what is a big band?

our definition is a band of nine to seventeen players and singers with a mixture of brass and reeds providing a dynamic stage sound covering a range of music from swing to modern pop standards

in the 1930's they were referred to as orchestras and the terminology changed in the 1940's to big bands or swing bands - today's music scene sees bands reminiscent of these eras plus big bands covering blues and rhythm and blues

jazz - swing - blues or the bigger events covers bands presenting a great night's music and including Europe's best known bands

the cost is commensurate with the size but the texture, impact and presence makes the use of a big band a "must have" for larger events

organising and running a big band is financially demanding - arrangements, road crew, equipment, uniforms and the management of the musicians and singers

the best known big band in the UK at the present time is Jools Holland's Big Band with Gilev, Rollacoaster, Supa Nova, Live all in the running with some up and coming bands also in the reckoning - and from Europe there is the superb music of Dov Amiel and Andre Cyriel

there are specialist swing bands and dance bands from the services but the bands above offer a commercial programme of covers played with impact of a big band with a full instrumental and vocal sound

swing music sounds at its best with a big band although smaller swing bands also do a good job - virtually all swing bands have a strong instrumental sound with the music of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman well in evidence

the popularity of Rat Pack style singers with big band swing music has brought the focus back to the forties era when swing music was in its heyday

jazz and blues big bands had great names in the big band era - Basie, Ellington, Herman and Kenton and big band jazz in the UK is very much the province of the concert stage at this time - jazz festivals, occasional media work and a few clubs are really the only outlet but devoted fans remain loyal to the music they love

the music of the twenties and thirties on both sides of the atlantic was dominated by dance orchestras and dixieland style jazz bands - the dance orchestras were seen at the top hotels and society venues and formed the basis of a period in time where sweet music, with comparatively few vocals, was the norm

some themed events recreate the Gatsby spirit and a society orchestra or big band would be perfect as the centre piece for an event based on that period

the big band of today's event scene offers a complete package of instrumental and vocal covers and with first class sound and lighting is an unbeatable combination if you are looking for maximum impact