Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939

Swing would be reacquainted with its blues roots by way of Kansas City, when Count Basie and the Barons of Rhythm brought their hot sound to the Big Apple. Basie would also give Billie Holiday her first break, offering her a chance to travel, perform, drink, and gamble with the rest of the band. Another young singer named Ella Fitzgerald would get her start in Chick Webb’s band at the Savoy Ballroom, and then be named top female vocalist—over Billy Holiday—by Down Beat in 1937.

Writing:
  • Geoffrey C. Ward

Stars:
Release Date: 2001-01-09
Seasons: 1
TMDb: 8.0/10
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 120

Other episodes for this season

Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917
Episode 1 - Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917
The Gift: 1917-1924
Episode 2 - The Gift: 1917-1924
Our Language: 1924 -1929
Episode 3 - Our Language: 1924 -1929
The True Welcome: 1929-1934
Episode 4 - The True Welcome: 1929-19...
Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937
Episode 5 - Swing: Pure Pleasure - 19...
Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939
Episode 6 - Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939
Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945
Episode 7 - Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-...
Risk: 1945-1955
Episode 8 - Risk: 1945-1955
The Adventure: 1956-1960
Episode 9 - The Adventure: 1956-1960
A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present
Episode 10 - A Masterpiece by Midnight...