Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Pioneers

Donald Macleod and trumpeter Guy Barker focus on the pioneers of the big band sound, including Fletcher Henderson and Paul Whiteman.

During the London Jazz Festival this week Donald Macleod is joined by jazz trumpeter, composer and conductor Guy Barker to look at the story of Big Band Jazz. From pioneers like Fletcher Henderson, the superstars of swing Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, to Dizzy Gillespie and Gil Evans, they explore the development of the art of arranging for big band from the 1920s onwards, and the contributions of the key figures involved over the decades.

In the first programme this week Donald Macleod looks at the pioneers of the big band sound, including Fletcher Henderson and Paul Whiteman, with the help of Guy Barker. While Henderson helped to establish the model for big band arranging for the next two decades, Whiteman created a show band and aimed to take jazz into the concert halls.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 17 Nov 2014 18:30

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • O Mmelrose

    Sugar Foot Stomp

    Performer: Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra.
    • Columbia.
    • C3K57596.
  • Henderson

    Henderson Stomp

    Performer: Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra.
    • Columbia.
    • C3K57596.
  • Fats Waller

    Whiteman Stomp

    Performer: Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra.
    • Columbia.
    • C3K57596.
  • Henry Busse, Henry Lange, Lou Davis & Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra

    Hot Lips

    • RCA VICTOR.
    • RD7954.
  • Nick LaRocca

    New Tiger Rag

    Performer: Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.
    • Columbia.
    • CL2228.
  • Redman

    Chant of the Weed

    Performer: Don Redman Orchestra.
    • TPZ.
    • 1043.
  • Beiderbecke

    In A Mist

    Performer: Bix Beiderbecke.
    • ASV.
    • CD AJA 5080.
  • Beiderbecke

    In A Mist

    Performer: Freddie Hubbard.
    • CTI.
    • CTL-11.
  • Duke Ellington

    East St Louis Toodle-Do

    Performer: Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.
    • Vocalion.
    • V5001.
  • Spike Hughes

    Firebird

    Performer: Spike Hughes All American Orchestra.
    • Decca.
    • LK-4173.
  • Patrick Cairns Hughes

    Nocturne

    Performer: Spike Hughes and his All American Orchestra.
    • Decca.
    • LK4173.
  • Morton

    KING PORTER STOMP

    Performer: Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra.
    • Columbia.
    • C3K57596.
  • Morton

    King Porter Stomp

    Performer: The Gil Evans Orchestra.
    • CDP EMI.
    • 7468552.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Nov 2012 12:00
  • Mon 12 Nov 2012 18:30
  • Mon 17 Nov 2014 12:00
  • Mon 17 Nov 2014 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.