The Sound of Vintage Swing

Step into the smoky clubs and boisterous juke joints of the early 20th century with "The Sound of Vintage Swing," a playlist stacked with offbeat rhythms, sassy vocalists, and lively swing-era grooves. This collection brings together a vibrant mix of pre-war jazz, blues, and jump swing tracks that capture the raw edge and charm of the period, from the cheeky innuendo of Blue Lu Barker’s “Don’t You Feel My Leg” to the unmistakable cool of Lil Green’s “Why Don’t You Do Right.”

The playlist features standout performances from artists like Julia Lee, Harlem Hamfats, Frank “Half-Pint” Jaxon, and Trixie Smith, mixing moody instrumentals with rollicking, cabaret-style tunes full of risqué lyrics and laid-back swagger. Songs like “Reefer Man,” “Sweet Marihuana Brown,” and “Who Put The Benzedrine In Mrs. Murphy's Ovaltine?” point to the subversive humor and cultural commentary that ran through much of the swing era’s underground sound. It’s a dive into a lesser-heard side of American music history—full of groove, grit, and plenty of character.