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"live at the Quecumbar" was filmed, and a live video version of that song is available exclusively to subscribers.

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ABOUT THIS TRACK
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"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills. It is now accepted as a jazz standard, and jazz historian Gunther Schuller characterized it as "now legendary" and "a prophetic piece and a prophetic title". In 2008, Ellington's 1932 recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The music was composed and arranged by Ellington in August 1931 during intermissions at the Lincoln Tavern in Chicago; the lyrics were contributed by Irving Mills. According to Ellington, the song's title was the credo of trumpeter Bubber Miley, who was dying of tuberculosis at the time; Miley died the year the song was released.

The song was first recorded by Ellington and his orchestra for Brunswick Records on February 2, 1932. Ivie Anderson sang the vocal and trombonist Joe Nanton and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges played the solos. In later performances, trumpeter Ray Nance often sang the vocal.

The song became famous, Ellington wrote, "as the expression of a sentiment which prevailed among jazz musicians at the time." It contains one of the earliest uses in popular music of the term "swing".

lyrics

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IT DON'T MEAN A THING (if it ain't got that swing) - LYRICS
Performed by Benoit Viellefon & His Hot Club
Music: Duke Ellington
Lyrics: Irving Mills.
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What good is melody?
What good is music?
If it ain't possessing something sweet
Now it ain't the melody
And it ain't the music
Theres something else that makes this tune complete, YES

It dont mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
Well it dont mean a thing all you got to do is sing
It makes no difference if its sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm ev-ry-thing you got YES
It dont mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
It dont mean a thing
It dont mean a thing if it ain't got that swing boy
(Ba ba doo dah doo)
I said it dont mean a thing and all you got to do is sing
(La la la)
Now it makes no difference if its sweet or hot
Just give that rhythm ev-ry-thing you got OHH
It dont mean a thing boy, if it ain't got-a-that-a-swinga
(Ba boo ba doo)
Show me

credits

from Live at the Quecumbar, released January 4, 2012
Benoit Viellefon - Guitar / Vocals
Dave Shulman - Clarinet / Tenor saxophone
Pete Horsfall - Trumpet
Geoff Threadgold - Doublebass
Pete Watson - Accordion
Pedro Velasco - lead guitar

Produced by Paul Clarck (Sonica studio London)
Recorded live on the 1st April of 2012.
recorded in 1 take on 2 condender microphones set in front of the stage.

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Benoit Viellefon London, UK

Benoit Viellefon is a French singer and guitarist established in the UK. Specialised in 1920's 1930's and 1940's music, Benoit is resident at Ronnie Scotts and other famous clubs. Benoit appears in many Hollywood films, TV and radio productions, festivals, and performed for VIP such as Madonna, the Queen, or the Kremlin. He often tours with his 3 bands: The Orchestra, the Hot Club, the trio. ... more

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