BIG BAND Sampler

Big band jazz from the best of the best. Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, Count base, Woody herman and more.

Beginning in the mid-1920s, big bands were the main popular music. These bands did little improvisation.

By the end of the 1920s, big bands added more improvised soloing.

Radio was a major factor in helping bandleaders like Benny Goodman to achieve fame.

Big bands appeared in movies in the 1930s through to the 1960s.

Swing music began in the 1920s and flourished through the early 1930s.

After 1935, big bands rose to prominence playing swing music.

There was a considerable range of styles among the hundreds of popular bands.

After WWII, bandleaders pioneered the performance of various styles with traditional big band instrumentation.

In the late 1990s, swing made a comeback in the US.

While jazz "combo" performances are largely improvised, big band music is primarily crafted in advance by an arranger.