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Swing music burst onto the scene in the ballrooms of Kansas City, Chicago and New York during the late 1920's and 1930's. Characterized by big bands, improvisation, and a bouncy rhythm, swing music can either be played in a tempo ranging from sentimental ballads to upbeat jazz. The accompanying dance craze that swept the country gave birth to heart stopping dances such as the "Jitterbug", "the Lindy Hop" and the "Western Swing". The recent resurgence of Bay Area swing bands has resulted in lively dance floors and the return of pin-striped zoot suits and hoop skirts.