A Big Band is a type of musical ensemble, which typically consists of approximately 12 to 19 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Sometimes called dance bands or stage bands they play highly "arranged" orchestrated charts, prepared in advance and notated on sheet music. Improvised solos may be played only when called for by the arranger. This is in contrast to Jazz combos, which tend to be smaller and where most of the music is improvised.

Big Bands have continued in popularity from the 1920's through to the present day and while it was often the vocalist who got the name, not the backing band, many did receive their fair share of top hits - Count Bassie, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Bert Kaempfert, Billy Vaughn, and James Last to name but a few. Many styles have come and gone including Swing through to Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and avant-garde. The recent retro sounds of the Big Band styles have been reintroduced by artists such as Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé and the Buena Vista Social Club.

The New Zealand Big Band Scene
New Zealand has a strong Big Band scene. This grew during and immediately after the war years encouraged by the YA Radio stations where each centre broadcast the music of their own Big Band. They also broadcast many live dances where big band music was played. This declined through the 70’s but the Big Band tradition remained strong. The television series ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has brought Big Band music back to television and this has a very strong audience. 

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