The Kings of Swing- The Great Big Bands
with Denny Ilett Guitar Player& Vocalist
from England
To all our dear friends,
We invite you to a series of 3 musical lectures with the great Guitar player, Vocalist, the Artistic Director of Bristol Jazz Festival Denny Ilett from Bristol, GB!
Denny Ilett presents a series of three lectures covering the rise, fall, and rise again of the great big bands and the Swing Era. Putting the spotlight on the major bandleaders, their star soloists and their orchestrators Denny will discuss how the music was born, how it developed and how it shaped the mood of a nation. With rare videos to help tell the story, Denny will also highlight the social and economic issues of the day that had more influence on the music than is often realized.
Strictly the Bristol-based guitarist is Denny Ilett has been playing professionally since the mid-80s, perfecting a range of guitar styles across jazz, blues, rock and swing that enable him to shine in almost any context. As Artistic Director and joint founder of the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival he has brought to the city great names.
Denny Ilett is rare commodity – a virtuoso British guitarist and a talented writer/arranger, who has honed his chops not on the UK scene but rather by playing and touring with some of New Orleans finest including Lillian Boutte and members of such notable bands as The Meters, Dr John and the Harry Connick Jnr Big Band.
Glenn Miller Big Band
Count Basie Big Band & Billie Holiday
Duke Ellington Orchestra
Recorded Musical Lecture No. 1
The Birth of the Big Bands 1925-1935
Almost 100 years ago jazz left New Orleans and began to spread across the United States. The music soon began to evolve as musicians from different backgrounds added their own influences and ideas. As jazz became more popular with the public, the old style of collective improvisation gave way to a more organised sound. Bands started to expand from the traditional 5-piece ensemble to groups of up to 17-pieces. We investigate the role Louis Armstrong played in creating the rhythmic approach known as ‘swing’ and how orchestras led by Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and others paved the way for the musical explosion that followed.
Recorded Musical Lecture No. 2
The Golden Age of Swing 1935-1945
In 1935 big band jazz officially became the most popular music of the day as Benny Goodman unleashed his ensemble on the ears of a nation. Overnight, swing was the thing and ballrooms across the nation were packed with dancers. Every major city spawned a superstar big band of their own and records sold in their millions. The rise of radio meant artists could gain national recognition in the blink of an eye and bandleaders, their soloists and musical arrangers became huge stars. Throughout the late 1930’s and 1940’s artists such as Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller and Harry James enjoyed celebrity and record sales that today’s pop stars can only dream of.
Recorded Musical Lecture No. 3
Big Bands go Bebop! 1945-1965
After the Second World War a revolution in jazz occurred with the ‘Bebop’ years. The post-war recession forced a lot of big bands out of business and the small groups were ready to take their place with new rhythms and advanced harmonies. However, stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman and others were able to adapt and survive. Others gave up and disbanded before reforming in the 1950’s and many others disappeared altogether. Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton played a large role in helping the big bands evolve away from being commercial groups for dancing into more sophisticated sounds. Jazz took on a more artistic persona and the big bands left the dance hall for the concert hall.
*The 3 links will be sent to you by email up to 24 hours after purchase and will be available for viewing up to about two weeks after purchase
*Each lecture lasts about an hour * If there is any difficulty in viewing or purchasing, you can write in WhatsApp to mobile number 0544347213 or email daniel.w@skygp.co.il
*Price 120 NIS or 28£ for the three lectures
We would love to see you with us!
* All images are published in accordance with section 27A of the Copyright Law. If you feel harmed by the publication of these photos, please notify us immediately by email info@shamayim.co.il and we will check them out.
