Swing and or Swagger …

United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once wrote that hard-core pornography was hard to define, stating: "But I know it when I see it.” Swing is like that. Few musicians could explain swing to a non-musician in any meaningful way, but every musician certainly knows it when he hears it. Perhaps the best word is “feel“--that bouncy effect that makes your head bob and your toes tap. Duke Ellington himself once defined “swing” as “Harlem for rhythm.” 

Swagger is equally difficult to explain, yet we all recognize it . “Charisma” understates the role of will, while “cocky” suggests too much arrogance. Suffice to say this playlist features the Big Band Era and those peacocks who coolly strutted centre stage, radiating confidence, attitude and style--the entertainers who you can’t take your eyes off for some enigmatic reason. I could have provided examples from other genres. Heavy rock band Van Halen could really swing--check out songs like “I’m the One” on the 1978 debut and “Hot for Teacher” from 1984. And clearly frontman David Lee Roth had as much swagger as anybody! But I’ve stuck to those who lived through the swing era, oozed it through their pores, and wore it on their sleeves. I’ve given priority to vocal performances, so several fine instrumentals were left off. It is noteworthy that those with the swagger could usually swing as well.