There are two types of artists which are known as "Big Band": 1) 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.