Big Band

 

"Big Band refers to a jazz group of ten or more musicians, usually featuring at least three trumpets, two or more trombones, four or more saxophones, and a "rhythm section" of accompanists playing some combination of piano, guitar, bass, and drums (All Media Network, LLC)." Big Band jazz started in NOLA in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American war. African Americans used the old military band instruments to learn how to play and eventually formed bands. The music was not bound by European traditions of form and was loosely structured. Many of the bands arranged their music by rehearsing it by ear many times until the musicians all agreed on the sound. Fletcher Henderson whom formed his band in the early 1920's was the first to arrange music in the style "big band" (Thomas). It is said that Big Band sounds still hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans because of the positive and optimistic music. It was an inspiration to millions during the Great Depression, World War II and the post-war recession (Weinstock).

 

Works Cited

All Media Network, LLC. Big Band/Swing. n.d. 30 December 2015 <www.allmusic.com/subgenre/big-band-ma0000002461>.

Thomas, Bob. The Origins of Big Band Music: A History of Big Band Jazz. 1994. 9 December 2015 <www.redhotjazz.com/bigband.html>.

Weinstock, Len. The Big Band Era. 1991. 30 December 2015 <www.redhotjazz.com/bigbandessay.html>.