Swing Kids

[KriegsmarineFreak]

I watched the Disney movie, "Swing Kids" this morning, the movie about German youth who rebeled against the Hitler Youth and listened and danced to then, banned swing music. How accurate do you guys think the movie is compares to what Nazi Germany was really like? I am very curious and interested about the history of the Swing Kids in Germany. Are they any books or any good websites about their role in WW2? What do you guys know about them?

[Kyt]

You could have a look at this book examing Jazz in Nazi Germany:

Amazon.co.uk: Different Drummers: Jazz in the Culture of Nazi Germany: Books: Michael H. Kater

[screamingeagle]

why was swing music banned by the Nazis ?

[KriegsmarineFreak]

The Nazis considered jazz music offensive to their ideology because it was often performed by African Americans and Jewish musicians. One of the nicknames the Nazis used for the music was, "degenerate music." Another interested note that I've read is that not all jazz was banned in Nazi Germany during that time. Since it was so popular the Nazis allowed a milder, slower, "Germanized" version under strict rules. I was watching the edited version of the German film, "Downfall" and found a very ironic part in the movie concerning this issue. Eva Braun is shown hosting a party for all those in Hitler's bunker and his staff. She suggests they dance to swing music and they dance to it. Pretty ironic how while citizens in Germany couldn't dance to swing music and were told not too while their superiors did dance to it.

[KriegsmarineFreak]

Oh, by the way, Kyt, thanks for telling me about the book on amazon.com. It looks very interesting!