Putamayo Presents Swing Around the World (Music CD)

 Putumayo gets the whole world swinging with this collection of 12 jazzy numbers that will bring everybody to their feet, dancing and swaying to the infectious beats of artists from an interesting variety of countries and cultures. Proceeds from the sale of this be-bopping, show-stopping CD will benefit the non-profit National Dance Institute, an organization that brings innovative dance and music programs into New York City public schools and affiliated educational organizations around the country.

Swing music took the world by storm after its initial craze in the United States during the 1930s and 40s. Artists in places as far-flung as southern Africa, France and Hawaii blended swing and jazz into their own local music to create unique expressions. Jacob Edgar, Vice President of A&R at Putumayo World Music, had a lot of fun finding tracks for Swing Around the World. "Swing is such an accessible kind of music. Anyone can enjoy it. Like reggae, it’s been adopted and arranged by artists everywhere." Edgar notes the wide variety of interpretations on Swing Around the World, from the African inflections of the Cool Crooners of Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), the bayou flavors of the Jambalaya Cajun Band to the minor key gypsy style tribute to Django Reinhardt served up by the Children of the Revolution. "Swing was the rock and roll of its time, and it still engages people today. It’s just good-time, feel-good party music," says Edgar. Of course, American bands like the Squirrel Nut Zippers, the New Orleans Jazz Vipers and Duke Heitger and his Swing Band all embody the swing spirit and keep audiences jitterbugging and lindy-hopping all over the country.