Big band

A big band is a type of musical ensemble that originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It typically consists of a large number of musicians playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, often with vocalists. The big band sound is characterized by its lively rhythms, intricate arrangements, and use of improvisation. The swing era of the 1930s and 1940s saw the rise of some of the most famous big bands, such as those led by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller. Today, big bands continue to perform and record, with many preserving the classic swing sound while others incorporate modern elements of jazz and other genres.

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5 articles related to Big band:

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  Big band

  Begin the Beguine: discovering origin and meaning

  During a Pacific cruise from Calabai to Fiji in 1935, the celebrated American composer and songwriter Cole Porter...
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  Great Depression cut short the extraordinary dance life of McKinney’s Cotton Pickers

  Since the very start of the prohibition during the Roaring Twenties, many Americans sought refuge in entertainment clubs...
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  Big band

  The Stride Piano founder left nightclubs in favor of symphonic music

  James P. Johnson has secured an honorable place in jazz music history as one of the most gifted piano players and...
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  Take 'A' train jazz standard originated from Duke Ellington's letter

  Take the 'A' Train is a Billy Strayhorn composition that became a signature tune of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and is...
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  SONGWRITER

  Ellington's classic song established swing as a jazz form

  It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Irving Mills,...