Presentations

Location

Sydnor Performance Hall

Access Type

Open Access

Entry Number

103

Start Date

4-4-2018 11:00 AM

Department

Music

Abstract

Known as the ‘King of Swing’, clarinetist and band leader Benny Goodman (1909-1986) threatened the Nazi cause during WWII. With intent of improving music pedagogy, the purpose of this research was to investigate swing music during World War II. The particular problems of this study were to: (1) identify how the swing music of Benny Goodman (1909-1986) influenced adolescents in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Germany; (2) explore the Nazi party view on ‘swing’ music of the era; (3) examine how the music of Charlie and his Orchestra became used as a tool for Nazi propaganda; and (4) create a unit plan entitled “From Swing King to Swing Kids: The Jazz era of ‘Big Band Orchestras’ in World War II”.

Infectious and relatable, the swing music of Benny Goodman provided a sense of peace for civilians during WWII. Nazis and their sympathizers saw this music as degenerate and degrading. Nazis employed Charlie and his Orchestra to record versions of popularized American tunes and twist the lyrics to reflect pro-Nazi politics. As the attempt was ineffective, this political concept deserves more research to be used as a positive influence, as opposed to its Nazi use.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Cynthia B. Ramsey

Rights Statement

The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 4th, 11:00 AM

From Swing King to Swing Kids: The jazz era of ‘Big Band Orchestras’ in World War II

Sydnor Performance Hall

Known as the ‘King of Swing’, clarinetist and band leader Benny Goodman (1909-1986) threatened the Nazi cause during WWII. With intent of improving music pedagogy, the purpose of this research was to investigate swing music during World War II. The particular problems of this study were to: (1) identify how the swing music of Benny Goodman (1909-1986) influenced adolescents in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Germany; (2) explore the Nazi party view on ‘swing’ music of the era; (3) examine how the music of Charlie and his Orchestra became used as a tool for Nazi propaganda; and (4) create a unit plan entitled “From Swing King to Swing Kids: The Jazz era of ‘Big Band Orchestras’ in World War II”.

Infectious and relatable, the swing music of Benny Goodman provided a sense of peace for civilians during WWII. Nazis and their sympathizers saw this music as degenerate and degrading. Nazis employed Charlie and his Orchestra to record versions of popularized American tunes and twist the lyrics to reflect pro-Nazi politics. As the attempt was ineffective, this political concept deserves more research to be used as a positive influence, as opposed to its Nazi use.