Jazz Band

Summary

A jazz band, also known as a big band, swing band, jazz orchestra, or swing orchestra, is a type of musical ensemble that primarily plays jazz music. It is usually composed of around 12 to 25 musicians. Jazz bands often feature improvisation and solo performances within their pieces. The music played by a jazz band can range from traditional swing and blues, to modern jazz styles. The ensemble is often led by a bandleader, who guides the musicians through the performance. The bandleader will often be a soloist or vocalist.

Instrumentation

A typical jazz band consists of saxophones, brass, and a rhythm section. Some jazz bands may also include additional instruments like vibraphone, clarinet, or flugelhorn, depending on the specific arrangement or style of music being performed.

On occasion, a strings may be incorporated, particularly for compositions from the swing era (1920s-1940s).

A standard jazz band typically consists of the following sections, arranged in score order:

1. SAXOPHONES

   • 2 Alto Saxophones

   • 2 Tenor Saxophones

   • 1 Baritone Saxophone

2. BRASS

   • 4-5 Trumpets

   • 3 Tenor Trombones

   • 1 Bass Trombone

3. RHYTHM SECTION

   • 1 Piano

   • 1-2 Guitars (optional)

   • Double Bass or Electric Bass

   • Drums

4. STRINGS (very rare)

   • 4-8 First Violins

   • 3-8 Second Violins

   • 2-6 Violas

   • 2-4 Cellos

   • 1-2 Contrabasses

Understanding Repertoire of Jazz Bands

The Big Band Era, also known as the Swing Era, originated in the 1920s and reached its peak in the 1930s and 1940s. This period saw the rise of large jazz ensembles that typically consisted of 12-25 musicians, divided into sections of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section.

The evolution of big bands can be traced back to the early 1920s, with pioneers like Paul Whiteman and Fletcher Henderson. However, it was in the 1930s that the Big Band sound truly took shape, characterized by its swinging rhythm, intricate arrangements, and powerful brass sections.

These bands not only popularized jazz music but also had a significant impact on American culture during the Great Depression and World War II. The Big Band Era began to decline in the late 1940s due to changing musical tastes and economic factors, but its influence continues to be felt in modern jazz and popular music.

Contemporary jazz bands maintain the rich traditions of the big band era while also exploring innovative approaches to ensemble performance. The repertoire of modern jazz bands encompasses a diverse range of styles, including:

STANDARDS

Jazz standards are a core part of the jazz repertoire, consisting of well-known songs that are widely performed and recorded. These pieces often come from the Great American Songbook, Broadway musicals, and classic jazz compositions. Standards provide a common ground for jazz musicians to improvise and interpret in their own unique styles.

SWING

Swing music is characterized by its strong rhythm section, syncopated rhythms, and emphasis on the off-beat. It was the dominant form of American popular music from the 1930s to the mid-1940s. Big bands play swing music that often features brass and woodwind sections playing intricate melodies and harmonies, along with a rhythm section that provides a steady, swinging groove.

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ

Contemporary jazz encompasses a wide range of styles and influences, often incorporating elements from modern popular music, world music, and avant-garde experiments. Jazz bands playing contemporary jazz explore new sounds and techniques, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz.

Contemporary music encompasses compositions generally written after 1945. This broad category includes diverse genres such as serial, experimental, minimalist, and electronic music, each representing unique approaches to musical composition and expression.

BEBOP

Bebop is a style of jazz that emerged in the 1940s and is known for its fast tempos, complex chord progressions, and virtuosic soloing. Jazz bands that play bebop focus on individual improvisation, with musicians often taking turns to solo over the chord changes.

BLUES

The blues is an essential element of jazz music, characterized by its use of the blues scale, call-and-response patterns, and expressive, often melancholic melodies. Jazz bands incorporate blues elements into their performances, with blues standards being a staple of the repertoire.

LATIN & WORLD

Latin jazz combines jazz improvisation with Latin American rhythms, such as those from Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music. This style often features percussion instruments like congas, bongos, and timbales, alongside the traditional jazz band setup. Latin jazz is known for its energetic and danceable grooves.

“World music” is a broad term that encompasses music originating outside the Western classical and popular music spheres. This broad category includes indigenous, folk, and contemporary styles from various cultures worldwide, offering rich and unique musical expressions.

BALLAD

Jazz ballads are slower, more lyrical pieces that allow musicians to showcase their expressive and melodic playing. These pieces often feature lush harmonies and provide a contrast to the faster, more rhythmic pieces in a jazz band's repertoire.

FUSION

Jazz fusion blends jazz with other genres, such as rock, funk, and R&B. This style often incorporates electric instruments like guitar, bass, and keyboards, along with traditional jazz instruments. Jazz fusion is known for its complex rhythms and extended improvisations.

10 Current Notable Jazz Bands

• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (New York, USA)

• Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (Los Angeles, USA)

• Maria Schneider Orchestra (Los Angeles, USA)

• Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (New York, USA)

• Mingus Big Band (New York, USA)

• Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Los Angeles, USA)

• WDR Big Band (Cologne, Germany)

• Darcy James Argue's Secret Society (Canada/ USA)

• Christian McBride Big Band (Philadelphia, USA)

• Brussels Jazz Orchestra (Brussels, Belgium)

Sources

• "The Jazz Band Director's Handbook" by Antonio J. García (Meredith Music)

• "Jazz Arranging and Performance Practice: A Guide for Small Ensembles" by Paul Rinzler (Scarecrow Press)

• "The Art of Jazz: A Visual History" by Alyn Shipton (Imagine Publishing)

• "The Oxford Companion to Jazz" edited by Bill Kirchner (Oxford University Press)

• "Jazz: A History" by Frank Tirro (Norton)

• "Jazz Styles: History and Analysis" by Mark C. Gridley (Pearson)

• "The Big Band Almanac" by Leo Walker (Da Capo Press)

• "The Jazz Book: From Ragtime to the 21st Century" by Joachim-Ernst Berendt (Lawrence Hill Books)