Music of a wonderful world

The appeal of large ensembles! Recommended masterpieces and popular songs of big bands

Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
With the motto “Learn the basics and enjoy putting them into practice,” I worked as a vocal coach specializing in Western music. As a teen, I questioned the idea that “Western music equals English,” and started listening to songs from around the world. Today, I devour music from over 80 countries and run a personal blog introducing tracks. I often listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. I’ll keep updating articles daily to find the one perfect song you’re looking for!
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

The appeal of large ensembles! Recommended and popular big band masterpieces (41–50)

Honeysuckle RoseFats Waller

Fats Waller – Honeysuckle Rose

Honeysuckle RoseFats Waller

Early jazz was highly entertainment-oriented industrial music performed in films, television shows, and nightclubs, with little difference from other commercial music.

Fats Waller was a famous composer and pianist of that era, and he also favored the use of big bands.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

One Night StandHarry James

Ultra – Harry James, 1952 (Live in Chicago)

One Night StandHarry James

Before the advent of the modern jazz era, big band swing was the mainstream of jazz.

One of the renowned orchestras was Harry James’s big band.

“One Night Stand” remains a classic big band piece that is still performed today.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Opus OneSWR Big Band

SWR Big Band – Opus One – altes E Werk, Baden Baden 2013

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The Groove MerchantThad Jones

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis – The Groove Merchant (1968)

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

From This Moment OnBohuslän Big Band

From This Moment On

From This Moment OnBohuslän Big Band

“From This Moment On” is a track included on the 2011 jazz album “Don’t Fence Me In,” performed in a big band style.

Bohuslän Big Band is a big band with roots in Swedish military bands, founded in 1994 as a modern jazz ensemble.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem