So...the big band format has been around since the late 20's...the early 30's. at first, it was all about dancing; and then after the war, those big bands that stuck around or rose from the ashes began to think of big bands like a classical orchestra (think Stan Kenton) - it was more about the listening than the dancing - just as all post war Jazz was and has been. Despite the advances of technology making musicians often fairly redundant and the championing of one man and his gadgets, the big band format is still with us. Personally, I prefer to think of it as a modern ensemble; as the big band description may have unfortunate connotations for some. Below I have provided an interesting video highlighting ten decent big bands of the modern era...
Modern big bands
