big band

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A large dance or jazz band usually featuring improvised solos by lead players.

Wiktionary

1. n. A large dance or jazz band of 10 to 30 musicians usually featuring improvised solos by lead players, but otherwise playing orchestrated music.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. a band that is the size of an orchestra, usually playing mostly jazz or swing music. The big band typically features both ensemble and solo playing, sometimes has a lead singer, and is often located in a night club where the patrons may dance to its music. The big bands were popular from the late 1920's to the 1940's. Contrasted with combo, which has fewer players.
2. A band that is the size of an orchestra, usually playing mostly jazz or swing music. The big band typically features both ensemble and solo playing, sometimes has a lead singer, and is often located in a night club where the patrons may dance to its music. The big bands were popular from the late 1920's to the 1940's. Contrasted with combo, which has fewer players.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a large dance or jazz band usually featuring improvised solos by lead musicians