Bandleader
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A bandleader is the director of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly used with a group that plays either a popular music dance band or a big band, such as one which plays swing music.
Most bandleaders also were performers with their own band. Some shifted The bandleader role was dependent on a variety of skills, not just musicianship. A bandleader needed to be a music director, promoter, and performer. In general the bands were named after their bandleaders. Some bands have continued operating under their bandleaders names long after the death of the original bandleader.
Noted United States bandleaders and their instruments include:
- Les Brown - saxophone
- Cab Calloway - singer
- Jimmy Dorsey - Saxophone
- Tommy Dorsey - Trombone
- Duke Ellington - Piano
- Benny Goodman - Clarinet
- Woody Herman - Clarinet
- Glenn Miller - Trombone
- Arthur Pryor - Trombone
- Artie Shaw - Clarinet
- John Philip Sousa - violin, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn
- Paul Whiteman - violin
British band leaders included:
Italian band leaders included: