The Best Big Bands of All Time

At the onset of the Roaring '20s and even during the Great Depression, the best big bands had the ability to get people to relax, dance and have a good time even when the world around them was crumbling.

And big bands, were exactly that. Big! Featuring a number of horns, woodwinds and brass players, the bands often had anywhere from 12 to 25 members playing, but the best big band artists were generally soloists who had their time in the sun, and the bandleaders themselves.

These were the musicians closely associated with big bands and the best big band artists are still widely regarded and praised nearly a century after their initial run of success.

So, who are the best big bands? 

Well, for starters, any list of big band artists has to include the likes of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra. 

You'll find a plethora of shows starring any of these musicians on RUSC, just use my favorite search feature! (over on the top left of the screen).

These musicians and bandleaders were the biggest rock stars of their time. With their suave fashion and music being played on the radio for the first time, these big bands were the first to achieve success and notoriety on a wide scale.

Who would you consider to be the best Big Band musician ever? You can vote in our poll just over to the right of this page. 

Happy listening my friends,