Big band theory - The rise of jazz orchestras

Before bebop, large outfits dominated the scene. Now a new generation of musicians is bringing back the tradition - and its sense of community

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Most jazz artists have what could be called the Big Band Dream. That dream is to lead between 12 and 20 musicians, comprising a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums and, sometimes, guitar), as well as trombones, trumpets and woodwinds. Together they make a mighty sound.

"It's always been a format I was excited by; it's a challenge and inspiring to work with so many instruments," says US saxophonist Steve Lehman. He recently collaborated with France's 17-strong Orchestre National de Jazz to create one of 2023's most adventurous releases, Ex Machina, a mesmerising album that deftly combines acoustic timbres with glitchy computer noise.

LA-based Lehman is not the only composerimproviser making remarkable music with a big band. His compatriots Henry Threadgill, Maria Schneider and John Hollenbeck all use it with daring wit, as do Dafnis Prieto, who is Cuban American, and Darcy James Argue and Daniel Hersog, both from Canada. Mats Gustafsson, from Sweden, leads the Fire! Orchestra, while some ensembles have earned seminal status.

The Sun Ra Arkestra continues to bring its cosmic vision to the world after seven decades, and Gary Crosby's Jazz Jamaica cooks up a danceable sound from the roots of reggae and ska.