Swing: The Guide to Modern Music
- Places of Publication: Detroit, MI & New York City, NY
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1938-1941
- Periodicity: Generally monthly
- Editors: Richard M. George & James B. Johnson
- Publishers: Cats Meow Publishing Co., Inc., Swing Publications, Inc.
- Type: Full Text
- Preceded by: The Cat's Meow
A monthly magazine devoted to swing music, jitterbugs, and swing dance, Swing: The Guide to Modern Music was published in Detroit, Michigan by James B. Johnson until August 1939 (vol. 2 no. 4), and thereafter in New York by Richard M. George from October 1939 (vol. 2 no. 5) until May 1941. Initially titled as The Cats Meow for a single issue, Swing changed titles for editorial clarity. Swing’s focus was on the bands, band leaders, musicians, and social scene surrounding the fad for swing music and big bands. Much of the content is publicity-oriented for fans.
Each issue contains articles on individual bands, band leaders, and swing styles, illustrated with copious photography. Many smaller news items, especially concerning the movement of musicians from one band to another, touring bands, and general gossip, proliferate throughout. The young Barry Ulanov regularly reviews bands; Geoffrey Marne reviews recordings. A regular column, “Swing’s last minute ticker service” provides short news items.
Swing ceased after declaring bankruptcy. Shortly after, the former Swing employee Barney B. Leventhal created a new periodical in October 1941 entitled Swing: Devoted to Modern Music, which he established as a supposed continuation of the original Swing. Following a lawsuit by Richard M. George (see Variety, 12 November 1941 p. 42) and the onset of the Second World War in the United States, this supposed continuation title also ceased.