Swing , an exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, documents the development of the music, the forces that propelled it to a decade of popularity, and the ways it mirrored and impacted broader society.
Admission is free.
The exhibition showcases such items as Duke Ellington's handwritten manuscript to Birmingham Breakdown, Fletcher Henderson's original arrangements of That Lucky Fellow for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, press releases and press kits for groups like Count Basie and His Orchestra, and original designs for 1930s night clubs. Swing opens with a section on the music's evolution in the late 1920s and early 30s from small jazz bands and dance orchestras. It defines the stylistic elements of Swing and illustrates the typical instrumentation used in a swing orchestra. A section on Swing as live performance features photographs of such groups as the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, along with original arrangements used by these and other groups. Next the exhibition demonstrates the importance of radio and the recording industry to the music's popularity, with photos of recording sessions, promotional materials, and rare recordings of radio broadcasts.