Drummin' Men: The Heartbeat of Jazz The Swing Years: The Heartbeat of Jazz The Swing Years

In the 1930s swing music was everywhere—on radio, recordings, and in the great ballrooms, hotels, theatres, and clubs. Perhaps at no other time were drummers more central to the sound and spirit of jazz. Benny Goodman showcased Gene Krupa. Jimmy Dorsey featured Ray McKinley. Artie Shaw helped make Buddy Rich a star while Count Basie riffed with the innovative Jo Jones. Drummers were at the core of this music; as Jo Jones said, "The drummer is the key—the heartbeat of jazz."
An oral history ...