A Bandleader is the director of a Big band, generally one which plays swing music. Most bandleaders also were performers with their own band. The bandleader role was dependent on a variety of skills, not just musicianship. A bandleader needed to be a music director, promoter, and performer. In general the bands were named after their Bandleaders. Some bands have continued operating under their Bandleaders names long after the death of the original bandleader.
Noted American bandleaders and their instruments include:
Cab Calloway - singer,
Jimmy Dorsey - Saxophone,
Tommy Dorsey - Trombone, Duke Ellington - Piano
Benny Goodman - Clarinet,
Woody Herman - Clarinet,
Glenn Miller - Trombone,
Artie Shaw - Clarinet,
Les Brown - Saxophone
