Talkin' about swing

[wanderer]

Recently I was surfing in a Portuguese jazz website and there was an article trying to define what swing is all about. Being a word so many times associated with the jazz world I think it would be interesting to see what all of you think about it.

What about you? What how would you define swing? What has and hasn't swing?

Don't worry, be happy.

[Rémi]

Definition of swing:
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits - 1978 - Song #6, paragraph 3.

Sorry, I'm tired

[Bud]

Good question...

One of the reasons I became such a big fan of Diana was because she swings so well in everything she does, fast or slow. I can't really define swing - its something you feel in the rhythm and timing, and it distinguishes real jazz musicians from pretenders.

Diana is the real deal because she swings, and the so-called jazz purists who haven't given her enough credence have severely underrated her swinging skills.

[wanderer]

I can't really define swing - its something you feel in the rhythm and timing, and it distinguishes real jazz musicians from pretenders.

I'm completely with you on this...

When I have the time, I'll post some examples of what swings and doesn't according to the website that inspired me to post this topic.

[wanderer]

Some examples I found (not only referring to the music but several other activities as drinking or loving):

- Every jazz musician has swing, otherwise he/she isn't a jazz musician even if he/she says he/she is
- All the "blues" have swing
- Soft drinks don't have swing
- Utopia doesn't have swing
- Love doesn't have swing
- Passion has lots of swing
- Defining "with swing" or "without swing" doesn't have swing (so I'm not swinging right now )
- Silence has swing

These are the opinions of several people. If you know any Portuguese you can visit the website in here. Beware some of the things there are referring to the Portuguese reality.

Enjoy yourself.