Description of Big Band
Top Big Band Tracks
Big Band Key Albums
Filed Under
Big Band Key Artists
Sophisticated jazz
clarinetist whose sound and
band rivaled the harder
swinging Benny Goodman in
popularity. During the Swi...
From his early Kansas City
days to his Atomic period,
Basie led the hardest
swinging jazz band in
history. Basie and his ban...
Ellington revolutionized jazz
and pop music; he's on the
short list of the twentieth
century's greatest artists.
Ellington often wrote tun...
Not only did Henderson
lead the first great big band,
he also helped define the
sound of the Swing era.
Henderson's band includ...
Miller may not have had the
hottest Big Band around,
but his outfit was the most
popular of the Swing era.
Miller's era-defining Swing...
A great vibraphonist,
bandleader, and
entertainer, Hamp is one
jazz and popular music's
never-ending source of tr...
Q's done it all: big band
jazz, funked up
soundtracks, sweet soul,
record label honcho and
muse to Austin Powers.
A favorite of everyone from
Ellington to Sinatra, Norvo's
vibes took on swing, bop
and cool jazz with equal
aplomb.
Kenton's star has dimmed
since the 1940s and '50s, but
his grandious, challenging
Big Band jazz remains
exhilarating.
Jones' trumpet sizzled but
he became famous for his
hard-hitting jazz charts and
he went on to Hard Bop big
band fame.
The beloved Woody
Herman blew hot horns and
led a never ending series of
Thundering Herds. Stan
Getz became a star with H...