BIG BAND

Big Band Era: 1935-1945

HISTORY

• Began in 1920s with little improv
• Late 1920s, improv moves in
• Gained popularity in 1930s
• Helped boost morale in WWII
• Downfall in era due to differing tastes

CHARACTERISTICS

• Swing
• Improv
• Instrumental
• Bandleaders
• Singers
• Varies by bandleader
• Arranged in advance

BENNY GOODMAN

• King of Swing
• Clarinetist
• NBC's Let's Dance
• Goodman band
• "Sing Sing Sing"

DUKE ELLINGTON

• Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
• "American Music
• Looked for unique styled instrumentalists
• Wrote music to show individuals in the band
• "Take the A Train"
• "Don't Mean a Thing"

GLENN MILLER

• Trombonist
• Glenn Miller Orchestra
• Enlisted in US Air Force
• "In the Mood"

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

• "Satchmo"
• Mainly individual jazz
• Moved into big band
• Started solo
• "Wonderful World"

BUDDY RICH

• Post War Era
• Billed as "World's Greatest Drummer"
• Different techniques
• No formal practice

COUNT BASIE

• William Jones "Count" Basie
• OKC Blue Devils
• Count Basie Orchestra
• "Fly Me to the Moon"

INFLUENCES

• Improv on orchestra instruments
• Swing style
• Dance style