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What is big band?

A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section.

About big band

The terms jazz band, jazz ensemble, stage band, jazz orchestra, and dance band are also used to refer to this type of ensemble. This does not, however, mean that each one of these names is technically correct for naming a 'big band" specifically.

From Last.fm, where 8,187 listeners have tagged music as big band.

Artists to start with

  1. Duke Ellington
  2. Tommy Dorsey
  3. Mingus Big Band
  4. Kristofer Maddigan
  5. Glenn Miller
  6. Harry James
  7. Buddy Rich
  8. Buddy Rich Big Band
  9. Count Basie
  10. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

Albums to hear first

  • Greatest Hits by Glenn MillerGreatest HitsGlenn Miller
  • Begin The Beguine by Artie ShawBegin The BeguineArtie Shaw
  • Far East Suite by Duke EllingtonFar East SuiteDuke Ellington
  • Cuphead (Original Soundtrack) by Kristofer MaddiganCuphead (Original Soundtrack)Kristofer Maddigan
  • The Essential Glenn Miller by Glenn MillerThe Essential Glenn MillerGlenn Miller
  • The Ellington Suites by Duke EllingtonThe Ellington SuitesDuke Ellington
  • Tex Beneke and his Music in the Miller Mood by Tex BenekeTex Beneke and his Music in the Miller MoodTex Beneke
  • 100 Success De Glenn Miller by Glenn Miller100 Success De Glenn MillerGlenn Miller

Big Band songs

  1. WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! by RAYE
  2. Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller
  3. It's Been a Long, Long Time by Harry James
  4. In A Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington
  5. You Made Me Love You by Harry James
  6. In the Mood by Glenn Miller
  7. Birdland by Maynard Ferguson
  8. Tuxedo Junction by Glenn Miller
  9. Chattanooga Choo Choo by Glenn Miller
  10. Splanky by Count Basie

Big Band on Risocast

  • THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. by RAYE, Al GreenTHIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.RAYE, Al Green · 2026
  • You Put A Move On My Heart by Quincy Jones, TamiaYou Put A Move On My HeartQuincy Jones, Tamia · 1995

Neighbouring genres

In the other family. All genres

darkwavecoldwavechoralbig beatchiptunedigicorechansoncrunkdembowdarksynthcontemporary christiandjent

Questions

What is big band?
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. The terms jazz band, jazz ensemble, stage band, jazz orchestra, and dance band are also used to refer to this type of ensemble.
Who are the best-known big band artists?
By Last.fm listening: Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Mingus Big Band, Kristofer Maddigan, Glenn Miller and Harry James.
What genres are similar to big band?
On Risocast it sits with darkwave, coldwave, choral, big beat, chiptune and digicore.

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Updated 6 October 2026

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