselected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-07; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	UpJumpedTheGoat andRedBankAdjacent, actualcompleteoriginal2026CalbalOpenClassiccommissionedspotlighttunes. Deliberatelyshort95secondcompositionsforimprovisingBalboa competitors, countswholework notarbitrarilytrimmedsongs. PrimarycomposerdescribesChickWebb/CountBasietropes, guitarco-leaderJonathanStout,actualsax/clarinet/brass/rhythm/vibraphoneorchestra. Dancercompetitorsnotmusicians, eachworkdistinctandnofull9tuneparentselected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Gordon Webster Band	Gordon Webster Band - Tain't What You Do	https://www.youtube.com/embed/QvPEZJN00mo	Complete Tain’t What You Do swing-band performance at the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 26 April 2026 DC Lindy Exchange. Primary event publisher names actual band, rather than assuming dancers are musicians. Source: DC Lindy Exchange. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-06-13; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026-04-26	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Complete Tain’t What You Do swing-band performance at the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 26 April 2026 DC Lindy Exchange. Primary event publisher names actual band, rather than assuming dancers are musicians. Source: DC Lindy Exchange. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
Danny Jonokuchi and the Revisionists	ILHC 2023 - The Big Apple with Danny Jonokuchi & the Revisionists	https://www.youtube.com/embed/1BQ4ybgcK5Q	Actual live swing band accompanying the Big Apple contest at ILHC 2023 in New York. Primary event caption identifies musicians separately from dancers; focused musical number, not instructional lesson or silent demonstration. Source: The International Lindy Hop Championships. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2023-05-27; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2023	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Actual live swing band accompanying the Big Apple contest at ILHC 2023 in New York. Primary event caption identifies musicians separately from dancers; focused musical number, not instructional lesson or silent demonstration. Source: The International Lindy Hop Championships. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra	Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 6 - "A Goodman is Hard to Find"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gm1Iz9igo1s	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-12; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra	Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 1 - "Just Passing Through"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/75hM0Yq3a4U	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-06; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra	Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 7 - "What's the Plan, Sam?"	https://www.youtube.com/embed/uWhCHaAFjbs	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained. Video publication: 2026-02-13; original-release and performance dates are separate. Advancing embedded playback checked 22 October 2026.	popular	unknown	2026	live	unknown	country:United States of America	supported	Recording/context source	Three complete original 2026 Calbal commissioned spotlight compositions: A Goodman Is Hard to Find, Just Passing Through, and What’s the Plan Sam. Primary composer explains fixed 90-second musical form, distinct structures and Benny Goodman/Slam Stewart swing practice. These are whole short compositions, not arbitrary excerpts. Actual band musicians credited separately from improvising dancers; no full concert parent selected. Source: campusfive. Video publication is separate from original/session date; unknown dates retained.	false	false	false

Related genres

Traditional jazz supplies important ensemble and solo histories, while bebop developed new approaches partly within musicians’ experience of swing bands. Jump blues and rhythm-and-blues shared personnel, riffs and dancing publics without being the same style. Western swing is a distinct American regional formation with meaningful jazz exchange. Swing dancing names several practices and is not a guarantee of one band sound. Distinguishing the historical style from the broader verb to swing prevents the mistaken idea that later jazz abandoned rhythmic vitality when big bands lost their dominant commercial position.

References and further reading

• Jazz in America: General Syllabus — Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

• Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology

Hotspot mushrooms

Connected American band landscapes and durable international band/dance adoption are more useful than famous ballroom pins. Historical mass popularity is separated from contemporary community intensity in prose.

These fields are editorial illustrations of musical affinity and cultural reach, not listener statistics. Radius marks the zero edge of the fade; overlapping fields of this genre combine by maximum.

MuGlobe hotspot mushrooms

ID	Location	Latitude	Longitude	Radius (km)	Strength	Notes
swing-northeast	Northeastern US swing and big-band corridor	40.3	-74.5	950	1	Formation, continuing repertory and dense dance/education infrastructure.
swing-midwest	Kansas City–Midwest swing landscape	39.5	-93.5	1200	0.9	Territory-band history, jazz institutions and adopted regional communities.
swing-california	California swing and dance circuits	36	-120	850	0.67	Longstanding recording, band and social-dance worlds.
swing-europe	European swing-band and dance networks	50	6	1600	0.83	Durable independent adoption across clubs, ensembles and dance communities.
swing-japan	Japanese swing and big-band communities	35.5	137	900	0.65	Sustained adopted performance, teaching and listening networks.
swing-australia	Southeastern Australian swing communities	-35	145	1000	0.57	Established local band and dance ecology.