Big Band Special
Encyclopedia
Big Band Special is a BBC Radio 2
series which launched in 1979 as a showcase for the BBC Big Band
in session and in concert. Big Band Special is a 30 minute programme broadcast on Monday nights at 9.30pm and has been presented by Clare Teal
since April 2006. Big Band Special is also available to listen to for a further 7 days following each broadcast via the BBC iPlayer
.
with guest vocalists and jazz soloists. From the 1990s onwards concerts from all parts of the UK and beyond became a regular part of Big Band Special. Presented by Sheila Tracy
from 1979 until 2001, other presenters have included Stacey Kent
(2001–2004) and Helen Mayhew
(2004–2006). Jazz Singer Ian Shaw
has also presented editions of the programme.
Big Band Special embraces a diverse mix of repertoire ranging from the 1930' s sounds of Duke Ellington
, Fletcher Henderson
and Jimmie Lunceford
, through the swing era to the modern sounds of leading jazz writers including Francy Boland
, Bob Brookmeyer
, John Clayton
, Bob Florence
, Steve Gray
, Bill Holman
, Jörg Achim Keller, Rob McConnell
and Gerry Mulligan
.
Conductors featured regularly on Big Band Special include American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham
, leading British arrangers Mark Nightingale
and Steve Sidwell
, the BBC Big Band's baritone saxophonist Jay Craig and Jöerg Achim Keller.
Big Band Special celebrated its 30th anniversary on 6 October 2009.
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
series which launched in 1979 as a showcase for the BBC Big Band
BBC Big Band
The BBC Big Band, originally known as the BBC Radio Big Band is a British big band run under the auspices of the BBC. Widely regarded as the UK’s leading and most versatile jazz orchestra, the band broadcasts exclusivley on BBC Radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2's long running series Big Band Special...
in session and in concert. Big Band Special is a 30 minute programme broadcast on Monday nights at 9.30pm and has been presented by Clare Teal
Clare Teal
Clare Teal is an English jazz singer who has become famous not only for her singing, but also for having signed the biggest ever recording contract by a British jazz singer.-Biography:...
since April 2006. Big Band Special is also available to listen to for a further 7 days following each broadcast via the BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows....
.
History
Originally planned as a short run of 12 programmes, Big Band Special was the first jazz showcase on BBC Radio for the BBC Big Band. For most of its first decade, Big Band Special was made up of studio sessions featuring the BBC Big BandBBC Big Band
The BBC Big Band, originally known as the BBC Radio Big Band is a British big band run under the auspices of the BBC. Widely regarded as the UK’s leading and most versatile jazz orchestra, the band broadcasts exclusivley on BBC Radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2's long running series Big Band Special...
with guest vocalists and jazz soloists. From the 1990s onwards concerts from all parts of the UK and beyond became a regular part of Big Band Special. Presented by Sheila Tracy
Sheila Tracy
Sheila Tracy is a British musician, best known for her trombone playing, and as a broadcaster and journalist. She studied piano, violin and trombone at the Royal Academy of Music, then joined the Ivy Benson All Girls Band between 1956 and 1958...
from 1979 until 2001, other presenters have included Stacey Kent
Stacey Kent
Stacey Kent is a Grammy nominated American jazz singer.- Background :Kent attended Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. Her paternal grandfather was Russian. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York, and moved to England after her graduation...
(2001–2004) and Helen Mayhew
Helen Mayhew
Helen Mayhew is a British radio presenter and producer, specialising in jazz music. Mayhew started with the BBC, and then moved to 102.2 Jazz FM at its launch, then rejoined the BBC where she presented her own weekly show, and finally returned to the relaunched Jazz FM...
(2004–2006). Jazz Singer Ian Shaw
Ian Shaw (singer)
Ian Shaw is a Welsh jazz singer, record producer, and former stand up comedian.Shaw was born at St. Asaph, Wales, and his career in performance began on the Alternative Cabaret Circuit, alongside such performers as Julian Clary, Rory Bremner and Jo Brand.In his music career he has recorded and...
has also presented editions of the programme.
Big Band Special embraces a diverse mix of repertoire ranging from the 1930' s sounds of Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Fletcher Henderson
Fletcher Henderson
James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. His was one of the most prolific black orchestras and his influence was vast...
and Jimmie Lunceford
Jimmie Lunceford
James Melvin "Jimmie" Lunceford was an American jazz alto saxophonist and bandleader in the swing era.-Biography:...
, through the swing era to the modern sounds of leading jazz writers including Francy Boland
Francy Boland
François Boland was a classically trained Belgian jazz composer and pianist.He first gained notice in 1949 and worked with Belgian jazz greats like Bobby Jaspar, and in 1955 he joined Chet Baker's quintet...
, Bob Brookmeyer
Bob Brookmeyer
Robert Brookmeyer is an American jazz valve trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer.-Biography:Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of Gerry Mulligan's quartet from 1954 to 1957. He later worked with Jimmy Giuffre...
, John Clayton
John Clayton (bassist)
John Travis Clayton Jr. is an American jazz and classical double bassist.-Music:John Travis Clayton Jr. began seriously undertaking the study of double bass at age 16, studying with bass legend Ray Brown...
, Bob Florence
Bob Florence
Bob Florence was an American jazz arranger and pianist. He began taking piano lessons at five and initially intended to be a concert pianist. However, on taking classes with Bob McDonald he changed direction toward jazz.At the beginning of his career Florence worked as a pianist and arranger with...
, Steve Gray
Steve Gray (musician)
Steve Gray was a pianist, composer, and arranger.Gray was born in Middlesbrough, England. At ten, he began teaching himself to play the piano. He joined the Middlesbrough Junior Orchestra, at first playing the bassoon, but later switching to the saxophone...
, Bill Holman
Bill Holman (musician)
Willis Leonard Holman , known also as Bill Holman, is an American composer/arranger, conductor, saxophonist, and songwriter working primarily in the jazz idiom....
, Jörg Achim Keller, Rob McConnell
Rob McConnell
Robert Murray Gordon "Rob" McConnell, was a Canadian jazz valve trombonist, composer, arranger, music educator, and recording artist.-Biography:...
and Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
.
Conductors featured regularly on Big Band Special include American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham
Jiggs Whigham
Jiggs Whigham is an American jazz trombonist living in Europe.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he began his professional career at age 17, joining the Glenn Miller/Ray Mckinley orchestra in 1961...
, leading British arrangers Mark Nightingale
Mark Nightingale
Mark Daryl Nightingale is an English jazz trombonist.Nightingale began on trombone at age nine, and played in the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra and the National Youth Jazz Orchestrain his teens. He attended Trinity College of Music from 1985-88...
and Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell (musician)
Steve Sidwell is a conductor, composer, and instrumentalist specialising in swing music. Renowned as an arranger and composer, Steve, has featured on numerous albums, television shows, advertising campaigns and films with his distinctive and innovative orchestrations and compositions.He is also a...
, the BBC Big Band's baritone saxophonist Jay Craig and Jöerg Achim Keller.
Big Band Special celebrated its 30th anniversary on 6 October 2009.