Swing music isn't just a relic from your grandparents' dance hall. While the classic sounds of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington will forever have their place in music history, a new generation of artists is taking the infectious rhythms and joyful energy of swing and propelling it into the 21st century. Forget the museum-piece reproductions; these modern innovators are blending brass sections with electronic beats, hip-hop flows, and global rhythms to create something entirely fresh.
Here are five groundbreaking artists who are tearing up the rulebook and revolutionizing what swing music can be.
1. The Electro-Swing Collective
If any single movement has been responsible for swing's resurgence in popular culture, it's electro-swing. At the forefront of this global phenomenon is The Electro-Swing Collective, a rotating lineup of producers, DJs, and live instrumentalists who have perfected the art of blending vintage samples with thumping house beats.
Their breakout track, "Charleston 2.0," seamlessly mixes a scratchy 1920s vocal sample with a deep bass drop that feels right at home in a Berlin nightclub. But what sets them apart is their commitment to live performance; their shows feature a full horn section and a tap dancer whose feet become part of the percussion section, wired to a drum machine. They're not just making music for history buffs; they're creating the soundtrack for the coolest retro-future party you've ever attended.
Start With:
- "Brass & Bass" - A perfect introduction to their signature sound.
- "Gramophone Ghost" (feat. Lola Vale) - Showcases their skill with vocal samples.
2. Tasha & The Mystics
Where most modern swing acts look to Europe for inspiration, Tasha & The Mystics dive deep into the Afro-Cuban roots that were always simmering beneath the surface of big band music. Led by virtuoso percussionist and vocalist Tasha Garcia, the band incorporates salsa, son, and Latin jazz rhythms into a swinging big band framework.
Their sound is a fiery, passionate, and politically charged celebration of diaspora culture. Tasha's powerful lyrics, sung in both English and Spanish, address themes of identity, migration, and joy as resistance. The band's arrangements are complex and explosive, featuring dizzying trumpet solos over polyrhythmic percussion that will get even the most reluctant listener on their feet. They aren't just playing swing; they're reclaiming and recontextualizing it.
Start With:
- "Calle Sol" - An infectious, dance-floor-filling anthem.
- "Our Rhythm" - A powerful statement of purpose with a stunning horn arrangement.
3. Trixie "Triggers" Jones
Who said swing and hip-hop can't coexist? Trixie "Triggers" Jones, a lightning-fast rapper with a flair for vintage fashion, has built a dedicated following by laying slick, witty rhymes over live-band swing tracks. Her backing trio—upright bass, drums, and a killer baritone sax—creates grooves that are pure 1940s jump blues, but her flow is 100% modern.
Her lyrics are a unique blend of old-school slang and contemporary references, telling stories of late-night diners, complicated love affairs, and rocking a crowd without a autotune. She's the missing link between Cab Calloway and Cardi B, proving that the swagger and storytelling at the heart of both genres are fundamentally the same. Her live shows are legendary for starting as a concert and ending as an all-out dance party.
Start With:
- "Heel, Click, Repeat" - Her breakout hit that defines her style.
- "Lowkey, Lofi, High Life" - A smoother track that showcases her lyrical dexterity.
4. The Tuxedo Junction Reboot
The Tuxedo Junction Reboot is the brainchild of producer and arranger Ben "Doc" Williams. Their project is perhaps the most conceptually fascinating on this list: they take iconic, public-domain big band recordings and "remix" them by digitally isolating individual parts and rebuilding the songs from the ground up.
Using the original rhythm section tracks from a 1938 Count Basie recording, they might layer on a synth pad, add a more complex harmonic structure from a 1950s Miles Davis piece, and write a new, modern melody for the sax section. The result is hauntingly familiar yet utterly new—a musical conversation across decades. It's a respectful yet bold reimagining that highlights the timelessness of these classic rhythms and the incredible skill of the original musicians.
Start With:
- "One O'Clock Jump (2025 Rework)" - A masterclass in respectful innovation.
- "Take the A-Train (Destination Unknown)" - A darker, more atmospheric take on the classic.
5. Tōku
Japanese band Tōku is pushing swing into truly global territory. Their sound is an mesmerizing fusion of traditional American swing with Japanese folk melodies (Min'yō) and instrumentation. You'll hear the driving rhythm of an upright bass and the wail of a clarinet suddenly give way to the haunting pluck of a shamisen or the breathy flutter of a shakuhachi flute.
Their music is cinematic and evocative, telling stories of modern Tokyo nightlife and ancient mountain villages with equal authenticity. The fusion is never forced; it feels like a natural evolution, as if this cultural exchange had been happening for a hundred years. Tōku demonstrates that swing isn't just an American art form—it's a universal language of rhythm and emotion that can absorb and beautify influences from anywhere in the world.
Start With:
- "Neon Lantern" - The perfect blend of big band brass and traditional Japanese melody.
- "Rising Sun Stomp" - An upbeat, infectious track that will get you moving.
The spirit of swing—improvisation, rhythm, and pure, unadulterated joy—is alive and well. It's no longer confined to a single era or sound. These five artists, along with many others, are exploring its boundaries, proving that this classic genre has endless possibilities. So put on your dancing shoes, open your mind, and listen to the future of swing.