All that Jazz: Why We Love Jazz Music at Swallowfields

It’s no secret that here at Swallowfields, we adore jazz music. It fits our 1920s safari vibe perfectly, and it would have been played across the savannahs during the golden age of African safaris. The tone of jazz music compliments our decadent and opulent lodges and it’s the ideal music to welcome our guests, helping them relax instantly. Keep reading to discover more about jazz’s fascinating history and why we love this genre of music so much.

Image Credit: Lansing Source Journal



The History of Jazz Music

Want to discover more about the fascinating history of jazz music? Well, the artform first came about in New Orleans in the early 1900s, when musicians like Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, and Louis Armstrong took influence from ragtime, blues, and second-line horn sections in parades. Even New Orleans funeral music inspired early jazz musicians! Southern jazz from New Orleans eventually became known as Dixieland jazz.

In the 1920s and 1930s, other early jazz capitals started to emerge, including Chicago and Kansas City. It was New York City that really established jazz as a touchstone of American culture, where big bands performed for nightclub audiences, led by bandleaders such as Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson.

As the 1940s progressed, New York musicians like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, and Art Blakey developed a jazz subgenre called bebop, which involved lightning-fast playing, prolific soloing over chord changes, and routine syncopation. Other musicians like Ornette Coleman and the Modern Jazz Quartet challenged the harmonic rules of traditional jazz and another sub-genre called free jazz emerged, largely disposing of the song form that guided most jazz standards.

During the 1960s, post-bebop slowed down the tempo and added harmonic sophistication. As the decade moved on, more and more musicians emerged with other sub-genres of jazz, including cool jazz from virtuoso saxophonists John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, and fusion (a combination of jazz, funk, and rock) from Herbie Hancock and Joe Zawinul. Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell found inspiration in folk music and added that genre to their jazz performances.

Jazz is an ever-changing music scene which continues to evolve and influence artists today.


How Does Jazz Music Help You to Relax?

Jazz music has been known to have an incredible healing power, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving mental wellness. Listening to jazz music can help people relax and unwind, as it triggers alpha brainwaves which eases nervousness and fosters a peaceful mind. This means it’s particularly effective at reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Listening to jazz music can also improve focus, concentration, memory, and creativity by decreasing stress levels and increasing patterns of language, allowing the human brain to reach its full potential. It’s a great tool for allowing people to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ideas.

Jazz truly does have the power to heal, inspire, and promote a sense of relaxation and calm – exactly what you need when staying at Swallowfields!


The Perfect Way to Listen to Jazz

During your stay at Swallowfields, you can transport yourself back to the glamorous decade of the 1920s. Our safari tents are beautifully decorated with a safari chic vibe, evoking the decadent opulence of the golden age of jazz. You’ll find your very own drinks cabinet, with sparkling crystal glassware and classic cocktail shakers. Pour yourself a delicious cocktail (shaken, not stirred), then kick back and relax to your favourite toe tapping jazz classics.

We also have our very own, carefully curated jazz playlist which can be played by guests throughout your stay at Swallowfields.


Visit Upton Upon Severn’s Jazz Festival

A fantastic weekend of events for all jazz lovers to get involved in is the annual Upton Upon Severn Jazz Festival, taking place from Friday 28th – Sunday 30th June 2024. With as many as 30 bands playing across three days in nine different venues, you’ll find all sorts of jazz performances including traditional New Orleans, ragtime, Dixieland, swing, gypsy jazz, European revivalism, and many more!

Bursting full of colour, incredible sound, and endless fun, Upton Upon Severn’s Jazz Festival is an event jazz lovers can’t afford to miss. Tickets for 2024’s festivities are already on sale, so secure yours now as it’s sure to sell out!


Enjoy Jazzy Safari Stays at Swallowfields

Looking for the perfect accommodation that combines your love of jazz music and unforgettable experiences? Here at Swallowfields, our two gorgeous safari lodges are decked out to the nines with beautiful décor evoking the opulence of the 1920s jazz scene. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted with bright colours, velvet cushions, sumptuous bedding, and your very own drinks cabinet with art-deco inspired glassware. Why not pop on the jazz and enjoy a cocktail or two with your loved ones? You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back into the golden age of jazz! Relive the 1920s and book your sensational trip to Swallowfields today!

  • WELLBEING BREAKS

    Malvern has long been associated with healthy living, ever since it originated as a spa town. Many benefits have been linked to its spring water, as well as people. Charles Darwin, Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale are all said to have enjoyed its therapeutic qualities.

    It’s a legacy that’s lived right on to this day and one we wholeheartedly embrace. Not only are we fortunate to be nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, we live and breathe nature and its many benefits.

    There’s no pounding the treadmill at Swallowfields, just beautiful walks with wonderful vistas provided by nature. Come visit our retreat and enhance your wellbeing in the best way for you, from reading a book and taking naps in your own hammock to cooking on a campfire and enjoying spa treatments. Our world awaits you…

    Learn more
  • FAMILY BREAKS

    Nothing beats a great family break! When you laugh so much your sides hurt and enjoy yourself so much, you’re thinking, talking (and giggling) about it for many weeks to come.

    Swallowfields is geared up for families. You’ll find that all of our safari lodges, which easily sleep six people, are located on a child-friendly site. There are also plenty of things for the whole family to see and do too.

    Take a wander in our lovely wildflower meadow, toast marshmallows on the camp fire, explore the Malvern Hills and beyond and check out our Adventure Castle and Nature Hideout! You can even bring the dog too!

    Learn more
  • ACTIVITY BREAKS

    You just bring yourself, we’ll point you in the direction of the action! And there’s lots of it!

    Maybe you want to challenge yourself and try something different, like paddleboarding or kayaking, or perhaps you want to practice your favourite hobby, such as mountain biking or hiking?

    There are lots of things to do all around Swallowfields and, when you’re back at your lodge, there’s a relaxing hot tub waiting for you.

    Learn more
  • DOG FRIENDLY BREAKS

    We’re animal-lovers here at Swallowfields and we understand that your dog is a big part of your family, so why leave them behind?

    They’ll be right at home in our pet-friendly safari lodges. There’s oodles of room for them, their bed, bowls and fave toy! All that we ask, is that you keep them on a lead when walking around on-site and don’t leave them unattended.

    For just £25 per dog, per stay*, you can make sure the entire family get their hands (and paws) on our wonderful glamping experience! Oh, and don’t forget to ask us about our complimentary doggie essentials pack too!

    * Maximum of two dogs per lodge

    Learn more