big-band jazz

References

big-band jazz

music

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Big band is a type of musical ensemble larger than a combo, typically featuring a mix of ensemble playing and solo improvisation characteristic of jazz and swing music. The swing era, from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s, saw the rise of these larger groups, often comprising 12 to 16 musicians organized into brass, woodwind, and rhythm sections. Skilled orchestrators wrote music for these bands, frequently employing a device called a riff—a simple, repeated musical phrase.12

Pioneering bandleaders like Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington were instrumental in developing these musical ideas, while Count Basie's band emphasized improvised solos and a relaxed ensemble sound. While the swing era brought jazz greater popularity and respectability, it also saw a commercial focus that often favored white bandleaders, despite the significant contributions of Black musicians and orchestras.23

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

wind instrument
In jazz
…the principal era of the big bands, the best known being those led by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. During the 1930s and ’40s, the wind sections of such groups grew from 6 (three reeds, two trumpets, and a trombone) to a standard of 13 (five reeds, four trumpets, and…
Read More
…the principal era of the big bands, the best known being those led by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. During the 1930s and ’40s, the wind sections of such groups grew from 6 (three reeds, two trumpets, and a trombone) to a standard of 13 (five reeds, four trumpets, and…
Read More

Gene Ammons
…of Billy Eckstine’s innovative bebop big band during 1944–47; he also played in Woody Herman’s big band (1949). He and versatile saxophonist Sonny Stitt then formed a touring band (1950–52) that featured their improvised “battles”; Ammons spent the rest of his career leading his own groups. At the height of…
Read More
…of Billy Eckstine’s innovative bebop big band during 1944–47; he also played in Woody Herman’s big band (1949). He and versatile saxophonist Sonny Stitt then formed a touring band (1950–52) that featured their improvised “battles”; Ammons spent the rest of his career leading his own groups. At the height of…
Read More

Count Basie
…of influential and widely heralded big bands.
Read More
…of influential and widely heralded big bands.
Read More

Benny Carter
…and arranger, a series of big bands, including those led by Charlie Johnson, Horace Henderson, Chick Webb, and Fletcher Henderson. Carter had learned the trumpet during his youth and began doubling on that instrument while leading McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (1931–32); he then led his own big band in 1932–34. He…
Read More
…and arranger, a series of big bands, including those led by Charlie Johnson, Horace Henderson, Chick Webb, and Fletcher Henderson. Carter had learned the trumpet during his youth and began doubling on that instrument while leading McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (1931–32); he then led his own big band in 1932–34. He…
Read More

Duke Ellington
One of the originators of big-band jazz, Ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of Western music.
Read More
One of the originators of big-band jazz, Ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of Western music.
Read More

Ferde Grofé
…in establishing the sound of big band dance music.
Read More
…in establishing the sound of big band dance music.
Read More

Fletcher Henderson
…would become the standard for big bands. The rhythm section was established as piano, bass, guitar, and drums; and the trumpet, trombone, and reed sections composed the front line. Arrangements were constructed in the call-and-response manner (e.g., the brass section “calls,” the reed section “responds”), and many tunes were based…
Read More
…would become the standard for big bands. The rhythm section was established as piano, bass, guitar, and drums; and the trumpet, trombone, and reed sections composed the front line. Arrangements were constructed in the call-and-response manner (e.g., the brass section “calls,” the reed section “responds”), and many tunes were based…
Read More

Buddy Rich
…before forming his own popular big band in the 1960s.
Read More
…before forming his own popular big band in the 1960s.
Read More

Chick Webb
…led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era. Its swing, precision, and popularity made it the standard of excellence to which other big bands aspired.
Read More
…led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era. Its swing, precision, and popularity made it the standard of excellence to which other big bands aspired.
Read More

Dicky Wells
…was noted, especially in the big band era, for his melodic creativity and expressive techniques.
Read More
…was noted, especially in the big band era, for his melodic creativity and expressive techniques.
Read More