BBC Big Band

The BBC Big Band, sometimes called the BBC Radio Big Band, is a British band run under the auspices of the BBC. It consists of professional musicians directed by Barry Forgie who has been conducting them on a regular basis since 1977 and Jiggs Whigham, who has been associated with the band for over twenty years.

The BBC Big Band is probably best known for its long running Monday night show, Big Band Special on BBC Radio 2, but also reaches worldwide audiences through the BBC World Service, satellite radio and the Internet [1]. It has been voted the best Big Band in the British Jazz Awards in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2007.

The band has played with stars such as Van Morrison, Michael Bublé, Tony Bennett, George Shearing, Michel Legrand, Cleo Laine, Lalo Schifrin, Dr. John and Ray Charles. The band regularly features on the UK festival circuit, and concert tours with major artists have taken the band all over the world in addition to its regular concert recordings throughout the UK for Radio 2.

The BBC Big Band is an Associate Ensemble at Town Hall Birmingham.

Members

Trumpets

• Derek Watkins
• Mike Lovatt
• Martin Shaw
• Brian Rankine

Trombones

• Gordon Campbell
• Andy Wood
• Ashley Horton
• John Higginbotham

Saxophones

• Howard McGill
• Sammy Mayne
• Paul Booth
• Martin Williams
• Jay Craig

Guitar

• Phil Robson

Bass

• Jeremy Brown

Drums

• Tom Gordon

Percussion

• Anthony Kerr

On occasions Also conducted by Bandleader Jay Craig

External links

• BBC Radio 2 Big Band Special
• BBC Big Band at Town Hall, Birmingham