Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington - these and more were the American idols of the golden era of the big bands. This is the ultimate guide to American big bands, with over 650 entries spanning the entire history of this uniquely American musical style. It's a comprehensive, chronological investigation of these bands in the United States, canvassing the entire 20th century. Each entry contains the name of the band, its leader, essential personnel, the years it existed, top hits, and a brief description of the band. Whether you use it as a reference tool or simply as an enjoyable read, you will find this book fascinating!