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Jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch introduces the music of the swing era - the main form of pop music from around 1935 to 1946. Soweto is joined in the studio by Nick Jurd (double bass) and Jonathan Silk (drums) to perform their version of the Duke Ellington track ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it Ain’t Got That Swing)’.

This clip could be used to introduce the swing era and the big band sound. Learners could analyse and discuss the Soweto Kinch Trio version in comparison to a version played by a big band and also a vocal jazz version, noting the similarities and differences related to the concepts within. Learners could also try singing this, or a similar song, to experience scat singing.

Features the following mandatory concepts:

Styles: swing

Melody/harmony: improvisation, octave, repetition

Rhythm/tempo: syncopation

Texture/structure/form: walking bass

Timbre: saxophone, drum kit, cymbals, double bass, plucking