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Best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture and more

The best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture and more

Clemency Burton-Hill

Janet Lee

Kath Pick

The Culture Show: Swinging into the Blitz: A Culture Show Special

Swinging into the Blitz: A Culture Show Special

16/02/2013

BBC Two - The Culture Show, Swinging into the Blitz: A Culture Show Special

Clemency Burton-Hill reveals the story of the black British swing musicians of the 1930s.

Clemency Burton-Hill reveals the untold story of the black British swing musicians of the 1930s, whose meteoric rise to fame was cut short at the height of the Blitz.

When a handful of musical immigrants from the Caribbean islands came to Britain in the 1920s and 30s, it was the beginning of both musical and political change. Leslie Thompson, an innovative musician and trumpeter, and Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson, a brilliant dancer and charismatic band leader, pooled their talents to start the first black British swing band. 

Clemency Burton-Hill reveals the untold story of the black British swing musicians of the 1930s, whose meteoric rise to fame on London's high society dance floors was cut short by unexpected tragedy at the height of the Blitz.

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