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Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939

S1E6

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939

S1E6

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939

  • Air date:2001-01-22
  • User score:
    8.3
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.

Top Cast

Keith David

Keith David

Narrator (voice)

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Self (archive footage)

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Self (archive footage)

Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman

Self (archive footage)

Artie Shaw

Artie Shaw

Self (archive footage)

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday

Self (archive footage)

Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller

Self (archive footage)

Dave Brubeck

Dave Brubeck

Self (archive footage)

John Coltrane

John Coltrane

Self (archive footage)

Art Blakey

Art Blakey

Self (archive footage)

Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus

Self (archive footage)

Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis

Self

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