BBC Big Band

Building on the strong links with Symphony Hall, the BBC Big Band is a partner with Performances Birmingham as Associate Artists of Town Hall, Birmingham.

Britain’s finest big band played six concerts at Town Hall in the first season, with six more scheduled for the current season, all to be recorded for BBC Radio 2. The Band also played a prominent part in the Town Hall Re-opening Festival concerts. Members of the Band also participate in education and workshop performances.

The BBC Big Band is probably best known for its regular Monday night radio show, Big Band Special on BBC Radio 2, as well as on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up. It also reaches worldwide audiences through the World Service and with the BBC iplayer on the internet.

The Band has played with stars such as George Benson, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Tony Bennett, George Shearing, Michel Legrand, Cleo Laine, Lalo Schifrin, Michael McDonald and Ray Charles. The Band regularly features on the UK festival circuit, and concert tours with major artists have regularly taken the band abroad. This season’s guest artists at Town Hall include Ian Shaw and Jack Bruce.

BBC Big Band events