1. Home
  2. »
  3. Genres
  4. »
  5. Jazz
  6. »
  7. Big Band
  8. »
  9. Billy May

Billy May

Share
  • Overview
  • Albums
  • Tracks
  • Similar Artists
  • People
Billy May Radio

Top Tracks

More
  • Play
    Options
    Queue
    2:17
    The Odd Couple
  • Play
    Options
    Queue
    2:23
    This Room Is My Castle Of Quiet
  • Play
    Options
    Queue
    2:55
    It Happened in Sun Valley (Glenn Miller Version)
  • Play
    Options
    Queue
    2:13
    Say It Isn't So (Billy May Version)

Latest Albums

More
thumbnail
Play
Queue
Options

Grandes Orquestas Billy May

Dec 2011
thumbnail
Play
Queue
Options

Big Band Classics

Aug 2011

Biography

When Sinatra, Nat Cole, or Ella wanted the swinging-est Big Band charts around, they turned to Billy May -- a major arranger of the swing and pop eras known for coining the much copied "slurping sax" sound. Besides leading his own band, he worked for Charlie Barnet and Les Brown. May was famous for how fast he worked and he often cranked out superior big band charts moments before a recording session began.

Top Listeners

More
Mark Barclay
Reade Mitchell
Mark Barclay and Reade Mitchell have been listening to Billy May lately

Featured on Rhapsody

Similar Artists

More
  • Count Basie
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Glenn Miller
  • Henry Mancini
  • Les Brown
  • Nelson Riddle