Practice Music
Swing Music Playlists
Check out these playlists - an easy way to get started listening to swing era music. These songs are great to practice dancing your Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. Note: you will need to get a spotify account in order to use the playlists. It’s super easy to get started and it’s free with occasional ads (or a monthly fee to listen ad-free).
Practice Music
Low-mid Tempo
Up Tempo
DJ Peter Strom's practice music playlist for learning Lindy Hop.
DJ and bandleader Naomi Uyama's playlist for an instant swing dance.
Great Swing Era Jazz Musicians
Here is a VERY short list of jazz musicians we love. Try looking them up on Spotify, Youtube, or plugging them into Pandora.
Artie Shaw
Benny Goodman
Buster Smith
Cab Calloway
Chick Webb
Count Basie
Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald
Fats Waller
Fletcher Henderson
Gene Krupa
Jimmie Lunceford
Illinois Jacquet
Lionel Hampton
Lester Young
Roy Eldridge
Sidney Bechet
Contemporary National Bands
Many of these bands tour the country playing at various Swing events.
CD Recommendations: Building a music library
“Must Haves”
One or the Other: Metronome All Stars or Esquire All Stars
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra: Live at the Savoy 1939-40
“Good stuff”
“Most for your money”
Benny Goodman