intransitive. colloquial. U.S. slang. To play jazz or similar (esp. improvised) music excitingly or uninhibitedly; to ‘swing’. Chiefly imperative…

intransitive. Jazz slang. To play with a firm or easily flowing rhythm. Also transitive: to keep to the flow of (a rhythm).

Music. intransitive. To play jazz music with swing (see swing, n.2 10b). Also, to swing it.

In phrases with up and indefinite object, descriptive of unrestrained excitement; esp. in Jazz. U.S. slang.

Originally U.S. Jazz. to play (it) straight: to play without improvisation, but according to a score or set orchestration. Cf. sense A. 9d.

intransitive. To play jazz or similar music with ‘swing’; to be ‘in the groove’ (see groove, n. 4b); to dance or listen to such music with great…

intransitive. In jazz and popular music: to play a riff or riffs (riff, n.5 1).

To play music, esp. jazz, excitingly or enthusiastically; also with out. slang (originally U.S.).

Of jazz or similar music: to have a strong or exciting rhythm; to ‘swing’; so of a place, esp. a place of entertainment: to pulsate with activity; to…

to beat it out: in Jazz (see quots.). Cf. beat, n.1 4.

With emphasis on the gait or pace. intransitive. Jazz. To play a walking bass or walking beat. See walking bass n. walking beat n. at walking, adj.…

slang (originally U.S.). Cf. to cook with gas at phrases 3. intransitive. Of a band, musician, or singer: to perform with excitement…

intransitive. colloquial. Of music, a band, etc.: to be exciting, energetic, or dynamic.

transferred. Of a jazz musician: to play very well, with great feeling, etc. (U.S. slang). Also U.S. colloquial, to perform well.

Jazz. To play without restraint, esp. in a solo. Const. out.