When you start swing dancing, you soon realise that not every jazz song is suitable for dancing - and not every dance style suits every song. Some pieces invite you to do some fast footwork, others call for elegant restraint. Here is a selection of iconic jazz tracks that have been popular in the swing dance scene for decades - be it for Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston or solo jazz.
1st Count Basie - One O'Clock Jump
A prime example of swing with drive and clarity. The rhythm rolls, the tempo is danceable - ideal for Lindy Hop at an intermediate level. Basie creates space for the dancers without the song losing any of its tension.
2nd Duke Ellington - C Jam Blues
Slower, but no less groovy. The simple structure makes it perfect for improvisation - both in solo jazz and in couple dancing. A classic for musical "listening" on the dance floor.
3. Ella Fitzgerald - A-Tisket A-Tasket
Playful, light and vocally precise. Ella Fitzgerald provides the perfect soundtrack for a relaxed Charleston or cosy Lindy Hop in a social dance setting.
4. Lionel Hampton - Flying Home
Fast, energetic, driving - Flying Home is not for the faint-hearted. Perfect for advanced dancers or for shag dancers who love speed. Played live, this track is a crowd-puller.
5th Artie Shaw - Begin the Beguine
Elegant big band sound with a pinch of melancholy. Anyone who dances Balboa will find plenty of musical texture for subtle footwork here. Also suitable for slower Lindy Hop.
6 Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher
Charm, humour and swing in its purest form. This song is not only musically exciting, but also historically relevant. Calloway's stage presence is legendary - and you can feel it in every bar.
7th Chick Webb - Lindy Hopper's Delight
It's not just the name that makes this song a must for Lindy dancers. Chick Webb, drummer and bandleader of the Savoy Ballroom, delivers a rhythmic firework display that comes straight from the cradle of Lindy Hop.
What should you look out for in swing music for dancing?
- SpeedMany pieces are between 110-180 BPM. Balboa and Shag often faster, Charleston more variable.
- Clear pulseA good danceable rhythm section is essential.
- StructureRecognisable phrases, breaks or call-and-response help with improvisation.
Iconic jazz tracks for swing dancers are more than just beautiful music - they are tools, sources of inspiration and communication spaces. If you want to dance, you have to learn to listen. These classics offer the perfect introduction.
