”The Study of Big Bands”. There have been lots content written about big bands from the fabled Big Band Era. However, the big band has lived through some miraculous periods of time. Some people think the idea and genre of the big band are ”dead”. I totally disagree. In my area of the country there areover 30 big bands that are involved with schools, communities and that play professionally. Let’s talk about how it all affects the music world!
Episodes
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
In this installment of Building The Big band we discuss the food that feeds the big band. The Library. A big band needs music to play. There's a lot out there, but what fits your group? How do you choose charts? What do these grades mean? Tune in and hear some of my personal experiences with pick charts for my library and how I used that music to create the personalities of the different big bands I've run over the past 35 years.
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
This week we talk about the importance of building a comprehensive library on the BigBandology podcast. Without music, a band has nothing to play. With the wrong music, a band has an added challenge to deal with. With the right music a band can really shine.
We'll discuss how to create a big band library and how to select music for a band of every level that helps them sound great every time.
Coming up this Monday at 11 AM eastern!
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
The drummer provides the final piece of the foundation of Building The Big Band, Not only do they keep time, they have to work very closely with the bass player to create that groove/pocket, and they also need to let the horn players what's happening at all times.
Skatch Anderssen Orchestra drummer Darren Allen joins me to discuss why the drummer is a conductor as well as a timekeeper in a big band.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Check out the trailer for next weeks episode of the BigBandology podcast- Building the Big Band Part 3 - The Drummer)
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
From the bottom, to the top. This week we discuss the role of the lead trumpet and take time to talk with freelance lead trumpet player and Cleveland, Ohio native Scott McKee. He talks about where he started playing and what he heard to make him realize he wanted to be the guy to leads a big band brass section.
Also check the Skatch Anderssen Orchestra replay tonight at 8:00pm Eastern as we feature Scott in various performances over the past few years. All coming up!
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
This week, the BigBandology podcast takes you from the bottom with bass, to the top of the band!
In part 2 of the series Building The Big Band, we discuss and give examples of lead trumpet players that helped in creating one of the most important chairs in the big band.
We also sat down with lead trumpet of the Skatch Anderssen Orchestra, Scott McKee to discuss the players that influenced him and his playing style along with the musical demands that come with being the person at the top leading the brass section.
Check it out Monday April 27th. The later, the SAO will feature Scott in their Monday replay that night at 8pm. You won't want to miss that!
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
This week starts a series of episodes called "Building The Big Band" and is going to focus on all the different pieces that make up the musical parts of a big band and the roles that each one plays to make the whole thing work..
When you want to build something you have to start with the foundation and in a big band, that's the bass player.
I am fortunate to have free lance professional bassist and educator Sherry Luchette join the BigBandology Podcast to give her insights on playing bass professionally in a big band setting. She talks about the approach, styles and attitude needed to move 16 other musicians from the bass chair.
Check it out!
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
This week starts a series of episodes talking about the different chairs and their functions in a big band. When you want to build something you have to start with the foundation and in a big band, that's the bass player.
Free Lance professional bassist and Educator Sherry Luchette joins the BigBandology Podcast to give her insights on playing bass in a big band setting. She talks about the approach, styles and attitude needed to know how to move 16 other musicians from the bass chair.
Tomorrow, Monday April 20th at 11:00am Eastern. Don't miss it!
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Episode 3 of the BigBandology Podcast is all about the beginnings a legendary big band.
In 1966 Thad Jones and Mel Lewis started one of my favorite bands of all time. Starting with a conversation in 1964, it took almost two years for the pieces to come together. The band continues to this day and its history has long outlasted the men that started it.
This week, you get a first hand listen into some of the events that led up to that very first performance on February 7, 1966.
You can also check out the actual performance on the following BigBandology Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XySNixDP3pkY6fXdw2XXh
Also, make sure to check out the Skatch Anderssen Orchestra tonight (4/13/20) at 8:00pm eastern for a replay of another great show on Facebook Live!
This week we go to the show that finished out the decade: 12/30/2019. The theme was SAO meets MOJO. The first set that night was all music that was regularly played by the MOJO Big Band which played at Brothers Lounge from 2008 to 2015. Check out the classic tunes that helped start the Monday Night big band institution in Cleveland!
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz orchestra gave modern big bands a new way to approach the music. This week, hear the story about how it all began and what led up to that very first performance in 1966.