The appeal of large ensembles! Recommended masterpieces and popular songs of big bands
As the name suggests, a big band is a band made up of a large ensemble.
While swing jazz from before the modern jazz era is especially well-known, big bands are also a popular format in pop music.
Many will remember that in Showa-era music programs, dedicated big bands performed as backing ensembles for singers.
This time, we’ve gathered a selection of masterpieces born from big band performances.
Many of these pieces are used in commercials and film scores, making this a collection that even beginners can enjoy!
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The appeal of large ensembles! Recommended and popular big band masterpieces (41–50)
Opus OneSWR Big Band
Opus One is a Big Band/Swing-style track included on the jazz compilation “Let’s Swing Edition Archive der SWR Big Band,” released by CK Records in 2005.
The SWR Big Band is a German big band with over 60 years of history, affiliated with Südwestrundfunk (SWR) and known for releases in DigiPak format.
BakeBeats & Pieces Big Band
Nocturne in E-flat major (Opus 9 No.
2) is a track included on the jazz album “Chopin Meets The Blues,” released by Criss Cross Jazz in 2010.
Peter Beets is a jazz pianist from The Hague, Netherlands.
The Northern European Jazz Orchestra is a Netherlands-based big band founded in 2011.
The conductor, Kurt Weiss, is an American trumpeter who has lived in the Netherlands since 2001; while touring throughout Europe, he also serves as the conductor of the West Coast Big Band.
The Groove MerchantThad Jones
Thad Jones was born into a musical family—his older brother was the pianist Hank Jones and his younger brother was Elvin Jones, the legendary drummer of the John Coltrane Quartet—and he himself was a superb trumpeter and big band leader.
Gold In The CaneJoe Sample & NDR Bigband
“Gold in the cane” is a Big Band-style track from the 2012 jazz album “Children Of The Sun.” Joe Sample, born in 1939, was a jazz fusion pianist from Houston, Texas, USA.
The NDR Bigband is a radio dance orchestra founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 1945 under Willi Steiner.
CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITEPeresu Puraado gakudan
This celebrated piece, blending the light, ringing sound of the trumpet with the passionate rhythms of mambo, captivated audiences worldwide immediately upon its 1955 release, spending 10 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard charts.
It was also featured in a scene from the 1955 film Underwater! where Jane Russell dances, bringing sudden attention to the Pérez Prado Orchestra.
Their sound is built on a powerful brass section and sophisticated arrangements.
This work is perfect for energizing glamorous parties and dance floors.
In addition, the beautiful melodies by trumpeter Billy Regis offer a soothing sense of comfort.
RangeGiorgio Gaslini Big Band
“Rangte” is a track included on the jazz LP “Giorgio Azzolini Big Band,” released in 1971.
Giorgio Gaslini, born in 1929 in Milan, Italy, was a jazz pianist, composer, and conductor.
Love BeamsMark Taylor & The Bigband
Love Beams is a big band–style piece from the 2015 jazz album “To The Edge.” Mark Taylor, born in 1961, is a horn player and composer.
He also served as principal conductor of a U.S.
military band for 24 years.
The Bigband is a Midwest band from Chicago.