''Big Band Special'' was a BBC Radio 2 series which launched in September 1979, as a showcase for the

BBC Big Band The BBC Big Band, originally known as the BBC Radio Big Band is a British big band, previously run under the auspices of the British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC). The band broadcasts exclusively on BBC Radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2's long ...

in session and in concert. Big Band Special was a 30-minute programme broadcast on Monday nights at 9.30pm and presented by

Clare Teal Clare Teal (born 14 May 1973) is an English singer and broadcaster who has become famous not only for her singing, but also for having signed the biggest recording contract by a British jazz singer. Biography Teal was brought up in the Kildwic ...

since April 2006. Big Band Special was also available to listen to for a further seven days following each broadcast via the BBC iPlayer.

History

Originally planned as a short run of 12 programmes, ''Big Band Special'' was the first jazz showcase on BBC Radio for the BBC Big Band. For most of its first decade, ''Big Band Special'' was made up of studio sessions featuring the

with guest vocalists and jazz soloists. From the 1990s onwards, concerts from all parts of the UK and beyond became a regular part of ''Big Band Special''. Presented by

Sheila Tracy Sheila Tracy (née Lugg; 10 January 1934 – 30 September 2014) was a British broadcaster, writer, musician, and singer. She began her career as a trombone player during the 1950s. in all-female bands. Biography Sheila Lugg was born in Mullion, ...

from 1979 until 2000, other presenters have included Stacey Kent (2001–2004) and

Helen Mayhew Helen Mayhew is a British radio presenter and producer, specialising in jazz music. Mayhew started with the BBC, and then moved to 102.2 Jazz FM at its launch, then rejoined the BBC where she presented her own weekly show, and finally returned t ...

(2004–2006). Jazz Singer Ian Shaw also presented editions of the programme. ''Big Band Special'' embraced a diverse mix of repertoire ranging from the 1930s sounds of Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and

Jimmie Lunceford James Melvin Lunceford (June 6, 1902 – July 12, 1947) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and bandleader in the swing era. Early life Lunceford was born on a farm in the Evergreen community, west of the Tombigbee River, near Fulton, Mi ...

, through the swing era to the modern sounds of leading jazz writers including

Francy Boland François Boland (6 November 1929 – 12 August 2005) was a classically trained Belgian jazz composer and pianist. He first gained notice in 1949 and worked with Belgian jazz greats like Bobby Jaspar, and in 1955 he joined Chet Baker's quintet. M ...

Bob Brookmeyer Robert Edward "Bob" Brookmeyer (December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011) was an American jazz valve trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of G ...

John Clayton John Clayton may refer to: Arts and entertainment Writing *John Clayton (architect) (died 1861), English architect and writer *John Bell Clayton and Martha Clayton, John Bell Clayton (c. 1907–1955), American writer *John Clayton (sportswriter) ( ...

Bob Florence Bob Florence (May 20, 1932 – May 15, 2008) was an American pianist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. Career A child prodigy, Florence began piano lessons before he was five years old and at seven gave his first recital. Although hi ...

, Steve Gray, Bill Holman, Jörg Achim Keller,

Rob McConnell Robert Murray Gordon "Rob" McConnell, (14 February 1935 – 1 May 2010) was a Canadian jazz trombonist, composer, and arranger.Jeff Sultanof. Experiencing Big Band Jazz: A Listener's Companion'. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 8 November 2 ...

and

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

. Conductors featured regularly on ''Big Band Special'' included American jazz trombonist

Jiggs Whigham Jiggs Whigham (born Oliver Haydn Whigham III; August 20, 1943) is an American jazz trombonist. Biography Born in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, he began his professional career at the age of 17, joining the Glenn Miller/Ray McKinley orchestra ...

, leading British arrangers Mark Nightingale and Steve Sidwell, the BBC Big Band's baritone saxophonist Jay Craig and Jöerg Achim Keller. In September 2013, BBC Radio 2 announced it would overhaul its schedule, merging its two Big Band themed programmes – ''Big Band Special'' and '' Sunday Night at 10'' – to create a two-hour show airing on Sunday evenings from 9–11pm. Like both its predecessors, this programme is also presented by Clare Teal.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Big Band Special, BBC BBC Radio 2 programmes British music radio programmes 1979 radio programme debuts 2013 radio programme endings