DANCE MUSIC.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 484, 1 October 1948, Page 5

DANCE MUSIC.

Sir,-While agreeing with W.I.C. that 2YC does give quite an amount of time to popular music I most strongly disagree that all one can get is "Swing, Swing, and more Swing." This seems to be the popular misconception of many listeners, who think that any popular tune of to-day must be swing. In actual fact there are only about four hours of pure swing played from Wellington stations each’ week. It is obvious that W.I.C. has also not studied the jazz record market in New Zealand or he would have known the following facts. Of discs by such orchestras as Stan Kenton, Earl Spencer, Boyd Raeburn, George Auld, Ray McKinley-none released. Ted Heath and Dizzy Gillespie, whom W.I.C. mentioned-two released. Gene Krupa, Les Brown, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman-a few older numbers released

in or before 1946. > -2

DISC

(Wellington).

Sir.-Your correspondent W.L.C., of Wellington, suggests that lovers of swing music should purchase a radiogtamophone and play records by King Cole and Dizzy Gillespie to their hearts’ content. This would be an excellent idea were it not that, out of the hundreds of records made by these artists, only three are released locally. Some of the greatest names in jazz at the moment are Stan Kenton, Boyd Raeburn, Buddy Rich and Ray McKinley, but not a single record by any of these artists is available in New Zealand. ‘There are hundreds of recording companies in America producing superb jazz discs but they will never be released in this country. The only way in which swing fans can hear these records is by courtesy of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service.

D. S.

HORLOCK

(Kaiwarra).

Sir,--May I point out to W.LC,, of Wellington, that the music to which he refers, i.e., "modern dance music,’ and the programmes he names, are definitely not swing sessions. Rather than attempt to define this term correctly I suggest he listen to 2YA’s excellent Friday night session Rhythm on Record as a fine example of a swing session in the correct usage of the term. W.I.C. is one of the many who think that the terms "swing," "jazz’ are synonymous with the term "dance music." They are not, and much annoyance is caused amongst swing fans by this idea. Also he is wrong in supposing that it is possible to purchase a wide

and vatied collection of swing records in New Zealand. Many swing fans do in fact possess a récord library varying in number from 10 to 1000 discs, but nevertheless wish to hear the latest overseas recordings, and these may only be heard in the much maligned swing sessions. However, the majority of swing fans (using the term correctly) will agree with W.1.C. in applauding 2YC’s reduction in the time given to popular dance music. Perhaps it will seem strange to W.LC. but in my experience the most avid listener to the swing sessions is frequently also the person who listens with equal enjoyment to presentations of classical music. :

J.E.

McGECHIE

(Auckland).

(Abridged. Ed:)