...but does it SWING?

[BeBop]

When I was growing up with jazz, we often spoke of swing. In fact, we probably spoke of this jazz element more than any other. At the time, we debated whether it was an essential element of jazz and we debated who swung and who didn't. (Cecil Taylor? Albert Ayler? Paul Quinichette?)

I hang out on these board from time to time, and try to catch a representative sample of the threads (excepting Politics). I don't see much about the fundamental question: does it swing?

So, who swings? Clark Terry? Harry Edison? Zoot Sims?

What swings? The Basie Band?

And is it essential?

[BeBop]

By the way, would anyone care to attempt a defintion?

[mikeweil]

I better not.

Andrew Cyrille has stated swing was a way of projecting maximum energy with minimum effort.

Musically, everything that has some groove and makes you move swings - I saw a Bulgarian folk group during my vacation that swung their butts off - and mine too!

[Jim Alfredson]

I've read enough interviews with Wynton, thanks.

[Free For All]

Very nice new Zora pics, Jim!

[BeBop]

I've read enough interviews with Wynton, thanks.

I respectfully withdraw whatever question or comment prompted the conversation to turn to Mr. W. Marsalis.

Define 'swing', I suppose? I didn't catch the PBS series on jazz with the aforementioned Mr. M, but, based on comments I've read, I suspect this definition may have been a big part of his 'contributions'.

[couw]

Very nice new Zora pics, Jim!

focussing closely, they make me sea-sick somehow

(NOT the lovely child, the animation that is)

Edited September 28, 2004 by couw

[Free For All]

C'mon, she's SWINGIN'!!!

[Dr. Rat]

I've often wondered what the objections were to Schuller's definition of Swing from the Swing Era.

Anyone care to outline that?

--eric