Swingin' On A Star : The Big Bands

OSH 181 / Non Credit
Course taught in: English
Locations: TBA
Instructor: Brian Murphy

Course Description

This series will focus on the Big Bands with particular attention to the greatest and most popular ensembles from the 1920s to the present! A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing/Big Band Era (early 1930s until the late 1940s). A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. The music played by big bands is highly "arranged", or prepared in advance and notated on sheet music traditionally called 'charts'. Improvised solos may be played only when called for by the bandleader.

Week 1

Fletcher Henderson Orchestra (1922-34), Earl Hines Orchestra (1928-48), Jimmie Lunceford (1929-49)

Week 2

Duke Ellington (1923-1996), Chick Webb (1931-38), Count Basie (1935-present)

Week 3

Benny Goodman Orchestra (1929-1960s), Artie Shaw (1930s-1941)

Week 4

Harry James (1939-83), Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey (1930s thru 1950s), Glenn Miller (1938-present)

Week 5

Cab Calloway (1930-present), Billy Eckstine (1944-47), Dizzy Gillespie (1945-48)

Week 6

Les Brown (1938-2001), Woody Herman (1936-present with Frank Tiberi), Maynard Ferguson (1957-2006)

Brian Murphy is a pianist, composer, and arranger who has recorded and performed extensively in U.S., Canada, and around the world. Brian has collaborated with the great Tito Puente on a number of award-winning albums. He has conducted workshops on improvisation and has received grants. 

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