BBC Big Band

RIP #quincyjones - trumpeter, bandleader, record label boss, producer, arranger and composer. This is the beautiful melody he composed for his 1962 album 'The Quintessence' hailed as 'the sound of the modern, progressive big band at its pinnacle...' soundcloud.com/user-420466324…

#RIP Dame Cleo Laine - a true jazz great and so much wonderful music and memories. Here she is back in 1995 with John, the band and a Duke Ellington classic...

Tonight! 8pm @BBCRadio2 from @Yourallypally During the interval of ‘VE Day 80-A Swinging Celebration’ concert, stay tuned for my chat to curator Kirsten Forrest about the pioneering days of television 1936-39 at Alexandra Palace before the war halted transmissions.#VEDay

Listen now on @bbcsounds #VEDay80 instagram.com/reel/DJW2XPgo3…

Available now on @BBCSounds - wonderful music and equally wonderful performances from everyone involved marking #VEDay bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

Experience the magic of BBC Big Band with Iain Mackenzie - a night of legendary jazz at Oxford Festival of the Arts! 🎷🎶🎙️ Sunday 13 July, New Theatre Oxford. Grab your tickets: tinyurl.com/2c4fcznn @M_Castelletti @TheOxfordMail @NewTheatreOx @oxinaboxnew

We had the opportunity to sit down with Emer McParland to chat about her career and the evening celebrating the incredible music of the iconic James Bond movie franchise at @GrandTheatreLS1, by the internationally acclaimed @BBCBigBand @jbaconcerts ⬇️ northernartsreview.co.uk/central-north/…

So many deserved tributes to #QuincyJones today mainly focussing on his work in the pop world. But not so much about big bands which dominated the first 20 years of his career. He wrote this for Sarah Vaughan in 1957 but performed here by @countbasieorch in 1965...

Mid week, here's what on today @westgatehall 2pm, Improv from Baron Munchausen Augustine Hall, 5.45pm Henry Gee: History of Life on Earth @BBCBigBand at Shirley Hall, Silver Surfers Comedy Showcase @TheGulbenkian & @RubberBiscuitUK at Westgate Hall @CanterburyBID @BoysAndMaughan

When BBC Radio 2 started overnight broadcasting that programme was 'You and the Night & the Music'. Jack's recording opened each show and Manuel & the Music of the Mountains closed. Here's JAG in 1980

Farewell to Jack Jones, hit maker and star singer for more than 6 decades - we'll miss him. Here he is closing his own BBC special with Leon Russell's A Song For You in 1973...

@BBCBigBand showcase the music of one of the greatest composers of the Twentieth Century - George Gershwin. Expect an evening of truly world-class music. 30 Oct 7.30pm at Shirley Hall: canterburyfestival.co.uk/whats-on/bbc-b… Sponsored by @BoysAndMaughan

As September comes to a close we mark the passing of another great who left us this month. Caterina Valente, who has died aged 93, was regarded as 'the singer's singer' with fans all over the world. Here she is nailing it yet again on Nana Mouskouri's show back in 1976...

Sad to hear of the passing at 95 of jazz master, the great Benny Golson - saxophonist, composer and a wonderful person too! Here he is in October 1964 directing an all-star British lineup on Jazz 625 with his classic, I Remember Clifford...

Celebrate the festive season with @bbcbigband, led by the legendary Barry Forgie and featuring the extraordinary vocal talents of Emer McParland as they deliver a swinging spectacle of festive favourites and reimagined classics. 🎫 - On sale now! bit.ly/3Tf18Bl

Three weeks ago today! A quick glimpse (© BBC ) performing with @BBCBigBand ….such an honour to commemorate #DDay80 A joy to play with great musicians, and share the stage with many more. Full Radio broadcast link here bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

A clip (© BBC) from last week’s BBC Radio 2 D Day Concert at @PortsmouthGhall including my performance with @BBCBigBand Full radio broadcast here bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… #DDay80 #BBC

Our terrific #DDay80 concert from @PortsmouthGhall with @BBCCO is now available via @BBCSounds bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… feat. @tonymomrelle @TheDDayDarlings @KateGarnerMusic @MikeMikelovatt - amazing music played by amazing people.... (Photos © BBC)

This time next week, part of a very special evening at The Guildhall, Portsmouth performing my tribute for #DDay80 backed by @BBCCO and @BBCBigBand portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event…

2 weeks to go until we mark #DDay @PortsmouthGhall - portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event… - more tickets now available with @BBCCO @KateGarnerMusic @tonymomrelle @stevebell62 @MikeMikelovatt @TheDDayDarlings