Bandleader

Abandleaderis the leader of a music group such as adance band,rock or pop bandorjazz quartet.The term is most commonly used with a group that playspopular musicas a small combo or abig band,such as one which playsjazz,blues,rhythm and bluesorrock and rollmusic.Most bandleaders are also performers with their own band, either as singers or as instrumentalists, playing an instrument such as electric guitar, piano, or other instruments.

TheGlenn Miller Orchestra,led byGlenn Miller(front and center)

Roles

The bandleader must have a variety of musical skills. A bandleader needs to be a music director who chooses the "setlist" (the list of songs that will be played in a show), sets the tempo for each song and starts each song (often by "counting in" ), leads the start of new sections of songs (e.g., signalling for the start of aguitar soloordrum solo) and leads the endings of each song. The bandleader is also onstage with the group, so they have to be a strong performer on lead vocals or an instrument. The bandleader also needs to have a good general knowledge of the different parts played by all therhythm sectioninstruments (guitar, keyboards, electric bass, drum kit) and solo instruments (e.g., lead guitar, saxophone, etc.), as they have toauditionprospective new members of the band and lead rehearsals. The bandleader also typically selects new songs for the group, particularly if the group is acover bandor atribute band.In some cases, the bandleader may manage other aspects of the band, such as organizing tours andsound recordingsessions. Some bandleaders are also composers and songwriters for their group.

Often the bands are named after their bandleaders, or thebacking bandis given its own name, distinct from the bandleader (e.g.,Bruce Springsteenand theE Street BandorElvis CostelloandThe Attractions). Some older bands such asThe Count Basie Orchestrahave continued operating under their bandleaders' names long after the death of the original bandleader.

See also

• Bandmaster

Further reading

• Whiteman, Paul and Lieber, Leslie – How to Be a Bandleader (New York City: Robert M. McBride & Company, 1948)