Standard big band instrumentation consists of five saxes, four trombones, four trumpets, piano, bass, drums, and sometimes guitar. The big band era lasted from the 1930s through the early 1940s and most of the repertoire consisted of dance music. This large ensemble played most of the jazz during this period. Big bands were very popular and the most famous and successful bandleaders were Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.
Genre Guide 2000 · Jazz/Blues › Jazz