What Makes a Great Band Leader?

Mar

7

What Makes a Great Band Leader?

≡ Category: Loose Talk |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

WHAT MAKES A GREAT BAND LEADER?

This question has been on my mind a lot lately because, as I start to write reviews of all the essential jazz releases of the last 50 years or so, it dawned on me that a disproportionate number of fantastic musicians have descended from the same two or three bands. I began to think about why that is, and I came to the conclusion that it has to do with the leaders of those bands.

So, what makes a great band leader? It’s not as easy a question as it seems. There are many types of great band leaders. Let’s explore them, from least to greatest.

FIRST LEVEL

In order to make it into the club at all, you have to have at least one great band to your credit. What makes a great band? You need to have a unique concept or, failing that, take an existing concept to rarely achieved heights. Your band members need to support that concept with thundering success. An example of this type of band leader would be Bill Bruford. His band with Allan Holdsworth is the epitome of the Canterbury scene pop/jazz hybrid, and produced two superlative recordings. Bruford has never fronted another band this great, as far as I know.

SECOND LEVEL

If you want to step up to the next level, you have to consistently front great bands. McCoy Tyner is the best example of this level. During his Blue Note period, almost all of his bands were great, and the same was true for his bands from his Milestone period.

THIRD LEVEL

You have to consistently front great bands AND be an incubator for young talent that goes on to greatness. A lesser known example of this kind of bandleader is Dave Liebman. He fronted Lookout Farm in the 70s, two one-shot bands on his release Homage to John Coltrane in the 80s, and another one-shot on Trio+1, all inarguably great. John Scofield and Jim Beard both apprenticed in his bands.

FOURTH LEVEL

To meet this rarified level, you have to consistently front great bands and be an incubator for young talent that in turn consistently fronts great bands that serve as an incubator for young talent. The obvious example of this is Miles Davis. A less obvious example is Elvin Jones, who really hit his stride as a bandleader during his years with the Blue Note label–there’s not a mediocre release in the bunch. Players that passed through his band include Chick Corea, Jan Hammer, Dave Liebman, and Steve Grossman.