Briefly discuss the big bands of the swing era.  Focus your discussion on the contributions of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.

What will be an ideal response?

 Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974)pianist, composer, band leaderthe Ellington sound: unique use of instrumental colordue to the imagination of Ellington himself (in addition to writing partner from 1938, Billy Strayhorn)due to the individual players in his bandbroad range as a composerinstrumental (primarily) and vocal musicpioneered writing more complex works for jazz ensemble  Count Basie (1904-84)Kansas City “jump” stylehard-driving beatCount Basie called it “four heavy beats to a bar, and no cheating.”closely akin to the drive of boogie-woogieremembered more for his piano and band-leader skills than as a composer  Benny Goodman (1909-86)white clarinetist and band leader (big bands and small)formal music education: played both classical and jazz stylesacknowledged his African American jazz heritagemany of his arrangements: Fletcher Hendersonamong them, guitarist Charlie Christianone of the first to incorporate black musicians in his ensemblesbrought jazz to a new level of popularity and acceptance as dance music