The world of swing cover

The world of swing

by Stanley Dance

"Updated for a new generation of swing enthusiasts, this oral history documents big band jazz as it evolved in the 1920s and 1930s in the words of some of the greatest musicians of the time. In the grand tradition of oral history, Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge recount the seminal impact of Fletcher Henderson's band on Benny Goodman; Cozy Cole and Jonah Jones discuss the Cab Calloway band and their days working with Dizzy Gillespie; Vic Dickenson and Freddie Green recall Count Basie; and Quentin Jackson talks about Duke Ellington. And there's more: while Lionel Hampton speaks about his own career, distinguished musicians such as guitarist Tiny Grimes and violinist Stuff Smith share insights about other soloists and sidemen."--BOOK JACKET.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?