Many early Jazz musicians migrated to Kansas, Chicago, and New York for work as New Orleans Storyville district clubs closed up. Musicians and composers in these cities also contributed and by the late twenties Big Band Swing was born. This energetic dance music featured large ensembles of horns, woodwinds a full rhythm section of bass, drums, piano and guitar as well as frequently featuring a vocalist.
A swinging feel is the most important ingredient for this music. The ride stays fairly steady by todays standards and the band's shots are “set up” and accentuated by the drummer through use of his or her entire kit.
Many drummers of the Swing era were bandleaders - How cool is that! These include: Ben Pollack, Buddy Rich, Chick Webb, Gene Krupa and Lionel Hampton.
Remember: Feather the bass drum, and play the high-hat with your left foot on beats 2 & 4.
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