A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from 1935 until the late 1940s. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 19 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. The terms jazz band, stage band, jazz orchestra, and dance band are also used to refer to this type of ensemble.is your source for memories of the best of the Big Band Era. Join us each week as we explore the world of Big Bands, Jazz, and the Blues only on Big Band Times.