ABSTRACT
In the first half of the 1930s, the Great Depression had a profound effect on life in America and on jazz. Twenty-five percent of the workforce was unemployed, with minorities being especially impacted.
As the popularity of ballroom dancing increased, so did the size and number of dance halls. At a time when sound reinforcement was still in its infancy, larger musical groups were needed to fill these larger halls with music.
Continuing the trend started in the 1920s by Louis Armstrong, most groups started playing in a more connected, less jerky fashion.
During the Swing Era, jazz reached the height of popularity and was the popular music of the day. The most commercially successful groups were white big bands. Benny Goodman is especially noted as the first white big band leader to integrate, featuring great black jazz artists such as vocalist Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, and Charlie Christian.
The solo work of Charlie Christian on amplified guitar and numerous other musicians indicated a new direction in improvisation yet to come.
