1. Famous Musicians Swing, Jazz, and Big Band

2. Swing and Big Band Ensembles

3. Glenn Miller Band Glenn Miller was a composer, musician, and bandleader during the swing era. He was the best-selling record artist from 1939-1943 Two of his most famous recordings are “Pennsylvania 6-5000”, & “In the Mood”. He was criticized for the band’s frequent rehearsals and “letter-perfect playing”. Critics thought it would take away from the feeling in the performance. Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Mel Torme were fans. In 1942, at the peak of his career he decided to join the war effor (WW II) and formed a modernized Army Air Force Band. On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers there. His plane (a single-engined) departed as scheduled and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is "missing in action". He was born in 1904. "America means freedom and there's no expression of freedom quite so sincere as music".-Glenn Miller

4. Benny Goodman (1909-1986) He was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader, known as the "King of Swing". He was one of 12 children of poor Jewish Immigrants from Russia. When Benny was 10 his father enrolled him in music classes and clarinet lessons. He was the first Jazz bandleader to perform at Carnegie Hall. He later pursued classical clarinet music when Big Band lost popularity in the ‘40s. He is also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America. In the early 1930s, black and white jazz musicians could not play together in most clubs or concerts in Southern states, where Racial segregation was enforced. He hired such musicians as Teddy Wilson, and Gene Krupa. This integration in music happened ten years before Jackie Robinson became the first black American to enter Major League Baseball. Voted best jazz clarinetist. “Clarinade” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” are two famous songs. In 1957 he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. He died of a heart attack at age 77.

5. Louis Prima (1910-1978) Prima was American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the late 1920s, then leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, and a pop-rock band in the 1960s. Louis first learned to play the violin, He became interested in jazz when he heard black musicians, including Louis Armstrong. He learned to play on his brother’s old cornet. He dropped out of high school and worked diligently until he finally landed some successful gigs. One of his big breaks fell through because the owner of the jazz club thought he was a “negro” and refused to hire him. Notable works include “Twist all Night”, “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “Jump, Jive, N’ Wail.” • He enjoyed horseback riding and wearing expensive suits. • He played the voice of King Louie in Disney’scartoon version of “The Jungle Book.”

6. Brian Setzer(born 1959) An American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He first found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly revival group Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with his Swing revival band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra. The Brian Setzer Orchestra has covered such famous big band standards as “Gettin’ in the Mood”, “Jump, Jive, and Wail”, and “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Aint’ Got that Swing”. Setzer released one album of entirely original numbers, but the majority of his recordings are covers of famous big band songs.

7. Jazz Vocalists

8. Female Jazz Vocalists Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) Often referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz,“ Recorded 70+ albums, won 13 Grammy s, & was awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002) Vocalist and actress. Famous for the movie “White Christmas” and the song “Mambo Italiano.” Aunt of George Clooney. \ Etta James (1938 – 2012) Started voice lessons at 5.Her style spanned a variety of genres including blues, R&B, soul, rock, jazz and gospel. Won six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Famous for the song “At Last”. Portrayed by Beyoncé in the movie “Cadillac Records.”

9. Male Jazz Vocalists Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) Jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans. His artistry and personality Gave him socially acceptable access to the upper society that were highly restricted for a black man. His improvisation and scatting influenced the future of jazz. Bing Crosby (1903-1977) One of the best-selling artists of the 20th century. Had a company that built early recording equipment. His biggest hit was “White Christmas. Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) Singer and film actor. Began his career in the swing era. Won 11 Grammys. Allegedly had ties to the Mafia. Known for “The Way You Look Tonight”, and “Chicago”. Nat King Cole (1919-1965) Jazz pianist. Founder of the King Cole Trio. One of the first blacks to host a television variety show. He fought racism all his life, though without being aggressive.