Swing and or Swagger …

Welcome to Ray D's Liner Notes: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller, Chick Webb, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Sammy Davis Jr. Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson

Ray d'Entremont , Bio and Archives--September 4, 2026

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United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once wrote that hard-core pornography was hard to define, stating: "But I know it when I see it.” Swing is like that. Few musicians could explain swing to a non-musician in any meaningful way, but every musician certainly knows it when he hears it. Perhaps the best word is “feel“--that bouncy effect that makes your head bob and your toes tap. Duke Ellington himself once defined “swing” as “Harlem for rhythm.” 

Swagger is equally difficult to explain, yet we all recognize it . “Charisma” understates the role of will, while “cocky” suggests too much arrogance. Suffice to say this playlist features the Big Band Era and those peacocks who coolly strutted centre stage, radiating confidence, attitude and style--the entertainers who you can’t take your eyes off for some enigmatic reason. I could have provided examples from other genres. Heavy rock band Van Halen could really swing--check out songs like “I’m the One” on the 1978 debut and “Hot for Teacher” from 1984. And clearly frontman David Lee Roth had as much swagger as anybody! But I’ve stuck to those who lived through the swing era, oozed it through their pores, and wore it on their sleeves. I’ve given priority to vocal performances, so several fine instrumentals were left off. It is noteworthy that those with the swagger could usually swing as well.

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)--Duke Ellington (with Ella Fitzgerald)

Two jazz landmarks began with this song. When first recorded in the early 1930s, the “doo-ah, doo-ah” responses that later became central to scat improvisation were created by the brass section answering singer Ivie Anderson. It was also the first popular song to put the word “swing” into the public jazz vernacular, helping launch the full Swing Era a few years later. One song on a list like this should feature scat, and who better than Ella Fitzgerald? This version comes from a 1965 Ed Sullivan Show appearance. The mutual respect between Ella and Duke is palpable as the band lays a solid foundation for her improvisation. Like Sarah Vaughan, Ella used her voice as a horn. Here it is easy to believe she is declaring that without that elusive rhythmic feel, there is no meaning. The song is a jazz manifesto.

Bugle Call Rag--Benny Goodman

Benny didn’t write this, but he delivered what is likely the definitive version. It swings hard. The main hook is built on the military “Assembly” bugle call. This recording catches Goodman at a transitional........

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