American Big Band Music..

            Our big band music has its roots in the city of New Orleans, the birthplace of American Jazz.  American musicians, in their creative desire to give a fuller sound to those coming from the small combos “doing their thing” in the bistros of  New Orleans, began to write jazz-type passages for larger instrumental sections.  In the late 1920’s and early 30’s, the radio became the device which could bring big band music across the sweep of our land.  Thus, great artistic and financial energy went into creating excellent big bands and the marketing of them.  By 1939, the swing music coming from big bands was the pop music of American culture, particularly as loved and participated in passionately by the youth of that time.  In World War II swing music was an anthem to our unique American spirit, buoyant, optimistic, energetic, creative, driving and passionate.