 | An Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955) by Various Artists
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $6.22 This is one of the best compilations to introduce yourself to some of the lesser known big band leaders. Most lindy hop DJs have this collection.
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 | The Centennial Edition: Complete RCA Victor Recordings by Duke Ellington
Buy used from: $349.99 Contains all of Duke's recordings on RCA including those on the seminal 'Blanton-Webster Band' compilation.
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 | Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band by Duke Ellington
Buy new: $22.97 / Used from: $20.67 If you can't afford Centennial, you need to have this great collection.
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 | The Complete Decca Recordings by Count Basie
Buy new: $34.99 / Used from: $17.69 Basie's 1937-1939 recordings.
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 | America's #1 Band: The Columbia Years by Count Basie
Buy new: $27.97 / Used from: $27.99 Basie's primary 1938-1951 recordings. Lots of good stuff here including some awesome radio broadcasts not available anywhere else.
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 | The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings by Louis Armstrong
Buy used from: $16.99 Complete early Louis Armstrong recordings up to about 1929.
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 | Stomping at the Savoy by Chick Webb & His Orchestra
Buy new: $25.98 / Used from: $19.81 Lots of good Chick Webb and early Ella Fitzgerald.
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 | Self Portrait by Artie Shaw
Buy used from: $69.00 Contains all of Artie Shaw's significant music applicable to Lindy Hop dancing.
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 | Ella & Basie by Ella Fitzgerald
Buy used from: $10.90 Has some really good tunes with Ella backed by the Basie 'New Testament' band.
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 | Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Fletcher Henderson by Fletcher Henderson
Buy used from: $6.96 Good start for Fletcher Henderson classics.
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 | The Best of Sidney Bechet by Sidney Bechet
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $4.98 Has some really great early jazz music for dancing.
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 | April in Paris by Count Basie
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $4.75 A classic Basie album. I have to include this just because it's a jazz classic and it's really good for dancing, too. Has the original 'Shiny Stockings' recording.
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 | The Complete Atomic Basie by Count Basie
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.49 I have to include this one too, although it's probably too refined for Lindy Hop. Has the original 'Splanky' recording.
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 | Live in Swing City - Swingin' With Duke by Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis
Buy used from: $0.84 This is the best recording after 1980 of what a big band should sound like. Raucous, yet confident and bold.
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 | Count Basie at Newport by Count Basie
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $8.99 One of Basie's best live recordings. Lots of good stuff to dance to on this album.
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 | The Very Best of Fats Waller by Fats Waller
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $6.99 Can't forget Fats Waller; mentor to Count Basie.
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 | The Genius of the Electric Guitar by Charlie Christian
Buy used from: $48.61 Has some good recordings with Benny Goodman. Look for the orange Box Set with the same name as well.
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 | Walk 'em: Decca Sessions by Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $12.07 Good slower Lindy Hop tunes on this album.
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 | 1938-1940 by Erskine Hawkins
Buy used from: $14.99 Must have 'Tuxedo Junction', 'Dolomite', and 'Gabriel Meets The Duke'.
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 | Complete Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Concert 1938 by Benny Goodman
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $11.86 This is here for historical value.
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 | B.G. in Hi-Fi by Benny Goodman
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.99 Lots of popular tunes here although they're more commercially oriented. You might want to check out some of the small-combo albums too with Lionel Hampton, Charlie Christian, and Gene Krupa.
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 | Apollo Jump by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $13.49 Here for completeness.
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 | Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey - Ultimate Collection by Tommy Dorsey
Buy used from: $49.99 Complete Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey recordings appropriate for Lindy Hopping.
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 | Swingin' the Century by Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra
Buy used from: $29.95 Another post 1980 album that captures the essence of the big band sound. Nearly all the songs are great for Lindy Hopping with two slower ones for good variety. Also look for Bill Elliott's 'Live at the Hollywood Palladium' album; an even better live representation of the classic big band.
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 | Swingsation by Louis Jordan
Buy used from: $2.95 For the ECS requests...
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