Evolution of a Genre : Example Assignment

Evolution of a Genre
Jazz Big Band : 1920's -- Present

Duke Ellington - Jubilee Stomp (1928)

Instrumentation - Trumpet/Saxophone/Trombone (1-3 of Each), Drums, Piano, Upright Bass

The "Big Band" is defined by its instrumentation of Multiple Horns with a rhythm Section
At this point, The biggest purpose of the big band is as accompanying music for Swing Dance ( There was very poor recording technology at this point, and almost no amplification , so there had to be live music for all dancing)
Some other Early Players : Fletcher Henderson , Harry James , County Basie

In Between......

1930's

40's

50's

Frank Sinatra - Fly me the Moon (1964)

Instrumentation - Much Larger - More Horns , Possibly Strings, Much Louder Recording, and now with the introduction of Vocals as the main featured instrument . This was an influence of other popular music at the time (early Rock and Roll , RnB, Country ETC)
- Part of this is as a result of new technology, for in 1920 good microphone / amplification technology was less available.
Big Band is now very much a popular music form, and has officially moved away from the 'Dance Band' era. Other Contemporary performers such as Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis jr. are selling out large Theatres of audience members coming specifically to see them perform. This is different from playing in a Dance Hall where the band was there as background music.

In Between....

Late 60's

70's

80's

Airmen Of Note - Spain (2007)

Much Bigger Sound, Louder Sound. Instrumentation has not changed much from the 60's (although this song omits the singer and strings)
Much More intricate composition, much longer song.
We can hear a much more refined set of musical skills from the both the musicians and the composer. This is MUCH faster, and there are far more notes to be played.
This is definitely not about dancing , as the tempo would be way to fast for any dance tune. This is about showing off Artistic Skill.
Many different instruments take a soloist roll, contrasting with the 60's where the feature instrument the entire time was vocals. Now it is really more about showing off the band as a whole.
Another thing to note is that this song is a Big Band Version of a song called "Spain" that was released in the 70's

Very Current Example

Some Concluding Thoughts:

One thing I noticed is that by the time we are in the mid 70's / 80's, as far as the popular genre goes, the evolution seems to halt substantially. By this time there is influence of Funk / Rock / other popular music genres, and its doesn't seem to branch out much from these in later decades . (except for in obscure, experimental examples which most likely did not sell very many records----->>>>>>)
For me, Big Band really start coming into it's own around the 1950's when it becomes it's own art form and music genre, rather than a byproduct or something attached to Swing Dance.
What is TRUE Big Band Music? I think the best examples of authentic big band music can be found in the 50's/60's. This is when the music flourished and became it's own art form. Some else could argue that the True Music was when people were dancing to it in the 30's, but I consider that more of a predecessor ( like field hollers -> Blues)